Always phenomenal golf played this weekend at the penultimate tournament in golf. Here are six guys whom I like to win it with the winner at the bottom.
1. Tiger Woods:
He’s not all the way back to 2000 form, but he’s about there. He’s leading the tour in scoring average at 68.27. He’s driving the ball very well and his putter looks like it’s catching on again. The guy on his bag, Joe LaCava, caddied for Fred Couples when he won the ’92 Masters, and has been on Dustin Johnson’s bag the last four years. That’s a good combination there. Like the formula here with one of the top three golfers of all time (along with Jack and Ben Hogan), and a fired up one at that along with an experienced, major winning caddie on his bag. Woods looks primed to win his fifth green jacket ( won in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005), and his 15th major in his pursuit of Jack’s record of 18. Like him a lot on a course he loves and plays extremely well on. If he’s in the final group on Sunday, he’ll probably get it done.
2.Hunter Mahan:
Two victories already on tour at the WGC Match Play in late February, where he beat Rory McIlroy 2 and 1, and the Shell Houston Open last week. Phil won at the Bellsouth Classic in Atlanta the week before he won the Masters in 2006, so it can be done. And if you’re hot and playing the way Mahan is, it definitely can be done. He looks like a guy who can stand up to Tiger on the final day if he’s paired with him. Seems to be pretty mentally tough. Great player who’s got it all: Ball striking, iron play and short game. Like Hunter’s chances.
3. Phil Mickelson:
A three-time winner at Augusta (2004, 2006 and 2010), Phil has already won at the AT&T this year at Pebble Beach and is playing very good golf with a top five at the Shell Houston last week. Still a terrific player at 41. If Phil can drive it down the middle–he’s certainly long enough–and his putter is clicking, he could be donning his fourth green jacket in the Butler Cabin come Sunday afternoon.
4. Luke Donald:
Playing really well right now after winning the Transitions Championship three weeks ago. Seems to have attained that clutch gene it takes to win a major at 34 years old. Not real long, but an excellent putter; some say the best on the tour. Saves a lot of strokes on the green. You can win a lot of tournaments if you put like Donald. This could be Luuuke’s year. Good shot.
5. Rory McIlroy:
Got to include Rory. He was number one in the world after winning the Honda Classic March 4, but Donald overtook him a couple of weeks later at the Transitions. No doubt about the arsenal here. Could be a multiple major winner on tour. But I’m not coronating him yet. Still got a lot of proving to do. He needs to win three or four majors to be considered elite. He’s young at 22, so the future is very bright, but can he close at Augusta? That’s a major question. Not sure he’s at that point yet. There’s no guarantee he ever will be. Won the U.S. last year so he knows how to win. But he won by a large margin and there wasn’t a ton of pressure on him on Sunday. If he’s in it come the back nine Sunday there will be. Didn’t handle it well last year when he had the lead heading into the back nine and shot 77. Great kid though. Quite a contrast from Tiger. But does he have the fortitude and toughness to get it done on Sundays and win multiple majors, starting right here? This weekend could give us an indication of where he’s at if he’s in the hunt Sunday. He couldn’t get it done last year, but maybe he can this time. He’s still got a lot of time left to win majors; he’s very young. It would be pretty exciting if he could take this and become the new superstar on the tour.
6. K.J. Choi:
He’s been so close at the Masters. He tied for fourth in 2010 and tied for eighth in 2011. Has been playing Augusta very well. He’s got the game at 41-years old. He’s long, a solid iron player and a very good putter. Won the Players last year, so he’s basically got a major under his belt. Got that Asian calm, cool toughness that is so important in this tournament. He’s another guy who could hold up against Tiger in the final group on Sunday. Give K.J. a chance.
7. Bubba Watson:
Longest hitter on the tour averaging 316.9 yards. Also leads the tour in greens in regulation percentage at 73.61%. Great player who is primed. If his short game is on, he’s got a good shot. Another tough-minded guy who can get it done.
The winner: Tiger Woods:
Just like where he’s at right now. He loves this course and the Hank Haney book, The Big Miss, gives him even more motivation to excel. He’s on a mission right now. Not absolutely sure he can sustain it for the long haul, but right now he’s getting back to where he wants to be. He’s the ultimate closer still. Like him here.