84th Masters: A Look At The Favorites And Not-So-Favorites

Today we once again step into the murky waters of that inexact science of predicting/evaluating possible candidates who might be slipping on the Green Jacket come Sunday afternoon as the champion of the 84th Masters.

So without delay, let’s get right to it:

The Best Of The Best:

Dustin Johnson:  It only took one round for D.J. to get clicking last week on a very difficult golf course — Memorial Park in Houston.  A couple of loose shots and some putts that burned the lips proved the difference between victory and a tie for second for Dustin, as he shook off the effects of two weeks of inactivity thanks to a bout with the “Sickness”  aka the Corona Virus, aka COVID-19.  This year we think D.J. puts it all together.  It wasn’t that long ago (2017) when he was the solid, overwhelming favorite but a slip-and-fall took him out of the tournament.  Since then D.J. has consulted with AARP, with the recommendation that he stay in one-story guest houses.  D.J. is out pick to win his second major.

Jon Rahm:  If Augusta National is a second-shot course, then Rahm should be a contender.  Great iron player who is a solid driver of the golf ball.  It all depends on how well he’ll perform on the greens this week.  Haven’t we heard that before with so many contenders?  Side note, Rahm-bo turned 26 on Tuesday, a Green Jacket would be the ultimate birthday present.  This might be his week, on Tuesday, he skipped a ball across the pond on 16 for an ace, his second this week.

Bryson DeChambeau:  Something about the old saying that The Obvious Is Obviously Wrong.  Everyone’s talking about how far The Mad Scientist is driving the ball.  Okay, the Mad Scientist is driving the cover off the ball.  But there’s a lot more to Augusta National.  These greens complexes are like no others in the world.  Course knowledge and the ability to control one’s carry yardage with the irons is crucial here.  At times, Bryson’s carry yardages can go haywire.  Add the fact that he won’t be able to stare for minutes at a time at greens-reading books — they’re a no-no at Augusta National and that’s a good thing.  Also, Bryson has decided NOT to go with the 48-inch driver.  He’ll stick with what won him the U.S. Open Still, this is the guy who took on Winged Foot and won.  But even Bryson realizes that man does not live by distance alone at Augusta National.  Said Bryson this week:  “I know where I need to go,” he said. “It’s mainly putting and getting comfortable with that. The length is great, but it’s still about wedging and putting around here. If you don’t do that well, you’re not going to win.”

Rory McIlroy:  Biggest “unknown” among the contenders.  Has the game to handle Augusta National, a lot boils down to wedge accuracy and putting.  Both of those facets are Rory’s downfall too often.  He can finish the career Grand Slam this week.  My neighbor Lucy wants Rory to win even more than Rory wants Rory to win.  Sadly, my sister’s declaration holds true way too often:  “Rory will let you down all the time.”  Maybe Rory can prove sis wrong.

Justin Thomas:  Has the complete game but it’s been his driving that has proven costly at the wrong times.  Great wedge player, wonderful ball striker and he would be a popular champion.  As a side note, he got in some practice rounds with Tiger.  J.T. was outdriving Tiger by 20 most of the time, Bryson was driving it 20 past J.T., 40 by the defending champion.

The Next Best Five:

Tyrrell Hatton:  His game has been spot-on lately.  Excellent driver of the golf ball and has a solid iron game.  Has the putting ability if he can properly read these greens.

Scottie Scheffler:  He’s getting back to his pre-U.S. Open form.  The Corona Virus set him back but now he’s rebounding nicely.  One of our surprise contenders.

Tony Finau:  Best Supporting Golfer in majors.  He’d be a popular winner but Tony has trouble closing the deal in regular events, can’t see him winning this one.

Brooks Koepka: He should have won last year.  The 12th cost him dearly and opened the door for El Tigre, who politely stepped through it and donned a fifth Green Jacket.  Liked the way Brooks finished the final three days in Houstoni.

Xander Schauffele:  One of the tour’s most under-rated, under-appreciated players.

Five Longer Shots:

Matt Wolff:  Does not fear the big stage at all.  Was so very good at Winged Foot but ran into the Bryson Buzz Saw on Sunday.  People don’t realize that he’s nearly as long as DeChambeau. Matt’s got a nice short game and is a good putter.  If anyone’s going to break that “first-timer” jinx, it could be Wolff.

Patrick Reed:  Bryson DeChambeau admitted that The Masters comes down to wedging and putting and Reed has an awesome short game which is why he is a Masters champion.

Adam Scott:  Same old song — great swing, great ball-striker, that broomstick of a putter is simply awful.

Patrick Cantlay:  Best poker-face in golf.  Has total all-around game, nice iron player, an advantage at AGNC.

Collin Morikawa:  The PGA champ hasn’t been all that great since winning his first major.  Those magnificent irons shots of his will come in handy this week if he’s on with them.

Five Even Longer Shots:

Tiger Woods:  He has an incredible level of comfort on this golf course but his form coming into ANGC has been simply awful.  Not sure that at his age he can “flip the switch” and contend on Sunday.  Last year will have to remain as a wonderful accomplishment.

Bubba Watson:  Bubba’s rediscovered his game.  His problem will come with wet conditions.  Bubba HATES wet conditions.  He’ll cry and moan if he’s got a molecule of mud on his golf ball.

Hideki Matsuyama:   Looked pretty darn ready last Sunday in Houston.

Webb Simpson:  This would be an upset winner.

Zach Johnson:  Zach’s on this list because he’s a good mudder and with wet conditions in the forecast, perhaps they’ll work to Zach’s advantage.

Crazy Long Shots:

Jason Kokrak:  Has the distance and is finally learning to putt well enough to win.

Matt Fitzpatrick:  Does Fitzpatrick have any Fitz-magic?

Shane Lowry:  Has held the Claret Jug longer than anyone else (there was no tournament this year).

Louie Oosthuizen:  Good all-around game.

Jordan Spieth:  Seriously?  No way.

Phil Mickelson:  Probably couldn’t win if he and Jordan played best-ball.  For the record, Lefty missed the cut at Winged Foot, missed the cut last week at the Houston Open.  Sorry Lefty, this isn’t a senior event although you can go for “Low Senior Left-Hander.”

There you have it.  This is the year D.J. dons the “Jacket.”

Thursday-Friday Groups And Tee Times: