Can your pick pass the Masters test?
Experience around Augusta National is vital. Aside from the initial victors when the tournament was in its infancy, there has been only one first-time participant to don a Green Jacket — Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. Tiger Woods needed three attempts, including a missed cut, before he won in 1997 and did not break par until his seventh competitive round and he was quicker than most. Cross off any first timers on your list.
Average number of attempts for last 10 first-time winners (Zach Johnson and Tiger Woods took three each, Mickelson 12, Mark O’Meara 15) – 7
Players making their seventh Masters start this year: Aaron Baddeley, Geoff Ogilvy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson,
Of the Irish, Pádraig Harrington makes his 13th start this year, Darren Clarke his 11th, Graeme McDowell his fourth and Rory McIlroy his third.
Someone who blows hot and cold around Augusta National from year to year is not your man (Mahan Alert – two top10s, two MCs in four starts). You want consistency, strong finishers not flakes, and preferably a guy who knows how to handle the pressure of a back nine in contention on Sunday.
Of the last 10 winners, only Cabrera (three from 11) has missed more than two cuts in his Masters career.
What matters most at the Masters? To win a Green Jacket you need an all-around game firing on all cylinders: length off the tee, an excellent short game to get up and down and nerveless putting on these super-quick, undulating greens.
Take a look at the current leaders in these relevant stats category (Euro and PGA Tours combined, Masters invitees only, to April 1)
For starters, Phil Mickelson has won three of the last eight Masters, last two years ago, and you have to agree with Lee Westwood who on Tuesday said: “I think everybody in this room would have to be naïve to think it’s a two-horse race, wouldn’t they?” And who among us honestly thought Charl Schwartzel would be trying on a Green Jacket 12 months ago. Spin the wheel!
