This is the week, the week those of us who are golfers have no intention of missing. The best golfers in the world, playing on the prettiest and most well-known course, for the ability to wear a green jacket. Ritual? Maybe, but if so, I’m willing to be the ritual sacrifice.
My money is on Tiger this year. I think Tiger’s on a mission. I think he knows that the knee injury is a harbinger of the frailty of his body. I think he has no intention of letting Nicklaus’ records stay unchallenged any longer, that he is going to go after them as hard as he can.
Interesting question is this: who is going to come after him? I think there are some up and coming players who aren’t so likely to just give in when they see his name. But experience usually counts for a lot at Augusta National. So can any of them make inroads right away?
What do you think? Me, I think the real winner will be me, getting to watch the tournament again.
Oh I love it, and will certainly post as events warrant. The one major which is almost always guaranteed to give you high drama on the back nine on Sunday…
Hmmm… I wonder what the vegas odds are on Tiger winning the grand slam this year. It’s still gotta be high, like 50 to 1, but it just might be worth putting $20 on.
I’m working from home this week so in addition to watching the Sox opener this afternoon I’ll be able to watch most of the Masters this week as well.
Yep, Im liking Tiger. I agree with your comments on his making a run at all the majors, and I’m sure he’d like nothing more than to come out making a statement.
Sergio looked pretty bad this past week, and Phil hasn’t done much to impress me this year. Vijay’s playing well but appears to be coasting a bit too, but he might have just been laying back to rest up. Some of the younger guys look to have some game in 'em but I don’t foresee any out-of-nowhere scenarios developing yet.
My darkhorse pick this year is Andres Romero. He broke through with a win last year and always plays well in the majors. He finished T8 last year and T7 in the PGA. He was third by one shot in the British in 2007 and T8 in 2006.
I’ll concede the wins, but he just hasn’t looked like the Phil of old to me. Don’t get me wrong, he really is a fantastic golfer, but he’s lost some of that gritty zest over the season or two. I hope these wins are a sign of a resurgence; I would love to see Phil and Tiger battling it out throughout the year.
So who do you pick for the Masters - other than the obvious choice?
Pick one realistic choice, and one dark horse, without repeating any previous choices in this thread.
I take Ogilvy as my serious choice. The guy’s been playing really well this year. Could be time to prove the US Open Lefty handed him wasn’t a fluke.
My dark horse is Briny Baird. This guy cracks me up. Nearly every week he is near the top of the leader board during the first 2 rounds, but by Sunday he has faded out of the picture. Not this time baby!
I played with Brineys father in law at a Publinx tourney. He used a set of his clubs. If he folds at the end, the Masters will bring more pressure than he can stand up to.
I want Mickelson to contend . But the majors are being won by 2nd tier players lately.
So, already it begins. Tim Clark, -4 through 15 so far, tied for the lead with R. Fisher, who is right behind him. Angel Cabrera is -3 through 7, an impressive start!
Gary Player: +3 through 10, which puts him ahead of a number of other older notables, including Ernie Els, Craig Stadler and Ray Floyd. Oh, sorry Ernie, for lumping you in with the has beens.
Since 2003 winners of majors included
Weir
Furyk
Ben Curtis
Shawn Micheel
Mike Campbell
Oglivy
Harrington
Zach Johnson
Angel Cabrera
Some very good golfers but they have not broken through with the major to become a force.
