Masters
April 9 – 12, 2015
Augusta National G.C.
Augusta, Ga.
Par: 72 / Yardage:
Purse: $9 million (2014 purse)
with $1,620,000 (2014 first place check) to the winner
Defending Champion:
Bubba Watson

This week’s field includes:
The field includes 49 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings. The reason why, Marc Warren has been around the top-50 for weeks now and last week, the cutoff for the top-50 to get that coveted spot was then and Warren missed out by one. With Danny Willett and Luke Donald dropping out of the top-50, Russell Henley and Warren replaced them. But for Marc a week too late so the Masters will only have the top-49 of 50 in rankings.
The field includes 19 of the top 25 on the FedEx point standings for 2015. Those players are #1 Jimmy Walker, #2 Jordan Spieth, #3 J.B. Holmes, #4 Patrick Reed, #5 Bubba Watson, #6 Dustin Johnson, #7 Charley Hoffman, #8 Robert Streb, #9 Jason Day, #10 Brandt Snedeker, #11 Ryan Moore, #12 Sangmoon Bae, #13 Ben Martin, #14 Hideki Matsuyama, #15 Brooks Koepka, #16 James Hahn, #18 Bill Haas, #23 Matt Every and #24 Matt Kuchar.
Those in the top-25 but not playing are #17 Shawn Stefani, #19 Daniel Berger, #20 Scott Piercy, #21 Brendon de Jonge, #22 Harris English and #25 Nick Watney.
The field includes 21 players in the top 25 on this year’s PGA Tour money list. Those players are #1 Jimmy Walker, #2 Jordan Spieth, #3 J.B. Holmes, #4 Bubba Watson, #5 Dustin Johnson, #6 Patrick Reed, #7 Brandt Snedeker, #8 Jason Day, #9 Ryan Moore, #10 Charley Hoffman, #11 Sangmoon Bae, #12 Robert Streb, #13 Hideki Matsuyama, #14 Brooks Koepka, #15 Ben Martin, #16 James Hahn, #17 Bill Haas, #18 Henrik Stenson, #20 Matt Every, #22 Kevin Na and #25 Paul Casey.
Those in the top-25 but not playing are #19 Daniel Berger, #21 Nick Watney, #23 Shawn Stefani and #24 Scott Piercy.
The field includes 19 past champions: Bubba Watson (2012 & ’14), Adam Scott (2013), Charl Schwartzel (2011), Phil Mickelson (2006, ’04 & ’10), Angel Cabrera (2009), Trevor Immelman (2008), Zach Johnson (2007), Tiger Woods (2005, ’02, ’01 & 1997), Mike Weir (2003), Vijay Singh (2000), Jose Maria Olazabal (1999 & ’94), Mark O’Meara (1998), Ben Crenshaw (1995 & ’84), Bernhard Langer (1993 & ’85), Fred Couples (1992), Ian Woosnam (1991), Sandy Lyle (1988), Larry Mize (1997) and Tom Watson (1981 & ’77).
A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Masters field is our performance chart listed by average finish. Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Masters in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Masters.
A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.
Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker North America, Vovada. They give winning odds plus top-five and first round leader odds.
Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.
**NOTE**
We have made a lot of changes in GOLFstats and one of the biggest is that every on-going event gets updated every hour. It’s not real time scoring, but after each day you will see our database change. This will help look at things like good scores in a row and how each player does after every round.
One thing to look for is our new GOLFstats IQ. For those that play in fantasy golf it’s a perfect way to help you pick those players in Draft Kings and Victiv games. You can customize the list of those in the tournaments, to look back a couple or many years of tournament stats and you can go back a couple or ten weeks prior to the tournament. On top of that, all the stats are fully sortable to help you pick your six players, we even give you their value for the week to help you chose.
That’s GOLFstats IQ, give it a try and tell us what you think of it
We are also offering special daily looks at the stats and who will be going on to win. Just like our previews, this will not only preview the next day’s round but also look at players who shoud win. All of these will enhance GOLFstats and encourage you to check our stuff over the weekend and during play. That’s Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Another thing to look for is 24/7 GOLF which is coming to the Apple App Store this week. This is a new app that you can get with your Iphone so that you can take a lot of GOLFstats with you when your away from your computer. Try it out, you will love it.
So join us a couple of hours after play each night from the Masters for our what you will need to know for the next day’s play.
Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:
Who’s Hot in the field for the Masters
Player | Shell Houston | Trophee Hassan | Arnold Palmer | Valspar | Valero Texas | Tshwane Open | WGC Cadillac | Puerto Rico | Africa Open | Honda Classic | Joburg Open | Northern Trust | AT&T Pebble |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jordan Spieth (366 pts) |
T2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | Win (88) |
2 (100) |
DNP | T17 (33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T4 (26.67) |
T7 (18.33) |
Dustin Johnson (245.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T6 (60) |
DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | T2 (33.33) |
T4 (26.67) |
J.B. Holmes (244.67 pts) |
Win (132) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | 2 (100) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T22 (9.33) |
T10 (13.33) |
Henrik Stenson (233.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | 2 (100) |
4 (53.33) |
DNP | DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Patrick Reed (170.33 pts) |
T17 (33) |
DNP | DNP | T2 (66.67) |
DNP | DNP | T23 (27) |
DNP | DNP | T7 (36.67) |
DNP | DNP | T29 (7) |
Jimmy Walker (163.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | Win (132) |
DNP | T31 (19) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T41 (3) |
T21 (9.67) |
Kevin Na (158.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T6 (60) |
T10 (26.67) |
T20 (30) |
DNP | T9 (45) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T61 (0) |
CUT (-3.33) |
Matt Every (140.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | Win (132) |
CUT (-6.67) |
T35 (15) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T63 (0) |
DNP | T49 (0.33) |
DNP |
Paul Casey (140.33 pts) |
9 (45) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T38 (12) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (60) |
DNP | T2 (33.33) |
DNP |
Cameron Tringale (119 pts) |
T5 (70) |
DNP | DNP | T17 (22) |
T40 (10) |
DNP | T38 (12) |
DNP | DNP | T44 (4) |
DNP | T47 (1) |
DNP |
Brandt Snedeker (114 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T13 (37) |
T53 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T17 (33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 74 (0) |
Win (44) |
Morgan Hoffmann (112.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | 4 (80) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | T17 (33) |
DNP | DNP | WD (-3.33) |
DNP | T22 (9.33) |
DNP |
Ryan Palmer (111.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T6 (60) |
DNP | T12 (38) |
DNP | DNP | T25 (16.67) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Ian Poulter (104 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T21 (29) |
T24 (17.33) |
DNP | DNP | T49 (1) |
DNP | DNP | T3 (60) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Keegan Bradley (103 pts) |
T5 (70) |
DNP | T49 (1) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T38 (12) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | T4 (26.67) |
DNP |
Bubba Watson (102 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 3 (90) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T14 (12) |
DNP |
Ryan Moore (101 pts) |
T57 (0) |
DNP | DNP | 5 (46.67) |
DNP | DNP | T9 (45) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T22 (9.33) |
DNP |
Billy Horschel (96 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T43 (7) |
DNP | 3 (90) |
DNP | T46 (4) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | T45 (1.67) |
Phil Mickelson (94 pts) |
T17 (33) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T30 (20) |
DNP | T31 (19) |
DNP | DNP | T17 (22) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Charley Hoffman (90 pts) |
T11 (39) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
T11 (39) |
DNP | T38 (12) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T30 (6.67) |
DNP |
Brendon Todd (89.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T24 (17.33) |
T30 (20) |
DNP | T23 (27) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T14 (12) |
T10 (13.33) |
Louis Oosthuizen (88.33 pts) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | T9 (45) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | 6 (60) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Adam Scott (88.33 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T35 (15) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | T4 (80) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Russell Henley (85 pts) |
4 (80) |
DNP | T49 (1) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T56 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T44 (4) |
DNP | T61 (0) |
DNP |
Hideki Matsuyama (82.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | T21 (29) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T23 (27) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T4 (26.67) |
DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Masters
Player | Shell Houston | Trophee Hassan | Arnold Palmer | Valspar | Valero Texas | Tshwane Open | WGC Cadillac | Puerto Rico | Africa Open | Honda Classic | Joburg Open | Northern Trust | AT&T Pebble |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trevor Immelman (-26.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
Robert Streb (-23.33 pts) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | T56 (0) |
DNP | DNP | T59 (0) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Graeme McDowell (-21.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | WD (-5) |
DNP | T56 (0) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
Angel Cabrera (-20 pts) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | T30 (6.67) |
DNP |
Marc Leishman (-20 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T51 (0) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Brian Harman (-14 pts) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-6.67) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T11 (26) |
DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Thomas Bjorn (-11.67 pts) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | WD (-5) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-6.67) |
DNP | DNP | DNP |
John Senden (-11 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
CUT (-6.67) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | T31 (19) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT (-3.33) |
DNP |
Anirban Lahiri (-10 pts) |
CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T71 (0) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
Gunn Yang (-10 pts) |
DNP | DNP | CUT (-10) |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
How Player Rankings are Computed
Who to watch for at the Masters
Best Bets:
Jordan Spieth
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2 |
His year reminds me so much of what Tiger was like in the months leading to the 1997 Masters. Spieth is showing a lot and that he is getting better every time he tees it up. Many will think that he could be getting tired, I think he is fresh and ready to go for this week.
