Can Tiger Woods capture his 5th Green Jacket in this amazing comeback (Photo, tigerwoods.com).
Augusta National Golf Club, 7,435 yards,, par 72
Defending champion: Sergio Garcia
Weather: Sunny Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Temperatures anywhere from 70 to 78 on Thursday and Friday respectively to the low 60’s on Sunday. There will be some wind, 7-10 on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and very windy, 16-25 on Saturday. Saturday looks a little sketchy weather-wise with rain and a heavier t storm possible. No. 12 is always a key hole with the wind. The 155 yard, par 3 requires precision to hit the green and the wind is always swirling, so club selection is at a premium.
TV: Thursday-Friday, 2-6:30 PM CT, ESPN, Highlights 10:35-10:50 PM CBS. Saturday, 2-6 PM CT, CBS. Sunday, 1-6 PM CT, CBS
As my man Walter Pittman says, the tournament will be decided Sunday on the back 9. All tough holes with high pressure every shot for all contenders. Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13 will be extremely interesting and test the nerves of the contenders, along with the par 5 15th, the par 3 16th and the epic 18th where there will be some major drama and electricity. No. 10, the 475 par 4, is always an electric hole. Bubba Watson won his first Green jacket there in a playoff over Louis Oosthuizen in 2012 hooking a gap wedge 164 yards out of the woods to 15 feet and won the tournament with that shot, making par as Louis O. bogeyed the hole. Adam Scott sank a 14 foot birdie putt to win in a playoff over Angel Cabrera in 2013 to capture his first and only Green Jacket so far on Number 10. So a very important hole, both in regulation and as the second hole in a playoff with 18 being the first playoff hole.
Winner
You’ve got Tiger mounting an amazing resurgence and going for his 5th Green Jacket. Rory., who just won at the Arnie 3 weeks ago, goes for the career Grand Slam with the Masters being the only title that has eluded him. Rory’s won a U.S. Open, an Open Championship and 2 PGAs. Justin Thomas is playing superb golf as usual, though he hasn’t been that hot since the Honda in early March. But JT will definitely be a factor. Jordan Spieth is playing better after a 3rd place finish last week at Houston. If his putter is clicking he can win his second Green Jacket after winning it in 2015. Dustin Johnson has not torn it up this season though he did win the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii in January. He’s definitely a factor though. Jason Day is back in the hunt in majors after winning the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in late January. Jon Rahm is certainly a threat. He won the CareerBuilder in January. Phil, after winning the WGC Mexico Championship a month ago, has also resurfaced as a contender after not winning for 4 years. His last victory came at the Open Championship in 2013 at Muirfield, his fifth major championship. He has 3 Green Jackets to his name. Hideki Matsuyama is always a factor. And Sergio Garcia is extremely confident on this golf course after putting on a performance for the ages last year in capturing his first major.
But I’m going with somebody else. I’ll take the 39 year old from Bagdad, Florida to capture his 3rd Green Jacket after winning in 2012 and 2014. My winner is an experienced veteran who loves this golf course and excels on it. Should be spectacular all weekend and particularly on Sunday.
Gerry Lester “Bubba” Watson
Like Bubba to be pounding it right down the pipe and putting well and capturing his 3rd Green Jacket (Photo, GolfWeek)>
12 Responses
Like your pick DW! I plan on viewing the tournament all weekend from my LOGIC SEAT (aka the sofa).
Thanks for the mention DW. It was probably Jack Nicklaus or someone of that stature that said it first. Bubba is playing well and plays that course well. I always make it a point to stand and look with amazement from spot where he hit the miracle shot on 10. I am going with Rory to complete the career major grand slam in a tight race with JT and DJ. I am going to do my best to refrain from yelling Dilly Dilly, Mashed Potato, You da man and get in the hole as I walk the fairways of golf heaven.
Love it Logic!! They’ll be some really interesting thoughts coming off that sofa!
Sounds great WP! Have a blast!
DW – I like that pick. Wouldn’t mind seeing JT in contention on Sunday.
Sounds good JC. Thanks.
Tiger… Phil…?? No I think it is going to be a battle amongst the youngsters with JT getting the green jacket over the likes of Rahm Fowler and Day. I like Brian Harman a fellow lefty like Phil to be my sleeper. Nice work DW and as Herb used to always say "Hit em straight"
Thanks Bama G.
Great comments.
So many players that can win yet those that we want to see win.
Yes, from my sofa and then another chair that I have obtained a badge for on Sunday.
Thanks DW
Staige
Thanks Staige! Can’t wait!
Categories to consider for narrowing your choice of the 2018 Master’s winner.
Too excited to win-
Too old to win-
Too new to win-
Too impatient to win-
Just glad to be here-
Too exhausted to win-
Too nervous to win-
Needle in a haystack chance to win-
We can place several different golfers in each of these categories. Just start with field alphabetically and proceed. After all of that book work it comes down from this observer to the following contenders. Jordan Spieth, Rory Mac, Phil Michelson, Justin Thomas and Eldrick Tiger Woods.
We can come up w arguments for others but my position is they fall into one of the above categories. Perhaps you have another category to share.
Thanks. A lot of information. Sticking with Bubba. Won there twice, is hot. Just won the par 3. I like his chances.