This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
There is no dictionary definition of a "choke job" in sports, but it's generally accepted to be a mental breakdown that leads to a physical breakdown. Although the athlete might appear to be functioning on the outside, on the inside, he is crumbling.
There's simply no way around it, Jordan Spieth choked on Sunday. This isn't piling on either; it's just the only way to describe the events Sunday at the Masters. How do we know there was a mental breakdown? Simple, Spieth's tee shot on 12 was a poor decision; perhaps poor execution as well, but it happens, especially on Sunday at the Masters. What happened next is what makes this a choke job.
No way Spieth puts a ball in the water there if his mind is present. The only way a golfer of his caliber chunks that shot, or any shot for that matter, is if his mind wanders. The odd thing is, he was still in good shape prior to that shot, but it's difficult to find perspective when you're coming off two bogies and you just put a ball in the water. Spieth was able to pull it together down the stretch, but the damage was done.
On Saturday, Spieth looked like a seasoned vet who was unshakable; on Sunday, it was just the opposite. Fortunately for Spieth, he's young and will have plenty of time to learn from this. If he's as strong as we think he is, this might be the last choke
There is no dictionary definition of a "choke job" in sports, but it's generally accepted to be a mental breakdown that leads to a physical breakdown. Although the athlete might appear to be functioning on the outside, on the inside, he is crumbling.
There's simply no way around it, Jordan Spieth choked on Sunday. This isn't piling on either; it's just the only way to describe the events Sunday at the Masters. How do we know there was a mental breakdown? Simple, Spieth's tee shot on 12 was a poor decision; perhaps poor execution as well, but it happens, especially on Sunday at the Masters. What happened next is what makes this a choke job.
No way Spieth puts a ball in the water there if his mind is present. The only way a golfer of his caliber chunks that shot, or any shot for that matter, is if his mind wanders. The odd thing is, he was still in good shape prior to that shot, but it's difficult to find perspective when you're coming off two bogies and you just put a ball in the water. Spieth was able to pull it together down the stretch, but the damage was done.
On Saturday, Spieth looked like a seasoned vet who was unshakable; on Sunday, it was just the opposite. Fortunately for Spieth, he's young and will have plenty of time to learn from this. If he's as strong as we think he is, this might be the last choke job we ever see from Spieth.
This week: RBC Heritage - Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, S.C.
Last Year: Jim Furyk shot a final-round 63 on his way to a playoff victory over Kevin Kisner.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Matt Kuchar
Kuchar has a strong track record here, including a top-5 last year and a win the year prior. He doesn't appear to be at the top of his game entering this week, but a return to Harbour Town could change that. Kuchar not only has a lot of upside this week, but he's an incredibly safe pick as well.
Jason Day
Day is the best player in the field this week, but as usual, there's a disclaimer. You are probably better served saving him for a major later in the season. That said, he was just a bit off last week, and if he makes a couple putts this week, he could easily win again.
Paul Casey
Casey has a limited track record at this event, but in his three starts here, he's played well for the most part. He doesn't have any top-10s, but he's managed to sneak into the top 25 all three times. His form is sound as well as he's coming off a nice showing at the Masters last week.
Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker's history here is all over the place, but he won in 2011 and has missed only two cuts in 10 starts. Snedeker has played well this season, and it seems like he's about to put it all together. If he does that this week, he'll likely win.
Davis Love III
Once upon a time Love III owned this event. He won this event five times from 1986 to 2013, and when he wasn't winning it, he was contending. That was a long time ago, however, and we all know Love III isn't the player he once was. Still, Love III has turned his game around over the last year and could definitely contend again this year.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Zach Johnson
Johnson has two top-10s here, one as recently as 2012, but his overall track record here is lacking. In his last three starts, he's finished 48th, 61st and missed the cut. Johnson is one of the steadier players on the PGA Tour, but for some reason, he's not reliable at Harbour Town.
Carl Pettersson
Pettersson won this event in 2012, which is enough to put him on the radar, but his history here is a bit scattered and his form this year has been awful. Pettersson has made only one cut since the calendar turned and that resulted in a T59.
Charles Howell III
Howell III is known as an early season golfer, but as we are now into April, Howell III's time has passed. His track record here seems to reflect that as he's missed the cut four times in 10 starts and has never finished inside the top 10.
Bill Haas
It's amazing that a golfer of Haas' caliber could have as poor a track record that he has here, but facts are facts. The fact is that Haas has missed more cuts here than he's made. In 11 starts, he's made the cut just five times.
Stewart Cink
Much like Davis Love III, there was a time when Cink was a staple at this event, but also like Love III, Cink's game left him in the years since. Unlike Love III, Cink has not had a resurgence over the last 12 months, which is why he's on this list.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Jordan Spieth (T2) - $880,000; Season - $6,044,627
This week: Paul Casey - A couple weeks ago my pick came down to Matt Kuchar and Paul Casey. I chose Kuchar that week, so obviously I'm left with Casey this week, but it's not like I'm stuck with leftovers. Casey is a solid option this week and should be in contention come Sunday.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 1,961
Rank: 29,352
This Week:
Group A: Jason Day, Justin Thomas
Group B: Brandt Snedeker, Luke Donald, Davis Love III, Jason Dufner
Group C: Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Jordan Spieth (T2); Streak - 13
This week: Bryson DeChambeau - Getting into rarified air here as the streak is now at 13. I'm taking a bit of a risk this week with DeChambeau, but considering that I can't use Kuchar or Snedeker, there really doesn't seem to be a safe pick this week, so what the heck. DeChambeau appears to be a special talent, and I expect a strong start to his professional career this week.