Bubba Watson
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | T50 | Win | T38 | 42 | T20 |
Has played great all year and he has to be excited about the possibility of winning back to back Masters. If it rains it helps his cause even more.
Jason Day
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T20 | 3 | WD | T2 |
Feel that he has all the tools to play well at Augusta and will one day wear a green jacket. That day could be on Sunday, I think he will have a very good week.
Best of the rest:
Jimmy Walker
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T8 |
Has had a great season and played well in the majors last year. Think it’s his time to shine, I can see him in contention again this week, I don’t know if he has the character to win the Masters. Still look for him to content.
Adam Scott
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T14 | Win | T8 | T2 | T18 | CUT | T25 | T27 | T27 | T33 | CUT | T23 |
Ok it’s time for him to put it into overdrive. I am surprised at how he has gotten ready this year, I know he got married and had a child but still he has played four times in the last four months. Also be interested in seeing which way he putts, if the broom-putter returns this week. Still he is a great ball striker and his game is taylor made for Augusta so watch him.
Brandt Snedeker
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T37 | T6 | T19 | T15 | CUT | T3 | T41 |
I really think he will be the surprise of the week, has played great at Augusta and has been looking forward to this week since winning at Pebble.
Patrick Reed
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT |
Time to see how this guy is built and if he can really play as well as he says he is. Rough first start last year we will just have to wait and see.
J.B. Holmes
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T25 |
Only has played once and finished T25th. Think the course is right up his alley, but I think the greens could overwhelm him.
European contenders:
Henrik Stenson
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T14 | T18 | T40 | CUT | CUT | T38 | T17 | T17 | CUT |
This guy should of won a bunch of majors, but the Masters hasn’t been kind to him. Does his game suit Augusta, probably not but he is a great player that will do his best to put on a green jacket on Sunday.
Lee Westwood
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | T8 | T3 | T11 | 2 | 43 | T11 | T30 | CUT | CUT |
Think that of all the majors the Masters could be his best shot. He isn’t playing great and not playing bad, could be back there just getting ready to strike this week.
Sergio Garcia
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | T8 | T12 | T35 | T45 | T38 | CUT | CUT | 46 | CUT | T4 | T28 |
He misses more cuts than playing well at Augusta. I like Westwood here, but leary that the Masters could be the hardest major for Garcia to win. Still you never know if he could get on a roll, I just think it’s time for him to break out of his major slump.
Padraig Harrington
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | T8 | CUT | CUT | T35 | T5 | T7 | T27 | CUT | T13 | CUT |
Just like Garcia, this guy is up and down, has played well in some Masters but has missed five of 14 cuts. Think he really wants to play great and get back into possibly winning another major.
Justin Rose
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T14 | T25 | T8 | T11 | T20 | T36 | T5 | T22 | T39 |
Has had some great rounds at Augusta and plays well on the course, I just fear that his isn’t 100% heathy and that is his problem this year.
Long shots that could come through:
Matt Kuchar
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T5 | T8 | T3 | T27 | T24 |
Many will say, geez your calling him a long shot? A guy that has finished three times in the top-ten at the Masters. He is a long shot because his game isn’t right but we know that a great player like him could turn it around in a matter of days. Has played good at Augusta, that gives me reason to think he will be ok.
Phil Mickelson
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | T54 | T3 | T27 | Win | 5 | T5 | T24 | Win | 10 | Win | 3 |
His game is still not right, or should we say his putter is not good. But we have seen this before from Phil and he has a way of digging deep and doing well. He showed some good signs at Houston and think he will do better this week.
Ian Poulter
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T20 | CUT | 7 | T27 | T10 | T20 | T25 | T13 | T33 | T31 |
Could make a run, he played well at Honda and could find some magic this week.
Jonas Blixt
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T2 |
A true longshot that played great last year.
Why I don’t like these guys this week:
Rory McIlroy
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T8 | T25 | T40 | T15 | CUT | T20 |
Sorry just think too much will be on his plate, it’s hard to be talked about for six months and have to point to this week. We saw it last year at Pinehurst with Phil Mickelson, it’s hard to peak at just the right time.
Dustin Johnson
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CUT | T13 | T38 | T38 | T30 |
Just don’t think that Augusta National fits his game. Only shot two rounds in the 60s over 18 rounds this just doesn’t give us the confidence to pick him this week.
Rickie Fowler
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T5 | T38 | T27 | T38 |
Didn’t play well at all last week in Houston, I can’t see him being in contention this week.
