Tiger Woods continues to keep everyone guessing. The five-time Masters champion woke up Sunday with this message:
“I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice. It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.”
So there you have it. Tiger’s a game-time decision but this most important task of selecting favorites and a possible winner of this 86h playing of The Masters cannot be put off. We’re here for you with the difficult/harrowing/near-impossible task of trying to discern who will perform the best when play begins on Thursday, hopefully with Eldrick in the field.
So without further ado, let’s get to it!
Our First-Tier Favorites:
Scottie Scheffler: We picked Scottie to win the WGC Match Play and he came through. Scottie’s racked up three wins in his last five events, including that grueling week in Austin. Scottie’s had some time off to rest and get ready for this week. There are a number of reasons he’s the best player on the planet right now but one of them that most don’t talk enough about is the addition of veteran caddie Teddy Scott. Scott is a good one — has to be. He put up with Bubba Watson’s crap for a long time and after Bubba’s B.S., well, Teddy’s gotta feel like he’s in caddie-heaven. He’s a great sounding board for Scheffler. Scheffler also had a new putter put together by Scotty Cameron and that’s worked quite well for him. He has the long game, the short game and the confidence to win come Sunday. Scottie will look good in a Green Jacket.
Cameron Smith: When you think about winning The Masters, you think about clutch putts — Nicklaus at 16 in 1975, Nicklaus on the 17th in 1986 and Tiger Woods on an array of holes over the span of his five wins. Between Jack and Tiger, that’s 11 Green Jackets and one common denominator — the two great champions at Augusta National were clutch with the putter. Who has a better putting stroke than Cameron Smith? He’s had a sniff of the heat here. We like his short game and that putting stroke. If he drives it well, he’ll be around Sunday afternoon.
Will Zalatoris: Lost by a shot to Hideki last year and if this kid could putt a lick, well, he would have won last year. In fact, he’d probably have a half-dozen wins by now. He putted pretty good at the match play and with his ball striking, if he putts just above average, he can contend again this year.
Dustin Johnson: D.J. has shown signs of life lately. Just have this strange feeling that he might do well this week. He’s flying totally under the radar. In fact, if Tiger plays, that takes the pressure off everyone — the Tiger Effect could have everyone flying under the radar until the back nine on Sunday.
Viktor Hovland: Unusual pick given Viktor’s not-ready-for-prime-time short game skills. He has all the ball-striking skills. Putts well enough. If he had Cam Smith’s short game, he’d be one of our top two guys.
Our Second-Tier Favorites:
Justin Thomas: This guy is the favorite with a lot of talking heads. He’s not ours. His short game is extraordinary at times. His putting is off and on. The driver? Well, when your feet move all over the place, the devil ball is a possibility and under the heat, J.T. has that big left miss with both his driver and irons. He’s got the game and confidence to win but it’s been a while since every part of his game worked to perfection. We don’t think that will be the case this week but on sheer talent and determination, J.T. should be around come Sunday afternoon.
Brooks Koepka: Well, if this guy is going to pass or tie Tiger Woods’ 15 major championships, as he’s said he will, he better start sooner than later. Certainly has the game to win any major championship. We remember him as one of the guys who watered his tee shot at 12 that allowed Tiger to win that fifth Green Jacket back in 2019.
Jon Rahm: Hasn’t won since the 2021 U.S. Open and that’s pure underachievement for a player of his talent level. The putter is off-and-on. Certainly drives it well enough and his irons are good enough for him to win at Augusta. We just don’t think Rahm-bo makes enough putts this week.
Corey Conners: Here’s our dark-horse. Shot four-under last year and got himself a top 10. We think he’s improving his overall skills.
Collin Morikawa: Missed the cut at The Players and has been pretty darn unimpressive as of late. Too much talent to NOT contend here this week. Depends on that putting stroke.
Our Third-Tier Favorites:
Xander Schauffele: Shot seven-under last year. Honestly can’t remember the last time he won anything not named the Olympics. But that’s what Xander does. He plays well but doesn’t win enough.
Jordan Spieth: Came to life a little to late last year to overtake Hideki. Jordy’s late rally got him to seven-under with Xander. At the Texas Open last week, Jordy said he putted horribly. Hopefully that won’t be the case this week.
