PGA – MY 2018 MASTERS PICKS
It’s almost impossible to hone down the vast list of players who could win this championship. But, I’ve come up with three that I feel carry the best chance of having Sergio put the green jacket on come Sunday.
1 – JUSTIN THOMAS– This 24-year-old has often said that Augusta National is “the perfect course” for him. He has also stated that winning a green jacket is a conceivable dream within his reach. All this said, even before he went on to have his breakout year in 2017 by winning 4 PGA Tour events, his first major (PGA Champ), become the Tour’s Player of the Year and win the FedEx Cup Championship.
So, we know he has the talent, the desire, pedigree and the confidence. But, does he have momentum now? This season so far, Thomas’ game has been excellent. He’s already won two events (The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges in Oct and The Honda Classic in Feb) and he finished runner up at the WGC-Mexico Champs and was in the final four at the WGC-Dell Tech Match Play.
Then there’s his Player’s Tribune Article released today. He wrote about the Masters and his chances saying, “It’s all coming together… as I prepare for the 2018 Masters, I believe I’m playing the best golf of my life.”
JT should have a solid week and contend for his first green jacket. Hopefully he can indeed, put it all together for himself. There’s nothing stopping him other than what’s between the ears.
2 – RORY MCILROY– The 28-year old from Northern Ireland is one of only three golfers in the world to have won four majors by the age of 25. The other two? Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
McIlroy also has the chance to do something that only five other players in the history of the sport have ever done: Win the Career Grand Slam (Sarazen, Hogan, Player, Nicklaus, Woods). But, he must first conquer Augusta National and the rest of the field if he wants to be among that illustrious company. I think he has one of the best chances he’s ever had in his 11-year career this week to do it.
Feeling healthy and ready to go, McIlroy has already proven he’s back from a disappointing 2017. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month and his putter has been clicking. Combined with his natural ball striking abilities and previous success at the Masters (T-7 in 2017; T-10 in 2016; 4thin 2015; T-8 in 2014), this could be his time to shine.
3 – BUBBA WATSON – He already has two other green jackets in his closet (2012, 2014). He’s also lost a ton of weight, is playing extremely well now (won the WGC Champs Dell Match Play two weeks ago and the Genesis Open in Feb) and has a newfound confidence and perspective that could just bring him back to greatness. Another thing in his favor is how Augusta National favors lefties. These are all reasons I can easily see Watson picking out the menu for next year’s champions dinner again. He just belongs here.
I also can’t look past the fact that he’s feeling really good about his life at the moment. He said on Monday, “(My) life’s in the right spot… and golf’s in the right spot… Golf’s easy when you free it up.” Will it be easy for him to win the Masters again? If he feels this good, then he has a great chance.
OTHER STRONG CONTENDERS I LIKE
Justin Rose– This Englishman is one of my favorite golfers to watch with his beautiful technique and ease around the golf course. He’s also never missed the cut in twelve years at Augusta and has finished in the Top 10 five times.
Tiger Woods– I don’t really need to describe why I think he’ll contend this week, do I? ‘Nuff said.
Jordan Spieth– If not for a cold putter and lack of any real success this year, Spieth is one of my perennial favorites to win at the Masters. But, just in time for this week, he seems to have some mojo coming back and maybe, just maybe, it’ll be full throttle as he contends for a second green jacket.
Phil Mickelson– Lefty knows how to get it done at Augusta (won in 2004, 2006, 2010) and is looking really sharp right now. It’s fun to dream that he could contend once again, but I’m not so sure he can fend off my favorites.
Matt Kuchar– It’s crazy to think that this 39-year old has never won a major, especially with his golfing abilities. But, he’s come closest at Augusta (T-8 in 2013; T-5 in 2014; T-4 in 2017). It wouldn’t be a surprise is he actually does pull the trigger and get his green jacket finally.
Alex Noren– The 35-year old Swede has only played Augusta once (last year) and didn’t fare well. But, he’s playing some of the best golf on the Tour right now and I just have a feeling about him. If not this year, perhaps soon he’ll be in contention for a major.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://theladylovessports.com/contact.