Tiger Woods
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T4 | T40 | T4 | T4 | T6 | 2 | T2 | T3 | Win | T22 | T15 |
I give him a one in three chance of withdrawing before Thursday. I don’t buy into all of this hype on him playing well at home, he needs to prove himself this week. Does he have the talent, yes. But I think he has lost the mojo.
Brooks Koepka
2015 | ’14 | ’13 | ’12 | ’11 | ’10 | ’09 | ’08 | ’07 | ’06 | ’05 | ’04 | ’03 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First time playing in this event |
More info:
I liked his chances last month, but he has been hurt and don’t think he will have a good week.
aussie press confirmed scott is back to long putter..cheers sal..ps..dusty Johnson..forgetting last year, is coming in of a 13th here..has had plenty of time to scope out the joint and is smoking hot at the moment. if fairways are rain effected his length cannot hurt.is hungry and mentally rested and appeals with day and spieth as a classy trifecta…imho…….cheers health and luck sal…have a good one.
Steve, call it a gut feeling on Johnson. Yes it’s suppose to rain giving long hitters an advantage but I just don’t think the course is good for Johnson.
Guess we will see soon enough.
This is what I paid $10 for? I’d like my money back. I was expecting you to crunch all the numbers for me in regards to the most relevant stats it takes to win at Augusta. For example, you eluded to the 3-putt theory and the driving distance theory, so why not go ahead and crunch all those stats plus par 4 scoring, par 5 scoring, etc.. and let the numbers tell you whose stats say have the best chance. I didn’t need to pay $10 to be told to look at bookie websites for who’s got the highest odds. For a website built on “stats”, I’m discouraged to read about your “gut feeling” on Dustin Johnson. This is a stats site. Look at other fantasy guru sites and all they do is crunch numbers and give you informed help based on facts, not “gut feelings” and bookie links. I’d really like my money back. I am disappointed with this product.
Davis: Can’t speak for the site but my thought was they are suggesting this tournament is one where stats don’t really do a whole lot in terms of “predicting” performance. What stats are going to help you find Angel Cabrera performing the way he did two years ago?
It’s a unique tournament with a limited field. There’s no magic formula.
I’m going with a team of Day/Walker/Snedeker/Tiger (I use golfchannel) And I came to that conclusion based on info/stats I found here plus my own analysis.
I think the player analysis provided is excellent. That guy is complaining about a $10 purchase? He needs to get real.
blind freddy can crunch stats(sites a dime a dozen for free)…sals gut speaks for itself..always haters sal o’chum ,occupational hazard..keep up the good work your opinion and observations are always considered..cheers m8
The one thing I’ll note here is that if you’re talking about fantasy golf, Tiger Woods is an extremely attractive choice because of his value right now. Do I think he’ll win? No. But he seems healthy and he lives for Augusta and don’t forget he couldn’t play last year. Death, Taxes, Tiger playing well at Augusta.
We all know his chipping was his issue right? I personally don’t think Tiger Woods returns to Augusta to embarrass himself. If this was any other tournament I’d question if he was ready – but not Augusta.
Michael you couldn’t of written that any better. I too am a big Tiger Woods fan and am pulled in two different directions on this. I want to see Tiger contend on Sunday but I just don’t think he has the mojo and I think his chipping, which is better, will not be prime-time ready.
I am at Augusta and saw Tiger’s press conference yesterday, he has never seemed to care more than yesterday. He seemed happier and I think he has lost a bit of the killer instinct, who knows it’s just a weird feeling I had with him talking just 30 feet away from me.
Something is different with Tiger and I just hope he doesn’t go out and shot a pair of 74s, but I think the odds on that happening are about the same as Tiger going out and shooting a pair of 69s, which would put him high up the leaderboard.
Sal,
That’s the tricky thing about a player who has always seemed so robotic. It’s almost as if we’re writing him off because he seems to be actually enjoying himself out there. On the flip side to your point, maybe – just maybe – this is the best place mentally Tiger has been in a long time.
He’s a tricky guy to figure out. I am not a big Tiger fan or an anti-Tiger guy either, but I find his presence this week to be incredibly more interesting than any other “comeback” tour appearance.
What it comes down to for me as a Fantasy golf player is, in Group 4 – he’s the only guy that could win where I wouldn’t be shocked. So that’s why I take him on golfchannel’s game.
If there is one course where Tiger would be sure he was ready to play before committing to play – it’s Augusta. He’s not coming here to WD or shoot an 80+. He’s coming to compete. If he didn’t think he could, he’d stay home just like he did in 2014.
So in some ways yeah, it seems like he’s more laid back and lost that “killer instinct” but maybe him being here right now is his way of showing he still has it.
Will be really fun to watch him this week, either way!