Master's Preview and Predictions

 No matter the year, no matter the time, Master's week will always feel like Master's week. Because - IT'S THE MASTER'S!! A tradition like no other! 

Of course, because it is 2020 after all, it will be a little different. Not hearing the roars after a great shot, nor the sighs after a missed kick in, let alone the dead silence when the winner walks up the 72nd hole. However, once you get past all that, it's still the picturesque course it's always been, it's still Amen Corner and it's still seeing the best players work their way through Augusta bringing back all the great memories it always does. 

In what has been a devastating year worldwide for obvious reasons, the sport of golf has flourished. Mainly because there has been literally nothing else to do. Getting a tee time in the year 2020 is like trying to book an appointment with your dermatologist. Tons of People worldwide looking for a way to get out of the house have settled on 18 holes. As a result, the sport has readily grown in popularity. Master's week coming in November is a perfect way to cap off a good year for golf and serves as another great opportunity to build and stabilize their growing fanbase even further. Because any golfer knows that it is an addiction and once you are in the golf world, you are in it for LIFE. 

So, on the eve of Round 1, who should you keep your eye on and maybe place a wager on if you are a betting person? 

Here are a few players I think have a great opportunity to add a Green Jacket to their wardrobe:

Dustin Johnson

DJ might have the most raw talent of any golfer out there. He is also playing some of the best of golf of his life at the moment. He took home 3 wins in 2020 playing in just 14 events. He also took home the FedEx Cup to cap off a really solid year. In the past, he has been known to crumble in the biggest spots. He was finally able to get the Major monkey off his back at the 2016 U.S. Open which immediately takes the Rickie Fowler-esque weight off his back. And this of course being the year of no fans, DJ is certainly a player that will benefit from that as much as anybody. As long as he avoids falling down a flight of stairs before his tee-time on Thursday like he did in 2019 I think you can take it to the bank that he will be right in the thick of things on Sunday. 

Jon Rahm

This of course, is a name that's been circulating over the past 24 hours after his circus skip-to-my-lou hole-in-one during his practice round on Tuesday. On his birthday no less! Although I doubt we will see such a shot when it counts, the 26 year old Spaniard has been a prominent figure on leaderboards since he joined the PGA Tour in 2016. Although he has yet to claim his first Major trophy, he has placed top 5 in 3 of the 4 majors (Including the Master's) and if the hot-headed Rahm can avoid a blow-up, he is certainly a guy that can hang with all the big hitters and green maestro's when he is on his game. It is also worth mentioning that removing the crowd from the equation could serve well for a guy like Rahm who tends to struggle keeping his emotions in check. 

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler has time and time again been in the mix at The Master's. Although being a huge household name in the sport, the 31 year old American has been unable to get over the hump. He has struggled mightily in 2020 which might signal that his best days on the course are behind him. However, I am not one who practices that school of thought. This is a guy who has placed runner up in 3 of the 4 Majors and has placed top 3 in all 4. Someone who bears the pressure of breaking through at a Major like Rickie will certainly benefit from having no crowd to remind him every shot of that pressure should bode well for Rickie. It also figures to be a saucy week at Augusta with a lot of rain in the forecast. This could neutralize  the power of some of the big hitters and serve as an advantage for guys like Rickie who largely rely on their flat stick to make up shots. Although I certainly wouldn't call Rickie Fowler a favourite by any stretch, but everything that this year and week in particular is serving seems to be playing into his hand. 

Brooks Koepka

Although it's been an injury riddled year for Koepka, the 4 time Major winner always seems to perform the best when the stakes are the highest. This has no doubt been the tournament he has had circled on his calendar in 2020 as it would leave just The Open Championship left on his quest for a Grand Slam. He also finished last week's Houston Open with a final round 67 vaulting him into a tie for 5th. It seems like his game is rounding into form at the perfect time. Don't be surprised if big game Brooks takes home this year's Green Jacket. 

Bryson DeChambeau 

No doubt the most polarizing figure in the golf world right now, Bryson transformed his body in 2020 and now hits the ball further than anybody. He is convinced he can overpower any golf course. At the U.S. Open, he proved that he might be right after his massive 6 stroke victory. Although the conditions don't seem to be playing in his favour, this guy seems to be changing the sport and if he is at the top of his game, everyone else could be playing for 2nd place like they were at the 2020 U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods 

I would be remiss if I ended this blog without mentioning the reigning Master's Champ. His 5th Green Jacket and 15th Major title. He is the GOAT for a reason. I don't care about his lacklustre performance this year nor the fact that he's 44 and has a bad back. This is a guy who has mastered the mental game of golf better than anyone ever has. If he puts his mind to it I am convinced there is nothing Tiger Woods can't do on a golf course. Don't be shocked if the defending champ pulls another rabbit out of his hat. It is Tiger Woods after all.