2007 Masters Preview

2007 Masters Preview

Let’s look at the top ten in the world rankings.

Tiger:  It’s all been said.  Huge surprise if he doesn’t win.  He’s better than Nicklaus.  He’s a lot better than the guys playing now.  Important to know that his contemporaries aren’t bums.  He’s that much better than anyone who has ever existed.  Two wins in three stroke play tournaments this year – and he hasn’t played his best.  Let’s hope he doesn’t shoot 74 on Sunday to win by three.

Mickelson:  He’s got the second best chance at winning.  And it’s a long shot.  Experience pays off at Augusta.  He’ll need to putt well and not making any doubles.  And he needs to not be in a situation where he as to think on 18 on Sunday.  Winning at Pebble this year did not erase crapping the bed at Winged Foot.  He needs to win a major to prove he’s past it.

Furyk:  The changes to the course have not been his friend.  He needs it to play dry and fast – and thunderstorms are predicted Wednesday.  Doesn’t hit it far and doesn’t hit it high.  Great putter, average chipper.   His 2007 to this point is pretty non-descript.  Don’t see it happening.

Els:  Hits it high and hits it long.  Great short game.  But he just hasn’t  been the same since the knee surgery.  Seems to miss a lot of shots to the left.  He’s in his head at Augusta, especially since Mickelson clowned him in ‘04.

Scott:  This guy has everything.  Except the intangibles.  Guys like Crenshaw and Olazabal and Ballesteros hit it all over the yard, and they have seven green jackets between ‘em.  You need a great imagination and a great short game to win the Masters.  Scott, like many of the younger generation (Sergio the exception), is technically sound – more so than a lot of the older players.  But technically sound doesn’t make putts on Sunday.  As evidenced into today’s victory at the Shell Open (and the ‘04 Player’s), he’s prone to yanks when the heat is on.

Stenson:  Yawn.  Big yawn.  Hate the shades.  Bores me.  He has very little experience at Augusta.  He does hit it far.  Whatever.  No chance.

Vijay:  He’s got the third best chance at winning.  He’s won at Augusta and he’s won twice this season.  Looked really good at Arnie’s tournament – especially on the greens, thanks to a putting tip from his son.  Nicklaus got a putting tip from his son before the ‘86 Masters.  Vijay will be there, but like everyone else in the field, he needs to stay within a shot or two of Woods going to Sunday.

Ogilvy:  Maybe.  Decent dark horse pick.  If the reigning US Open champ can be considered a dark horse.  Only his second Masters – T-16 last year.  Pretty solid all around game.  No weaknesses.  Level headed.  Experience is lacking, though.

Goosen:  Been crap in the states lately.  But he likes Augusta and has had some good finishes.  I’d put him in the dark horse group with Ogilvy.  Calm, hits it plenty far.  Won big tournaments.

Harrington:  Pretty blah this year.  He’ll be better served if it’s dry.  Decent record at Augusta - T5 in ‘02.  Long shot.

Does anyone else even have a chance?  Doubt it.

Let’s just hope it’s close on Sunday.