Patrick Reed: He could totally ruin our Masters week!
Patrick Cantlay: If a guy named Patrick is going to win, hopefully it would be this one.
Rory McIlroy: Ah, the king of the 25-foot wedge approaches into greens! We texted Michael Breed a week ago when he was touting Rory and gave him the reasons Rory struggles. My neighbor Lucy adores Rory but I’ve told her time and again: “Lucy, Rory will always let you down.” We think Rory lets Lucy down once again this week. We can’t help but remember Rory missing that five-footer for eagle at the second that started Patrick Reed’s march to victory.
Our Long Shots!
Tiger Woods: If he plays and we believe he’ll play. Love that “game-time decision” B.S. from El Tigre. He isn’t showing up just to go through the practice motions. He’ll play.
Sam Burns: Love a lot of things about this kid’s game.
Bryson DeChambeau: Has yet to find the golf course with his tee shots. If he’s wild this week, he’ll get to know the patrons quite well and will end up with pine straw in his shoes.
Matt Fitzpatrick: Wouldn’t surprise us if he played well this week. Wouldn’t surprise us if he didn’t.
Tyrrell Hatton: Welcome to the wild and wacky!
That’s it. Our top 15 then five more.
This is our favorite week, our favorite tournament at a place you never forget once you’ve been there.
As the saying goes — A Tradition Unlike Any Other!
The 2022 Field For The 86th Masters:
Tiger On Sunday: Tiger went out and played the back nine Sunday afternoon. He hit just 33 balls on the range, seven with his driver. Big shocker (sorry Nike) was Tiger sports a pair of FootJoy Premium Packard shoes. Tiger is scheduled for his press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. He’ll most likely be out early to play the front nine on Monday then get in some practice. With an inch of rain predicted for Tuesday, it could be a washout for most looking to get on the course.
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
Tigers flare for the dramatic is at an all time high, which is saying a lot with this man.
As if he already hasn’t taken Ben Hogans comeback thunder not once, but twice now, and now he wants to pull a Willis Reed, Kirk Gibson with this game time decision.
And of course the media feeds into the drama.
Tiger a long time ago may have pushed too hard. But tigers phase of recklessly coming back too soon has been long gone.
Tiger is at Augusta National because he can safely do this.
Can he win?
Sure.
Is he my pick?
I’m not ready for that yet.
So let’s break down Toms picks.
Scottie. Another big Limb there Tom. But that would too amazing to be true. As amazing as Scottie has officially proven himself to be I’m taking the field against him.
The next guy intrigued me more. Can Smith not only did what he did at Sawgrass, he has done amazing things at Augusta for years, including being the only man with all 4 rounds in the 6os. If I don’t pick Tiger or JT or Pat Cantlay, cam is my pick. Sam is a solid choice. Hovland may not need a short game.
Then there are a lot of good names in Toms 15. But many as good as they are, are struggling one way or another. From rahm To collin, to dj, Brooks, Jordan, Rory, Corey, and many more. Zalatoris putting has definitely improved, but he may need more time before it’s at that Masters win level. Xander and Reed have been quiet. Bryson is always interesting but he has life really been hitting balls 45 degrees off line. Hideki with the neck. I’m not even sure if rose is playing.
Hatton and Fitz are actually nice picks if they have good odds, but just hard to believe. Same with Sergio despite the fact he has one already.
As Brooks says, it’s easy to deduct a lot of guys from the equation, including him now. How long Till one of brooks’ pull fades let’s him down? Based on recent history, not long.
Anyhow, enough trolling golfs top troll. I feel like we are forgetting a name or two but that short list at the top should provide the winner.
If you don’t hear back from me, I’m riding with Cam Smith. But Tiger is intriguing. I must say. He looks really good despite the constant doubt from the talking heads that he will fall writhing in pain at any second.
Tom Edrington
On Tuesday Tiger finally let the cat out of the bag and basically declared: “As of now I’m playing….” we are working on the stories for Wednesday…..should publish later today.
baxter cepeda
What a shocker!
baxter cepeda
But I’ll wait to say IT when your official article comes out.