I love college basketball. The tournament was fantastic this year though the final game left a lot to be desired. Still, there were some classic games in the tourney and it was highly enjoyable.
But the Masters fires me up even more. I know there are a lot of golfers on this blog who feel the same way. Nothing like Augusta on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and particularly Sunday afternoon, the back nine. There have been some  finishes for the ages. Jack in ’86 winning his sixth Green Jacket and 18th Major at 46 years old. On the last 10 holes, Jack was seven under par with six birdies and an eagle. His 18 footer for birdie on number 17 when he raised his putter in one of the most classic reactions in golf history, capped an eagle, birdie, birdie run on 15, 16 and 17. Pretty amazing stuff from the greatest champion of all time.

Greg Norman’s colossal collapse in 1996 was one that I’ll never forget. He had a six shot lead going into Sunday and proceeded to shoot a 78. Nick Faldo shot a 67 and won by five shots over Norman. Kind of the pattern of Norman’s career. He just couldn’t get it done in the clutch. It was pretty painful to watch, but Norman has been a bad guy of late, having an affair with Chris Everett while both of them were married and stealing her from his best friend, Everett’s husband. Norman and Everett later divorced. Don’t feel that bad for one of the biggest chokers of all time.

I have to say, Eldrick’s incredible run in 1997 when he shot -18 to win going away and shooting the lowest score in Masters’ history was really entertaining. He was 21, the youngest Masters champion ever, and he was the first African American to win a Major.

Phil’s victory in 2004 was one of the greatest back nines in Masters’ history. Phil and Ernie were going toe to toe albeit on separate holes. But Phil’s 18 footer on 18 was one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever seen in golf. Phil played incredible golf on the back side with five birdies and Ernie was almost as good.

Eldrick’s chip in on 16 to win the Masters in 2005 was incredible. He was at the height of his clutchness, but he had been clutch for quite a while. Where has that gone? Probably with his wife who couldn’t put up with all the affairs. Everybody wants him to get it back, but I kind of think it’s poetic justice that he hasn’t gotten it back. He doesn’t have the character of Nicklaus. He doesn’t deserve to break his record. He’s still got a shot, but not sure if he’ll ever get that clutch ability back.

I thought the 2009 Masters was pretty special. Forty eight year old Kenny Perry had a chance to be the oldest Masters champion, but he bogeyed 17 and 18 and fell into a three way tie with 2007 U.S. Open Champion Angel Cabrera and Chad Campbell. Cabrera outlasted the other two to capture his second Major with some beautiful putting.

Here are the 10 guys who I think can win it this year:

1. Phil Mickelson: Played terrific golf last week at Houston winning that title. Going for his fourth Masters title. Pretty impressive  victories in ’04, ’06 and last year. Been close to a dominant golfer over the last eight years. If Phil can win again at Augusta that would be his fifth Major title with his other coming at the ’05 PGA. If he can somehow scratch out a U.S. or British to go along with those wins, he would be considered one of the greatest of all time. Probably on Faldo, Seve level right now, but with a win here and a couple of other Majors, Phil might move ahead of Arnie in greatest golfers of all time. He sure has that Arnie charisma. If he’s in the hunt on the back nine Sunday, he’ll have 30,000 people behind him that’s for sure.

2.Graeme McDowell: I just like this guy’s demeanor on the course. Was so impressive in the U.S. Open last year winning it with a clutch par on 18 and I saw him go toe to toe with Tiger at the Chevron in California and beat him in a playoff with some beautiful birdie putts. He’s straight and long enough off the tee, probably about 285-290, he’s got the mental makeup and he’s an awesome putter. Has what it takes to win at Augusta.

