Nothing quite means the beginning of golf season more than Masters Week. With that time of year upon us, The Hackers Paradise decided to have one of their writers give you some thoughts on the players competing and his thoughts on who stands a chance. This week Caleb C. tackles Augusta and finishes
The 75th Masters tournament begins this week. I take a look at who are the favorites, the contenders, the pretenders and the dark horses:
Favorites
Tiger Woods
To say that Tiger sent a message to the PGA Tour when he won at Bay Hill would be an understatement. Similar to that commercial where giddy PGA Tour players are hanging out and having fun in a locker room until Tiger arrives, the message was clear when the light bulbs flashed and the winning putt dropped on the 18th hole: I’m back and I am better than ever. Tiger shoots for his 15th career major and fifth Masters title. If there is anyone who thinks he can’t do it, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Phil Mickelson
Two-time PGA Tour Winner in 2009 (Northern Trust Open and the WGC CA Championship), Phil’s game is peaking and he might be poised for another green jacket. Despite missing the cut at the Shell Houston Open, Phil’s driving (Top 20 in driving distance thru Arnold Palmer Invitational) coupled with his short game make him a solid favorite.
Geoff Ogilvy
An early candidate for PGA Tour Player of the Year, Ogilvy has won twice this year (Mercedes Benz Championship and WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship) and looks like a prime candidate to win in Augusta. The last time Ogilvy won the WGC Matchplay Championship in 2005, he won the U.S. Open. The Aussie is hoping history repeats itself as he guns for his second major.
Retief Goosen
Perhaps the prettiest swing on tour, two-time major winner Retief Goosen is always a threat to win. His most impressive showing was a win at the Transitions Championship – a course in championship-like conditions (narrow fairways, deep greenside rough and firm, fast greens). In order for Goosen to win in Augusta, he will need to hit more fairways (currently 110th in driving accuracy) and recapture some of the putter magic that helped him win at Southern Hills in 2001 and Shinnecock Hills in 2004.
Padraig Harrington
Have you ever played golf with a buddy who seems to only play well when money is on the line? I have a friend who plays exactly to his 15 handicap when we are playing a meaningless round, yet as soon as he knows there is money on the line, he morphs into a ball striking and putting machine. So much so, that I refer to him as “Paddy.” The real Paddy is also non-existent during the year but somehow turns it on when a major is on the line. Shooting for the Paddy Slam, the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year hasn’t finished inside the top-25 this year, thus is a good bet to win at Augusta.
Contenders
Camilo Villegas
Leads the PGA Tour in Greens in Regulation and averages 293 yards per drive. Villegas has finished in the top 10 three times this year including a T3 at the Buick Invitational.
Rory McIlroy
This kid is the “Real McIlroy.” Winner of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy has recorded three top-five finishes this year (two on the EPGA Tour) and has been praised by other PGA Tour players for his natural ability. At 19 years old, don’t count out Rory, who won’t be intimidated.
Kenny Perry
Who can ignore the success that KP has had in the so called “twilight” of his career. Perry’s resurgence, which included multiple victories and a Ryder Cup berth last year, continued in the desert where he won the FBR Open. At 48, KP still has some pop with the driver (top 25 in driving distance). Capturing a major at this point in his career would be the ultimate.
Paul Casey
If you believe in momentum, Casey is a very strong pick to win at Augusta. Coming off a win at the Shell Houston Open, Casey is playing at an extremely high level this season, which started off with a bang when he won the Abu Dhabi Championship. Last year at the Masters, he positioned himself to win with opening rounds of 71-69-69 before a final round 79 that dropped him to a T11 finish.
Others to consider:
Jim Furyk
VJ Singh
Henrik Stenson
Zach Johnson
Pretenders
Sergio Garcia
Until he proves me wrong, you won’t see me choose the Spaniard to win a major. Since a T4 finish at Augusta in 2004, Garcia has missed the cut three out of the last four years.
Trevor Immelman
Since last year’s Masters win, Immelman hasn’t even sniffed a PGA Tour win. Other than a busy week of press conferences and appearances Monday-Wednesday, don’t expect to hear much from Trevor when the tournament begins.
Ben Curtis
Missed the cut four out of the last five years at Augusta.
Dark Horses
Sean O’Hair
Made seven out of eight cuts this year with four top-10 finishes (including a heart-breaking runner up finish to Tiger). T14 finish last year in Augusta.
Nick Watney
Other than Rory McIlroy, Watney has been one of the more surprising young stars to emerge this year. Winner of the Buick Invitational, Watney has made all eight cuts and has three top 10’s including a runner-up finish at the WGC-CA Championship. T11 finish in 2008 Masters.
Jeev Milkah Singh
Three top-25 finishes including a 4th place finish at WGC-CA Championship.
The Hackers Paradise and Taylormade Golf are proud to announce we are running an amazing contest for this event. You can read all about it in our forum. The official rules are listed there and we hope everybody has a great time with this. The top three will receive prizes in this contest.
1st Place – Taylormade R9 Driver & Taylormade Masters Hat
2nd Place – 1 Dozen Taylormade TP Red & Masters Hat
3rd Place – Taylormade Masters Hat
You can read all about these great prizes at Taylormade. Let me know your thoughts and Masters predictions in the comments below.
Caleb C.
