ZACHARIAH is a biblical name so we shouldn't be surprised that Zach Johnson thanked everyone with ecclesiastical connections barring the Rev Ian Paisley following his US Masters victory.

As it was Easter Sunday he observed that the resurrection was the most important thing, and he wasn't referring to Justin Rose's brave comeback following a disastrous start to the final round.

We heard similar things 20 years ago from Larry Mize, who was perhaps the last fluke winner of the Masters, in which the cream invariably rises to the top. The prayers he offered around Amen Corner may have helped him to hole a 20-yard chip to beat Greg Norman in a play-off, but they do not appear to have brought him much further success.

It's a similar story with Paul Lawrie, Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton, who have provided a surprisingly high proportion of fluke winners in the last eight Opens. Where was Lawrie in the world rankings published this week? Nowhere to be seen.

Johnson may, of course, prove to be no flash in the pan. But, as we saw with Curtis, these clean-cut American college kids who emerge from obscurity to grab a major as though through divine inspiration tend to return just as quickly into the pack.

The real master at Augusta was Peter Allis, who may occasionally be betrayed by advancing years but still has few peers as a commentator in any sport. He provides wit and wisdom and is not shy of social comment, such as: "Thank-you for sharing that with us," when Tiger Woods spat angrily.

Gary Lineker's presence as anchor man, on the other hand, is deeply irritating. I'm quite happy for him to be the voice of football, and I applaud his sarcasm, or whatever it was that the FA blamed for their decision to award England internationals to ITV.

But just because the BBC see Lineker as a celebrity it doesn't mean he can enhance the coverage of golfing majors, where he comes across as nothing more than a lapdog to those with greater knowledge. In one of his chats with Allis, the veteran was in lyrical flow, offering observations which were clearly far too profound for Lineker, who put a stop to it with a vacuous comment on the weather.

IT'S National week. First it was Augusta National, then the Irish National, and tomorrow the Grand National. The first two were linked by Butler's Cabin, which is where the handing over of the winner's green jacket is carried out at the Masters. It was also the name of the horse which won at Fairyhouse on Monday, ridden by Tony McCoy.

Will McCoy now provide a link with Aintree, where he will ride L'Ami hoping to end years of frustration in the big event? Or will Wensleydale trainer Ferdy Murphy have his revenge after his horse, Nine de Sivola, finished second at Fairyhouse?

A number of withdrawals this week have allowed Murphy's Joe's Edge into the line-up and he'll be the one carrying my 50p each-way investment.

AFTER such a convincing thrashing of mighty Bangladesh, the England cricketers can now march into the World Cup semi-finals by beating South Africa next Tuesday and the West Indies four days later. It would help if South Africa lost to New Zealand tomorrow as they're the ones England have to pip for fourth place as they build inexorably to their peak.

If they somehow get their timing wrong and come a cropper on Tuesday they will still have to hang around to play the hosts in a meaningless contest which will end six weeks of frustrating under-achievement for both sides.

They will then meet again in four Tests, starting at Lord's on May 17 and climaxing at Chester-le-Street on June 15. At least that gives England the chance to get back to what they are reasonably good at, but for the West Indies the opportunity to reinvigorate the game appears to have gone. Both their own performances and the absence of a carnival atmosphere from a sadly sanitised World Cup have dealt Caribbean cricket a very sad blow.