A Preview Unlike Any Other: Masters Preview 2016

A Preview Unlike Any Other

Masters Preview 2016

By: Jeff Stewart

                        And so another Masters is upon us.  Many questions remain to be answered: Will Jordan continue his reign of dominance in the majors?  Will fan-favorite Rickie Fowler capture his first major?  Will Jason Day continue his hot play? Will Rory complete the last leg of his career grand slam? This tournament should be one of the most exciting Masters in a while.

The Favorites: 
                   These are my top picks for who will come home with the Green Jacket.

Jason Day

         

              One of the favorite pick among many experts is my top pick as well.  Jason has been playing incredible golf since his first major victory at the PGA Championship.  He has won his last 2 tournaments he has played in and is in the best shape of his life.  The record set last year by Jordan Spieth is in my opinion is in risk of being beaten if Jason plays the way he has played recently.  I can already almost see him in that green jacket.

Rickie Fowler

             Even though I have just praised the way Jason has been playing, you can't put Rickie into the shadows.  He has been playing incredible golf of late as well. He has finished in the top-10 in the last 6 of 8 tournaments.  He has not won a major and has come so close, his best finishes were 5th at the Masters, 2nd at the US Open, 2nd at the Open and 3rd at the PGA.  Last year, a week after being voted most-overrated by his fellow PGA tour competitors, won the Players championship. If he plays with that extra-fire we saw at the Players, he could win this thing.

Rory McIlroy

        Rory comes into this year's Masters looking to finish off the career grand-slam he has dreamed of.   The Masters is the one tournament that he can't seem to find a way to win.  You might remember his 2011 final round collapse.  However, recently he can't seem to get started early enough.  Last year Rory played great on Sunday but he dug himself into such a big hole on Thursday and Friday he couldn't find a way out.  He is not playing in the annual par-3 contest and it will be interesting to see if that is a factor but if he plays well Thursday and Friday, you might just be seeing a Northern Irishman putting on the green jacket. 

Henrik Stenson

        To close out my favorite picks to win this year, I have a player who has never won a major. Henrik Stenson has been playing really good golf of late and 2nd place at the Houston Open this past week.  If he plays this good next weekend and we don't see another -20 performance by another 21 year old, he could bring home his first major.  

The Sleepers:

                       Some of my sleepers may not seem like sleepers but considering they have not been consistent winners on the tour and are not some of the top picks, I think they could surprise some folks this week. 

Martin Kaymer

             Martin Kaymer is best known for being a 2-time major winner(2010 PGA and 2014 US Open) however he has not had success here at Augusta.  His best finish was 31st. He has only played 4 PGA Tour events so far and has gotten better each event. If he finds a nice rhythm, he could make some noise.  His cool play under pressure in past majors would definitely help him if it came down to the last stretch.  

Phil Mickelson

                 "Lefty" is a fan favorite and one of mine too. He is one of the current players who has had much success at Augusta. He has won 3 Masters and continues to play well there to this day.  Phil is going to win another major at some point and I strongly feel he could win this year.  He played very well last year and had a top 3 finish.  Look for him to continue that success this year. 

Patrick Reed

                 Patrick Reed is another emerging star on tour. It seems like he is in contention in nearly every tournament. He doesn't come through as often but that will come with age.  Why not get it started in a Major?  He continues to amaze and hang in there with Rory, Jordan and Jason at his side. So, if things work in his favor, he might find a way to pull it out. 

The Surprises:

                  These two predictions might surprise you but they surely won't surprise me.  Now remember I am the man who predicted a Texas- Kentucky NCAA Tournament Championship game, so keep that in mind. 

Jordan Spieth Disappoints

               I said this might surprise you! Yes, do not except another great performance by Jordan this year.  He has not been playing well and he has had issues with his swing.  He says his swing has gotten better after working with his trainer, but you do not often see a player go from poor to major contention in a week and a half.  He may make the cut, but I don't think you'll see a repeat champion this year. 

Bubba Watson Misses Cut

            Bubba- Adam- Bubba- Jordan- Bubba?  This is Bubba's turn to win the Masters.  He has won every other Masters since 2012 and has had success in his off years( Yes, his off year is not winning the Masters. I would take that any day).  Now, Bubba has won 2 tournaments this year and played well in others but he has also played very poorly including a 70th place at Pebble Beach.  He has been so inconsistent in recent years and it seems like every other tournament.  He has also been battling a sickness this past weekend and that may be a factor as well.  Don't except much from Bubba either.


My Predictions:

          I think this will be a very good tournament, just like almost every tournament this year.  Jason Day has played so well recently that his stellar Thursday and Friday will be just enough to defeat Rory Mcilroy and Phil Mickelson.  Rory will play middle of the pack Thursday and start to emerge Friday. He will ultimately make his biggest surge Sunday but fall just short of Jason.  Phil will play solid every day but never shoot as good as Jason or Rory.  Rickie will get top-5 and Stenson top-10. Kaymer and Reed will each finish top-27.  Like I said earlier Bubba will not make the cut and Jordan will struggle early on and and finish top 40.
     
        Thanks for reading and make sure to be tuned in for what should be a fantastic Masters!


Happy Masters week to all!