For this years’ Masters Golf Tournament, Peter Hoegler and Matt Brownsword, respectively, will share their insight on the first major of the year. We decided to fit the players into four different categories: the Yield of the Field (the player that has the track inside and out), Birdie Buster (a guy who could get the low this week), Super Sleeper (unexpected outbursts), and Winner.
Yield of the Field: Tiger Woods and Phil Michelson (Pete)
It’s a tossup between Californians—the 1-2 golfers of the previous decade. Since Tiger went pro in ’97, he has never missed the cut and has only finished outside the top ten just three times. On the other hand, Mickelson has one missed cut as a professional in ’97, from 1999 to 2010 he finished in the top 10 in 11 out of the 12 years.
Yield of the Field: Steve Stricker (Matt)
Steve Stricker is a resurgent PGA tour player—at 45 years old, he has been around Augusta more times than a lot of the younger players. Last year, Stricker was one of the most consistent players in the field, shooting no higher than even par and no lower than two-under. Although Stricker has never donned the green jacket, his experience could bear fruit at the 2012 Masters.
Birdie Buster: Hunter Mahan (Pete)
Coming off his victory at the Shell Houston Open a week ago, Mahan became the first player this year to win twice on the PGA Tour and vaulted to No. 4 in the world. With two top ten finishes at the Masters and his recent success at Redstone, watch out for Hunter to post a green number a few days here in Augusta.
Birdie Buster: Francesco Molinari (Matt)
The Italian has not been consistent this year up to the Masters—having only played in two events this year. However, upon close examination of the one tournament he did play (the other was the WGC: Accenture Match Play tournament), Molinari has the chance to go low at Augusta. At the Cadillac Championship, he came into the final round two-under and exited at nine-under—shooting a scorching 65. Molinari’s inconsistency could bring about his demise, but if he strings together a couple of low scores, watch out.
Super Sleeper: Keegan Bradley (Pete)
Bradley won in the PGA Championship to become the first player to win on his first attempt at a Major in 100 years. It’s a lot to ask to a player this young to do it again at the Masters, but you never know. He has that first-time Masters thing going against him, too. But Bradley is a battler and has worked hard to familiarize himself with the course.
Super Sleeper: Sang-Moon Bae (Matt)
Bae is one of the most unheard of players at this year’s Masters, but with eight of nine cuts made this year, Bae could be this year’s Y.E. Yang. With a tied-second finish in a playoff in the Transitions Championship against world number-one Luke Donald, Bae has momentum going into Augusta. Bae beat last year’s Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel in the match play tournamnet; thus, he can take down the golfing giants in a massive upset on Sunday at Augusta.
Winner: Rory McIlroy (Pete)
This is the year, folks. He knows what he has to do after last year’s Sunday, back-nine debacle. He’s rested, practiced, and ready to take on all comers—including Tiger Woods. Just think about for a second, a Woods-McIlroy pairing on Sunday: it would be the past vs. the present, 1 vs.2, and most importantly United States vs. England.
Winner: Tiger Woods (Matt)
At the eighteenth green on Augusta on Sunday, the gallery will be roaring no matter who comes down the fairway with their hat of their head, waving to the crowd. This year, the roaring will be appropriate: Yes, that is correct, the Tiger is back, and the Tiger shall triumph. Tiger just won a tournament because of consistent putting—a problem he has had since his injury. If the putter is straight, then my aim is true—Tiger Woods will don the green jacket this Sunday, making him that much closer to the Major Wins Record.
