Here’s what we all have been waiting for, no not The Masters but rather the Links Life Golf crew’s Masters Picks.
The boys here at LLG love their golf, love The Masters and really love busting each other balls.
This 80th Masters is primed for some major fireworks and our picks add that special something for all of us.
G. Rennie will start us off and as usual he leads the pack with the depth of his analysis and sheer volume of words.
It’s spring in Georgia, thank heaven, but not up here in the wilds of New England as a late snow storm has stolen another week from our golfing calendar.
I feel as if I should be writing this on a blackboard since I’m going all chalk with my picks.
Phil Mickelson. At 45 Phil is leading the Tour in scoring average just like he was in both 2004 and 2006 when he went on to win in each of those tournaments. But he hasn’t won a tournament since the 2013 Open Championship. Is he on form or just talking a good game, teasing the believers who won’t give up on Lefty. I don’t know. But on this 30th anniversary of Jack’s incomparable, incredible 6th Masters title a victory by Phil would be the best story possible.
Adam Scott. The first of two back to back winners in this year’s wrap around PGA Tour season, Scott has traveled back to the future in a bid to reassert himself into the conversation of who is The Man in golf’s current Pantheon. With perhaps the most admired swing in today’s game, Scott has been a shadow of his early brilliant self these past few years on the greens as his damaged psyche leaned on the crutch of a broomstick putter. The one great exception to underachieving for Scott was his sudden death win on #10 over Angel Cabrera at the 2013 Masters. Thanks to the ban on anchored putting, Scott was forced to dedicate himself to swinging a short stick . He now looks like the 24 year old wunderkind who scorched the greens at TPC Sawgrass at the 2004 PLAYERS.
Jason Day. Another Aussie, another back to back winner on Tour this year, Day is carrying a two win streak into Augusta. Only two golfers have won the Masters with a two tourney winning streak under their belt- Jack and Tiger. Heady company for Day to stroll with but this kid is special and he seems to have developed the ability to will himself to perform in tough situations, under the pressure of major championships, even when his health or fitness are sub-par.
Jordan Spieth. He’s off form since his win at Kapalua in January, was dunking balls in Houston like a cop in a coffee shop, following up missed putts with a torrent of words and he’s right where he wants to be. Spieth is the most transformative and magical force in golf today. I picked against him at the PGA last August because I though he was exhausted and he pushed Day all the way and finished second. I think he’s off form now- so I have to pick him. Defending the green jacket is extremely difficult and only three great champions have done do. Jordan has the stuff to join that illustrious group.
Dark Horse. Andy Sullivan. The young Englishman had a breakout year on The European Tour in 2015 with 3 wins. He’s shown improving form in recent play in the US with two top twenties in his last three events. He’ll surprise many in his first trip to The Masters.
The Greek uses far less words than Rennie but plenty more strokes. He likes Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Henrik Stenson and a real Dark Horse with Kevin Kisner.
Gordo who isn’t in search of his swing but rather his clubs makes perhaps the most intriguing pick of all, Bryson DeChambeau and he may get some mileage out of the quirky amateur. He likes Adam Scott, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama. Marc Leishman is his Dark Horse.
Lil’ Skins is heartbroken that his man, Miguel Angel Jimenez isn’t at Augusta this week but loves Phil Mickelson to earn his 4th green jacket. He likes Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Ryan Moore as a Dark Horse.
Big Dick will have to watch his picks from the Left Coast and selects Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Phil the Thrill. He likes Matt Kuchar for his Dark Horse.
Big Skins. I’ll keep it short, sweet and victorious. Jason Day because he is playing better than anyone right now and has learned how to close the deal when he needs to.
Rory McIlroy can take apart any golf course and he wants that Grand Slam so bad. He needs to stick to a plan that keeps him out of trouble and control his temper. If he can eat up those par 5’s he’s got his green jacket.
Adam Scott has been reborn since he was forced to go to a regulation putter and is primed for a great finish and earn another green jacket.
My Dark Horse is Matt Kuchar who has a good track record at Augusta with three top tens in his last four starts.
But my top pick, both with my head and my heart is Phil Mickelson. Phil the Thrill will thrill us again as he dons his fourth green jacket. He has been playing so well and even though he is winless this season every swing, drive, chip, putt both on the course and on the practice range has been directed at this week. Phil is at the stage where only majors gets his motor running. He has been all smiles this week as he says he is so jazzed and happy to be playing so well. He’ll be smiling again on Sunday evening, sitting in Butler Cabin wearing that green jacket and that winner’s smile.
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