The crew from The Golf Channel is now broadcasting from Augusta National and analysts Mark Rolfing and Tim Rosaforte both agree that the atmosphere of anticipation and enthusiasm, always high here, is unprecedented for them. They expect an epic championship, with Rosie calling it a “ battle of the ages”.
We’ve written about the first six on my list of favorites yesterday: Tiger, Phil, Rory, Bubba, Jordan and Dustin. Here are the next six: Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose,Henrik Stenson, Jason Day and Sergio Garcia.
- Justin Thomas: The World #2 has perhaps the most explosive swing on the tour, as he literally jumps into his driver swing. At 145 pounds, he is, pound for pound, the most powerful swinger in the game. His aggressive swing transfers to his gambler’s style approach to the course, as he’s never seen a pin he didn’t think he could reach. Now a major champion and FedEx Cup winner, he’s trying to consolidate that five win career year from 2017 and nothing would do it like a another major, especially one that comes with a green jacket. JT has two wins and nine cuts made of nine this season and ranks #3 in scoring average. He’s building another career year. But the prospect of overtaking DJ for the #1 ranking two weeks ago at the Match Play proved too large a burden. He might be able to shoulder that prospect now but I’m betting he needs a bit more time to climb to the top.
- Jon Rahm: The latest import from the Spanish Armada has taken the PGA Tour by storm these past two seasons. He bombs it, attacks pins, putts without fear, has no weaknesses in his game. Except perhaps, his fiery demeanor. He saw the course for the first time last year when he came tied 27. It’s very rare for a golfer to play his best the first time at The MASTERS given the subtleties of the course. Rahm has all the tools required to win at Augusta National but he still needs some more seasoning.
- Justin Rose: Now ranked #5 in the OWGR, Rose is one the finest ball strikers in the game. He has learned the intricacies of the MacKenzie and Jones master work, with strong performances here in recent years including two runner up finishes, last year losing in a playoff to Sergio. He’s been the best at The MASTERS these past five years in GIR which is a crucial stat for a course known as a second shot track. He has major championship chops, taking honors at Merion in the 2013 U.S.Open. Rose is a streaky putter but if his stroke is on he’ll be donning a green jacket Sunday evening.
- Henrik Stenson: The Big Swede has dropped to #14 in the world but seems to have found some recent form with a tie 6th at last week’s Houston Open. Like Rose, ball striking is Stenson‘s strength but he is capable of superb putting. Case in point was the 2016 Open Championship, where he scored a major championship record tying 63 in the final round and set the all time major championship record score at 264, 20 under par. That round with Phil Mickelson is regarded as the finest duel in major championship history, even outshine the Nicklaus/Watson Duel in the Sun. So Henrik is capable of greatness but will lightning strike twice?
- Jason Day: The former World #1 has slid outside the top 10 down to #11 but he has shown some good recent form, winning at Torrey Pines earlier this year at the Farmer’s Insurance Open. Day has had a bevy of well documented health and family issues the past two years. He has also admitted that wearing the mantle of World #1 wore on him him and that he didn’t handle it well. One thing he’s handled pretty well this season though, is his flat stick, as he is ranked #1 on Tour in Strokes Gained Putting. He’s also handling his other sticks pretty well as his #9 ranking for SG Total will attest. With Day, it’s all about his mind set. Is he ready for another major title?
- Sergio: It was long time coming but Sergio finally broke through to claim his major at the 2017 MASTERS, taking down fellow European Ryder Cup team mate Justin Rose in a sudden death playoff. Only two champions have defended at Augusta, Nick Faldo and Tiger, so the chances for Sergio lie somewhere between slim and none. Could it happen? Sure. But is he in form to have the confidence needed to slay another dragon? The stats for 2018 have Sergio has the tour scoring average leader but his putting rank has slumped to # 129 for SG putting. That doesn’t bode well for a repeat.
That’s the re-cap. It’s very possible that the champ will not be one of the chalk but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on this list.
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