It’s Master’s week. If you’ve read the blog in the past you know we’ll check in on golf especially during the 4 majors, and this is one of those times. Let’s preview the top 10 contenders for the first major of the year.
1. Jason Day
Jason Day has always been a world class golfer, but since the middle of last year he’s shown another gear. He can just over power golf courses. Day just won the recent World Match Play and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He also won his first major at the PGA last year. With 2 Top 4 Finishes at the Masters, we know the course suits Day’s game. He is going to be tough to beat this week.
2. Rory Mcilory
When Rory Mcilory is playing his best golf, nobody in the world can touch him. The problem is his best has been rather sporadic the last year. That’s why I’ve put Day ahead of Mcilory. He’s a four-time major winner, but he’s never won the Masters. It is the one major that has eluded him. He did finish T4 last year, and even not playing his best he can win this tournament.
3. Bubba Watson
I don’t care how Bubba Watson comes in playing, for the next few years he’s going to be on the short list on of pre-tournament favorites at the Masters. Already a 2-Time winner of the event, Watson length is a big advantage at Augusta. He won the Northern Trust Open earlier this year.
4. Adam Scott
Adam Scott had a stretch in late February to early March where he went T2, 1 and 1. He won the Honda Classic and the Cadillac Championship. His ball-striking is second to none. It all depends how he putts, and he can be a bit streaky in that regard. If he gets the putter going, the rest of his game will give him a great chance.
5. Jordan Spieth
The defending Masters champion hasn’t quite been as red-hot as he was last year, but he still has just one result outside of the top 25 this calendar year. He is arguably the world’s most gifted putter, which as we know is critically important at Augusta. I think you’ll see Spieth get into contention this week.
6. Phil Mickelson
Who is leading the tour this year in scoring? It’s Phil Mickelson at 69.008. At age 45, he is playing some of his most consistent golf in years. He hasn’t won yet, but he has 3 top 5 finishes this year, and 6 top 20s. If he can avoid the big number that’s kept him from the winner circle, he can certainly win a 4th Masters. He has a kool 15 top 10s at the Masters including a T2 last year. 30 years after Jack Nicklaus won a Masters at age 46, Mickelson is a real threat going into this year.
7. Dustin Johnson
I call Dustin Johnson the right-handed Bubba Watson. At times he can just blow a course away with his power. Watson has the 2 majors, and Johnson has none. I can’t imagine Johnson goes his career without winning 2 or 3 majors. Last year was his first top 10 at the Masters. I think you’ll see Johnson make another run this year for a Green Jacket.
8. Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler has become one of the world’s best players. There is no question about that. The only thing his resume lacks is a major. He’s had a top 15s the last two Masters. He won twice on tour last year. He’s ranked 5th in the world, and he puts together top 10s like clock work. He has all the tools to win a major, and at 27 he has plenty of time. Fowler needs that major to join Mcilory, Day, Spieth grouping though.
9. Brandt Snedeker
Brandt Snedeker has contended at the Master’s before with a couple of Top 10s in 2008 and 2013. He won earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open and is currently ranked 3rd in the Fed Ex standings. He could sneak in and contend with some of the guys in the top 8 on this list. I feel very good about saying at least 3 of the top 8 on this list will finish in the top 10.
10. Patrick Reed
If you are looking for a darkhorse pick, Patrick Reed might be your guy. He’s volatile player, but he played at nearby Augusta State University and had a top 25 at the Masters last year. He has moved to 10th in the world, after some solid play this year.
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