Tiger Woods not being at this year’s Masters has the tendency to overshadow the notion that no one was sizing him up for another green jacket prior to announcing his recent back surgery. Woods, a four-time Masters champ who last won the tournament in 2005, is missing the event for the first time in 20 years and it is uncertain when he’ll make it back to the PGA Tour.
In the meantime, this year has already been one of previously unheralded golfers becoming stars. Veteran Jimmy Walker is among the hottest players on the planet, having taken three titles in this PGA Tour season, followed closely by relative newcomer Patrick Reed, who has two victories.
In all, it is a wide-open year for the Masters, without a frontrunner, though Vegas oddsmakers have Irish star Rory McIlroy as its pick.
“I would say the field is as wide open as it has been in a long time,” says former champion, Canadian Mike Weir. “There are so many guys playing well, not the traditional guys you’ve seen in the last 10 or 15 years. That’s good. The field is deep. The talent level is deep. We could have a first-time winner out there.”
Defending champ: Adam Scott
Scott, who won last year’s Masters in dramatic form in a playoff, appeared to have his game in fine shape a couple of weeks back by leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida through three rounds. Despite a seemingly insurmountable lead, Scott melted down, and that disappointment, coupled with his failure at the 2012 British Open, where he lost on the final hole, has led some to question whether the Australian has the cahones to repeat at Augusta National.
Oddsmaker’s pick: Rory McIlroy
McIlroy has vowed to step up with Woods not in the field this week and make amends for his epic blow up in 2011 when he had the lead and shot 80 in the final round. McIlroy has played well this year – though a final round stumble at the Honda moved him into second-place – and he has the game for Augusta. Now, a few years removed from his failure on Augusta’s carpet-like fairways, McIlroy has the opportunity to remove himself from Woods’ shadow.
Twenty-somethings: Patrick Reed, Harris English, Jordan Spieth
There has been a lot of talk about golf’s youth movement, led by players like Reed, who has won three times in the last year, English, who has a win and six Top 10 finishes, and Presidents Cup star Spieth, are all being discussed as the game’s next superstar. However, there’s only been one winner in his first appearance at the Masters, and that makes it unlikely that anyone from this group will rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Of the game’s young guns, Spieth, who has an exceptional short game, might have the best chance at Augusta.
Veterans: Jimmy Walker, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson
Walker is a golfer who keeps getting better, Dustin Johnson seems to be reaching his limitless potential, and Zach Johnson is the sneaky veteran and past winner who is again having a fine year heading into the Masters.
Dustin Johnson’s ability to smash the ball for miles would seem to be a great fit for Augusta, but his short game has long held him back. Zach Johnson is a streaky player who has not excelled at Augusta since winning the green jacket. The surprise might well be Walker, a big hitter and great putter who is having a breakout year.
Canadians: Mike Weir and Graham DeLaet
It is the tale of careers going in different directions. Weir, who won the Masters 11 years ago, is struggling to find some form, having been derailed by injuries and swing changes. DeLaet, on the other hand, has emerged as one of golf’s best players, a bomber of the ball who has vastly improved his short game. Still, he’s only seen Augusta National once, making it tough to have expectations of his performance.
Despite being his first Masters appearance, DeLaet has an interesting fact working in his favor. The average age of a Masters winner has been 32.66 years, and DeLaet is 32.25 when he tees it up next week.
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