Futures Market: March 10

This is the beginning of new feature where we'll examine some of the available futures wagers out there highlight a few that could be profitable.

Matt Kuchar, 16-1 to win a major in 2011, 33-1 top-20 in all four majors, 125-1, top-10 in all four majors. I think taking Kuchar at 16-1 in any tournament would be an okay play, add in three additional ones -- even if they are the majors -- and it's only heightened. As for the other two plays, one of the best assets Kuchar has is his consistency. As a matter of fact, he wasn't that far off from achieving top-20 in all four last year by posting T25, T6, T27 and T10.

Nick Watney, 25-1 to win the Masters. In three appearances at the Masters, Watney has posted three top-20 finishes, including a solo seventh last year. While he may have fired a final round 81 that took him from the 54-hole lead at last year's PGA Championship into a T18, it could ultimately be a good learning experience for the 30-year old. After all there is some precedent for that. While not in the same year, Mike Weir went from a share of the 54-hole lead at the 1999 PGA Championship. After a final round 80, he had to settle for a T10.

Anthony Kim, 66-1 to win the U.S. Open. After wrist surgery last year, Kim has not gotten off to the start this year he was probably hoping for. But, for me, it's hard to ignore his scintillating 65 in the final round of last year's Masters that propelled him to a solo 3rd place finish. Simply put, he has major championship chops and he's performed well in the American national championship, never finishing worse than T26. He also has a win at Congressional, firing a final round 65 to win the AT&T National in 2008.

Steve Stricker, 50-1 to win the Masters. At Augusta National, you have to be able to do a lot of things well, but it seems like if you do a couple of things exceptionally -- your putting and wedge play -- you can compete. Stricker has long been known as a tremendous putter and wedge player, as evidenced this year by his ability to play nearly a third of a stroke under par when facing approach shots of 50-125 yards. He's been cut at the Masters five times, but whenever he does make the cut he finishes in the top-40 and twice in the top-10.

Y.E. Yang, 100-1 to win the Masters, 40-1 to win a major. How's this for stat: in five events this year, the '09 PGA Champion already has one more top-10 (three) than he had last year. It's pretty hard to believe he struggled the way he did last year, given how unflappable he was in yanking that title away from Tiger Woods as Hazeltine. He obviously has the type of game and demeanour to win a major title and he finished T8 at Augusta last year.

Bubba Watson, 50-1 to win the Masters. It's amazing how much difference a little confidence can make but in Watson's case, it's made all the difference. After a breakthrough victory last year he has: contended in a major, made the Ryder Cup team, won again and made a serious run during a big-field WGC event. He's only played the Masters twice but he's never missed the cut. A lot of holes at Augusta set up for a right to left shot and you can't help but think he can do some damage on those par fives.

Charl Schwartzel, 66-1 top-20 in all four majors. It might seem a little out there for a guy who has never seriously contended in a major, at least, until you look at his 2010 results in the majors: T30, T16, T14, T18. He's got a lot of game and at age 26 is poised for a good career. He already boasts seven career professional wins with with three in the last 15 months.