3. Tiger Woods: Can’t leave him off this list. He’s won four times here, so that says a lot. Whether his swing is any better is debatable. One pro said his swing is so flat that it’s coming from one of his side pockets on his pants. But he’s got a shot. Someone said there’s going to be some point where he’s going to get hot and get it all back and Augusta is a place where he has thrived in the past. Played outstanding golf here last year in his first tournament back from his four month hiatus finishing tied for fourth. He’s got a shot. It’s far from a slam dunk like it used to be, but you can’t count him out.

4. Anthony Kim: Love this guy. He’s got the whole package and that Asian mental toughness that is required at the Masters. He’s got the length to eagle the par fives, he finished third last year and I think he’s ready to step up. A very good putter. I think AK is ready to stake a claim to a Major more than any of the younger golfers today. Think he’s a little mentally tougher than the rest of those 20 somethings. Tied for third last year and finished in the top five in last week’s Shell Houston.

5. Nick Watney:  I think he’s got a shot to win it. Got all the shots in his bag and can handle pressure well. Won at Doral and just seems to have that tough, focused demeanor that can handle any hiccups on the course. Can get hot too and go on a run. Young, long and a great putter. This guy should be in the hunt.

6. Bubba Watson: I don’t consider Bubba like the other young guys because he’s been in the wars for a while now and I consider him somewhat of a veteran. Another guy who can get hot and get it done. He’s strong minded which I think is so important at Augusta. He almost won the PGA last year in a fierce battle that Martin Kaymer won. He won at Torrey Pines earlier this year which plays like Augusta; pretty long and difficult greens. Bubba is the complete package. If he’d practice a little more, Bubba could win multiple Majors.

7. Ernie Els: Still think Ernie has some talent still left in the tank. He’s also got years of experience. Long and when that putter is on, he’s excellent. Not counting Ernie out.

8.Angel Cabrera: Not had a great year, but I think he puts it together in this one. Has the length for the par fives and is a tremendous putter. I know I keep going back to those aspects of the game, but that wins you this tournament. Angel has a great short game overall. Great touch. He should be in there.

9. Matt Kuchar: He was the next great thing about 12 years ago. He was predicted to dominate when he came out of Georgia Tech. He never did that but he’s found a resurgence in his early 30’s. Won Barclay’s in the Fed Ex Cup series last September and has played solid this year. He’s made all eight cuts of the tournaments he’s entered this year with six top 10’s. He’s so familiar with Augusta having grown up in the area and played it well in that past. Like this guy’s chances.

10. Rory Sabatini: Think he’s got a real shot. Won at Honda this year and is just a solid player. Looks a little surly out on the course; kind of has that Jay Cutler look about him. But he is  an exceptional player and has a lot of experience. Can get really hot and putts very well. He can make a run and capture a jacket.

I haven’t mentioned a lot of the young guys like Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson because I just don’t think these guys can win it. Just don’t know if they ever will win a Major. McIlroy is still very young and while he has won at Greensboro with an incredible final round, I just don’t know if he’s ready to win a Major. He may be in the future, but not right now.

Dustin Johnson can’t seem to get it done in the clutch. He comes close and was within a questionable ruling of winning the PGA last year, so he’s got the game. But I don’t know if he’s ready to get it done either. Has the length and is a pretty good putter, but I think he gets tight in the clutch. He’s a guy who could get it done, I just don’t think he will this year.

Rickie Fowler has a lot of talent, I just don’t see that mental toughness yet to win a Major. It’s just missing from his game right now. He seems a little too flaky to me to be taken seriously on Sunday at the Masters. Maybe it’s the way he dresses. Don’t think he’ll get it done.

I think the Asians could do well: K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang and Ryo Ishakawa all have the game and mental toughness. So I see those guys with a shot.

Other guys like Johnson Wagner, Aaron Baddeley and Luke Donald could be factors.

But those are my 10 who I think can get it done this week. Should be another awesome weekend at Augusta as it always is. The weather looks very promising, so the scores could be better pretty good this year. Hope you enjoy it.

(Phil wants to wear his fourth Green Jacket; AK will try to win his first.)