As a sports fan, it’s hard to think of a better time of year. The NHL and NBA playoffs are just around the corner; the baseball season is starting; March Madness is under way; and perhaps the highlight of all of this is the Masters. As always, there are lots of interesting story lines, but all of them seem to be in the shadow of Tiger Woods. Tiger has finally regained his number one ranking and looks primed to break his major drought. However, there are lots of worthy contenders looking to spoil the party.
Here’s how I see it.
The Favourite…
Tiger Woods – Tiger has 4 wins, but none since 2005. Having said this, he has only finished outside the top 10 at Augusta once since 2005 (2012). He has also won three times in his last 4 stroke play events. I think it’s safe to call him the favourite, but having not won a major since 2008, the pressure will be on.
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The Contenders…
Phil Mickelson – The player with the best record at the Masters in the last 10 years is actually not Tiger Woods. Phil has finished outside the top 7 only twice in the last 14 years including 3 wins. He’s had an up and down year, but it’s the Masters and he is the clear second choice to Tiger.
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Justin Rose – He is probably the hottest player in the world not named Tiger Woods. He has four top 8’s in his last five stroke play events worldwide. He’s ranked third in the world and has finished T8 and T11 in his last 2 Masters. .
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Ian Poulter – Poulter has two top 10’s at Augusta in the last three years. He also has five top 10’s in his last eight events worldwide. Add this to his impressive 2012 major record that included three top 10’s.
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Keegan Bradley – 2012 was Keegan’s first Masters appearance and he finished T27. He has finished in the top 10 in his last four PGA Tour events and his game fits Augusta perfectly. He hits it a mile and putts well; a good recipe for success at the Masters.
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Graeme McDowell – Graeme finished T12 at last year’s Masters which was his worst finish in a major last year. This combined with three top 10’s in his last four events makes him a real threat to put on his first green jacket.
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Adam Scott – Adam has two straight top 10’s at Augusta including a runner-up in 2011. He also has two top 10’s in his last four events on the PGA Tour. If he can put his British Open disappointment behind him, he could win his first Major.
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Brandt Snedeker – He was the hottest player in the world and the favourite for the Masters until he hurt his ribs in February. He had four top 3’s including the win at Pebble Beach. He has missed both cuts since his return from the injury, but he loves Augusta and could definitely win.
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Charl Schwartzel – The 2011 champ is playing well again after injury troubles. He is currently second in the Race to Dubai and has two top 10’s in his three PGA Tour starts this year. His worst finish was 16th.
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Big names with some question marks…
Rory McIlroy – He really isn’t playing very well right now. However, he is Rory as we learned at the PGA last summer.
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Bubba Watson – The defending champ is playing well this year. If he putts well he should contend again. Defending champ has some distractions at the Masters.
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Dustin Johnson – Has never played very well at Augusta, but he has played well the last two weeks on tour and his game suits the golf course.
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Rickie Fowler – Has played very well this year, but has struggled in final rounds. Interesting to see if he can keep it together on Sunday.
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Luke Donald – He should be a factor in more majors, but he has been inconsistent in the big events.
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Sergio Garcia – Withdrew at the Arnold Palmer, but his worst finish otherwise in a stroke play event is T13 worldwide. Can he finally get his Major Championship?
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Good office pool picks…
Angel Cabrera – Finished T16 last week at the Shell. The 2009 champ is always a threat.
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Jason Day – Runner-Up in 2011. Three top 10’s this year and he’s healthy again.
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Henrik Stenson – T8 and T2 in last two PGA Tour events.
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Fredrik Jacobson – Three top 10’s in five events this year and T19 finish in last year’s Masters.
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Enjoy the tournament!
Rob Brandon
Director of Golf























