It’s that most wonderful time of the year — The Masters.
We’re just a short week away from the greatest golf rite of spring.
The splendid beauty of Augusta National is waiting for us, it is where hope springs eternal for the world’s best players.
So let’s not waste one more moment, let’s get straight to it and unveil our favorites for the 2016 Masters.
1-A: Gerry Lester Watson, Jr.: You know him as Bubba. Have this gut feeling that he’s about to go all Arnold Palmer on us and win in the even-number years. Palmer won in ’58, ’60, ’62 and ’64. Bubba won in ’12 and ’14 and if anything, he’s flying a bit under the radar coming in. With Bubba it’s 90 percent mental and you can check that box off this week. He likes Augusta National and so many holes set up incredibly well for that power fade he likes to play. It will simply be a matter of how well he putts.
1-B: Jason Day: Day is the popular pick. He’s the hottest player on the planet. He’s won two in a row and what’s more amazing is that he has six wins in his last 13 events, two top 10s, an 11th, two 12ths, one 23rd and one missed cut. He has the ability to turn Augusta National into a par 68 with the way he can drive the golf ball. But more important, his short game was all there last week at the match play and he’ll need it when play begins next Thursday.
2: Adam Scott: Second hottest player on the planet behind Day. Did he peak too soon in Florida? He has the complete game to win a second Green Jacket and he’s solved every concern with the putter.
3: Rory McIlroy: Had a great weekend finish last year. That was lost in the Jordan Spieth runaway. The only concern with McIlroy coming into the first major of the year is his putting and that plays a major part in this tournament. His putting let him down in the Match Play and it has been the weakest part of his game in this early part of the season.
4: Justin Rose: Rose tied for third last year but no one remembers. He has the game to be a factor on Sunday. He’s hitting it longer off the tee, his iron game is sound. Like everyone else, it’s a matter of how the flat-stick is responding.
5: Rickie Fowler: A lot of folks in the know are saying this is the year Fowler will win his first major. Will it be this week? The powers to be at Augusta are hoping he’s not wearing high-tops if he indeed shows up in the Butler Cabin come Sunday afternoon.
6: Jordan Spieth: Okay, here’s the call — Jordan Spieth will not shoot 18-under par this year. He Will Not open with 64-66 and he will NOT win. Coming in Spieth has too many issues with his game. He has not been sharp, hasn’t putted well and his ball striking has reduced him to “ordinary player” status in his last few events. Still, he does remain No. 2 in the world.
7: Hideki Matsuyama: Finished fifth last year. Has the game and has flashed at times this season.
8: Phil Mickelson: Phil has two, maybe three good rounds in him, but not four. He will be a factor, but won’t win.
9: Zach Johnson: Here’s one of our “darkhorse” favorites. Zach played well at the match play and is rounding into form. He finished T4 last year and don’t be surprised if he comes close again this year. A victory and second Green Jacket is not out of the question.
10: Brooks Koepka: Love this kid’s game. Tons of power, solid decision maker and will eventually be a consistent contender at Augusta National. Not sure if he has enough course knowledge yet but we like him as our second of two “darkhorse” favorites.
11. Dustin Johnson: Has plenty of length and talent. Questionable short game. Does he have enough “mental horsepower” to win a major? So far the answer to that question is a resounding — No!
12: Louis Oosthuizen: He’s been searching for an answer to his putting problems and after his runner-up finish at the match play, it looks as though he may have solved that riddle. His swing is marvelous and he has the ball-striking ability to get in the hunt this year.
That’s our Dirty Dozen, if you will.
This will most likely be another Masters without Tiger Woods. Not that it matters but it matters.
The only question remaining — if he can’t play, will Woods show up for the Champions Dinner?
Not sure about that one but the one thing we are sure of is that this Masters should be a lot more dramatic than Spieth’s 2015 runaway.
