This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
Tiger Woods is not participating in the Masters this year. As recently as five years ago, a statement such as that would have quashed nearly all interest in the Masters. Check that, nothing can quash nearly all interest in the Masters, but you get the point; five years ago, Tiger still was golf.
Fast forward half a decade and news of Tiger's absence was met with a collective yawn. Why? Simple, the PGA Tour is as healthy now as it has been at any time during the post-Tiger era. While we anticipated Tiger's decision, we certainly weren't devastated by the news and that's because Tiger's storyline is just one of many that are currently holding our interest. For example, there's Jason Day and his quest to put together the best 12-month stretch since Tiger Woods in 2000. There's the defending champion Jordan Spieth, who just so happened to have a pretty good run himself last year. He's trying to find that form this year and just might be on the brink. Don't forget about Rory McIrloy; you know, the best golfer in the world just 18 months ago. Can Rory win a green jacket and take the crown back? What about Bubba, Phil, DJ, Rose, Scott and Fowler? All the names mentioned, everyone one of them would be interesting winner this week.
Of course, there's always a chance that someone from outside this elite group wins and that would be a story in of itself, but the way the tour
Tiger Woods is not participating in the Masters this year. As recently as five years ago, a statement such as that would have quashed nearly all interest in the Masters. Check that, nothing can quash nearly all interest in the Masters, but you get the point; five years ago, Tiger still was golf.
Fast forward half a decade and news of Tiger's absence was met with a collective yawn. Why? Simple, the PGA Tour is as healthy now as it has been at any time during the post-Tiger era. While we anticipated Tiger's decision, we certainly weren't devastated by the news and that's because Tiger's storyline is just one of many that are currently holding our interest. For example, there's Jason Day and his quest to put together the best 12-month stretch since Tiger Woods in 2000. There's the defending champion Jordan Spieth, who just so happened to have a pretty good run himself last year. He's trying to find that form this year and just might be on the brink. Don't forget about Rory McIrloy; you know, the best golfer in the world just 18 months ago. Can Rory win a green jacket and take the crown back? What about Bubba, Phil, DJ, Rose, Scott and Fowler? All the names mentioned, everyone one of them would be interesting winner this week.
Of course, there's always a chance that someone from outside this elite group wins and that would be a story in of itself, but the way the tour is going, it's going to be an elite player putting the jacket on this week. After we have our winner, we can wonder when Tiger will be back. But for now, Augusta holds all of our attention.
This week: The Masters - Augusta National Country Club - Augusta, Ga.
Last Year: Jordan Spieth shot a final-round 70 on his way to a four-stroke victory over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Jordan Spieth
Spieth is slowly starting to regain his form, and by week's end I expect him to be on top of his game. Spieth has struggled the last couple months, but he's played well the last two weeks and a return trip to Augusta should be exactly what he needs. Spieth's record here, while brief, is very impressive. In two starts, Spieth has a win and a runner-up.
Jason Day
What is the ultimate measure of the best player in the world? Perhaps this: if all golfers were at their best, who would win? In my mind, that's Jason Day. I say that because he has a more powerful game than Spieth and a better mental game than McIlroy. Throw in some outrageous putting and Day is unstoppable when he's on. The only reason he's second on this list is his track record at Augusta, which is good, but not great.
Rory McIlroy
If you are looking for sleepers, you'll have to look elsewhere. With so many elite golfers with solid track records at this event, there's simply no reason to look for a sleeper. McIlroy's track record here is surprisingly ho-hum. He's had a couple decent runs, but his record on the whole pales in comparison to many others. So why is he on the list? His form is very solid entering the week, and he knows how to win a major.
Bubba Watson
A word of caution, Bubba is either on here or he's off. There's no in between with Watson; he's not going to contend and finish fifth, he's either going to win or be a non-factor. At least, that's the M.O. the last five years. Bubba has done enough this year to warrant consideration this week and has won this tournament in every even year since 2012.
Phil Mickelson
This is about as close to a sleeper as you are going to get. While I'm at it, I should mention that this list could easily go 10-deep this week, but I had to make the cut somewhere. Mickelson is an intriguing pick this week because he obviously has the track record here and his form has been pretty solid this year. Is there another magical run in him this week?
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Rickie Fowler
Fowler is one of the few big names you can safely avoid this week. He has played well at the majors the last couple years, but he has only one top-10 in five starts at the Masters. Fowler has the talent to win this week, but there's too much talent in front of him. He'll be a better pick at one of the final three majors.
Ernie Els
Els has six top-10s at Augusta, but considering he's teed it up 21 times here, that number does not look so impressive. Also consider that he hasn't cracked the top 10 at the Masters in more than a decade and you have justification to pass on him this week.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson will win a major someday, but not this week. He's fighting an uphill battle at Augusta because there's so much talent with much better track records. Even if DJ were to get into contention this week, do you really think he could hold up mentally?
Charl Schwartzel
Schwartzel is a Masters champion, but that win appears to be more of an outlier when viewed with his other results. His win in 2011 is his only top-10 here and while he does have a couple top-25s, 2011 remains as the only year he seriously contended.
Hunter Mahan
Where to start? Mahan is nearing the point where I have to justify his position on this list, much like I had to with Appleby last week. He's becoming such a non-factor that he may not appear on this list for the rest of the season. Top 10 here last year, but he's nowhere near that golfer now.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Phil Mickelson (T13) - $123,760; Season - $5,164,627
This week: Jordan Spieth - So many good options this week, but Spieth showed me just enough last week to pull the trigger on him this week. Spieth's lack of length may come into play at other majors, but Augusta is no longer a big-hitter's course. Spieth can easily maneuver the par-5s here and as long as his putter is on, he'll be a factor.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 1599
Rank: 31,556
This Week:
Group A: Jordan Spieth, Jason Day
Group B: Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson, Justin Rose
Group C: Louis Oosthuizen, Matt Kuchar
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Charley Hoffman (T33); Streak - 12
This week: Jordan Spieth - The streak is reaching DiMaggio proportions, in golf weeks anyway. I'm not about to play around and get fancy this week. I'm taking the guy whom I think is the eventual winner, so he'll obviously make the cut, right?
