Masters

2016 Golf Majors Predictions

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This is how I feel predicting Major champions!

2016 is an exciting year for golf.  Many of the new young players and all the seasoned veterans are ready for golf’s biggest tournaments.  Golf’s major championships are just around the corner and, as seen in previous years, players are setting their schedules to peak at the right time. Given the rise and fall of players in the top 10 of the world rankings, it is anyone’s guess who will win golf’s most prestigious events this year.

All professional golfers covet the four Majors: The Masters, US Open, The Open, and PGA Championship.  Each unique tournament tests the skill and tenacity of every player.  This year proves to be no different.  In 1930, Bobby Jones became the only player in modern golf to win all four tournaments in one year. Several other players have come close, but none have achieved this great feat. Given the skill of today’s players, this amazing accomplishment will likely not happen this year either, but everyone keeps waiting and hoping for another grand slam in golf!
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Are You Ready for the Masters?

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mastersThe Masters is less than 50 days away! For us snowbound golfing fanatics, April cannot come too soon enough. This year, approximately 95 of the worlds best golfers will make the yearly journey to Augusta Georgia, to vie for the ‘Green Jacket’! This year, The Masters will be played from 7-10 April; are you ready?

Of all the Majors, this one is my favorite. It starts off my golfing season and it is an opportunity get excited to play as I watch the world’s best slug it out. Apparently, I am not alone with view of The Masters stature among the Majors.
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Jordan Spieth Wins the 2015 Masters

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mastersCongratulations to Jordan Spieth for winning his first green jacket. His steady play on Sunday was more than enough to put his first Major in his pocket.

Spieth’s seesaw round was a bit of a surprise to some, but not unexpected by most. His ability rebound for a bogey is what makes champions. The pundits suggested that before the round, Spieth should play more cautiously than the previous three rounds; but with 6 birdies and 3 bogies, he was playing flat-out. The question on most experts mind this morning about how the double bogey on the 17th hole on moving day would affect his game was quickly answered. It didn’t! Jordan Spieth earned his first Major Championship by winning the 2015 Masters….perhaps, the first of many.

Other notables today were all the players between 4th and 9th position. In reality after everything was all said and done, they were playing for second place. Their low scores were just a little to late. In most tournaments, one exceptional round would put a player in contention to win, but a Major, not so much. It takes at least two and usually three great rounds to win any Major. But, hats off that group for making a great showing down the stretch.

Jordan Spieth was not my first choice to win the 2015 Masters. I thought that Rory McIlroy would complete his career grand slam, but not this year. This feat is very rare, but McIlroy has plenty of time to yet. Overall, I was 50/50 selecting players to win. Here is how I made out:

  • Phil Mickelson – T2
  • Jimmy Walker – T39
  • Jason Day – T28
  • Jordan Spieth – 1st
  • Rory McIlroy – 4th
  • Dark Horse – Matt Kuchar – T46

Overall, not too to bad. I did, however, think that Jimmy Walker would have played better at Augusta this year. He only stepped on to the Major’s scene last year, so he does not have the seasoning that other players have. Although he is considered one of the hottest players in golf right now, playing in a Major is extremely difficult and he may need a bit more seasoning before he is ready to compete at that level.

It was exciting to watch Jordan Spieth rise to the élite ranks by winning his first Major. At 21 years old, he has many years ahead where he can continue to excite the golfing world. He reminds me of a young Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods; hopefully he will be able to handle the new notoriety and stay in form for many years to come.

Again, Congratulations to Jordan Spieth on winning the 2015 Masters.

Bring on The Open!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The Masters – Day 3 – Catch Me If You Can

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Jordan Spieth

Catch Me If You Can!

At the start of moving day at the Masters, the theme was ‘catch me if you can’! Jordan Spieth’s 6 shot lead going into Saturday’s round had many pundits gazing into their crystal ball predicting a record-low winning score. Expectations of another 5 or 6 under par round from the second round leader grew exponentially as his tee time approached! However, as the day unfolded, the real story came from past Major champions who live and die on moving day.

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods were the players to watch during the third round.  Having giant-slayers and tenacious competitors zeroing in on your position is unnerving for most players. Added to that, having Mickelson race up the leaderboard early, must have had Jordan Spieth looking over his shoulder. Bogeying the last hole dampened Woods charge, but his play was reminiscent of the Tiger of old.

Lest not forget Rory McIlroy; his play for the first 15 holes was spectacular. But, dropping two stokes in the last three holes basically eliminated him from winning unless he shoots a course record on Sunday. But that is unlikely given he is 10 strokes back.

With all the hoopla and focus on the big three, Spieth seems to have learned his lesson from last year, kept his composure until the last two holes, but still finished comfortably atop of the leaderboard at 16 under par.

A just for fun fact, Jordan Spieth made 22 birdies in the first 54 holes! How good is this guy?

We will find out tomorrow when he goes head to head against Justin Rose. Wait, where did he come from? With a birdie on the 18th hole, the 2013 US Open Champion carded a solid 67 and outright second place. Tomorrow, Rose will definitely test Spieth at every opportunity and hopefully close the 4 shot gap.

There is one player who very few golfing experts picked to be in the mix on Sunday at Augusta. Charley Hoffman is surprising the masses by his consistent play and no-fear approach to playing against the world’s best. A classic journeyman player, Hoffman has a few moments in the spotlight since earning his card in 2006, but for the most part, he has worked hard and played to the middle of the pack. (Wikipedia)

YEAR EVENTS ROUNDS FEDEX
PLAYED 1ST 2ND 3RD TOP 10 TOP 25 MADE CUT CUT WD STANDING
2015 13 1 1 — 2 5 9 4 — 7
2014 25 — — 1 5 10 21 4 — 53
2013 23 — — 1 5 8 19 4 — 61
2012 27 — 1 — 2 6 18 9 1 69
2011 27 — 1 — 2 6 20 7 — 41
2010 24 1 — — 5 8 18 6 — 4
2009 27 — 1 — 4 11 22 5 — 37
2008 29 — — — 3 6 19 10 — 70
2007 30 1 — — 2 7 18 12 — 50
2006 29 — — — 5 10 21 8 — —

Hoffman’s record at the Majors would be considered poor by most standards. However, if he was to go on and win the 2015 Masters, his life would change for ever. This year, Hoffman is demonstrating that he can play under Masters’ pressure, it will be interesting to see where he goes from here.

Tournament 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Masters Tournament DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T27 DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open T48 DNP DNP DNP DNP T45 DNP T45 DNP
The Open Championship DNP T35 DNP CUT DNP CUT DNP DNP T67
PGA Championship DNP CUT DNP CUT DNP CUT CUT T40 CUT

Charley Hoffman is a perfect example of how any journeyman can compete or even win on any given day! The top 100 players in the world are separated by so little, that the number of first time winners this year on the PGA Tour should not be a big surprise to anyone. Solidly in 4th place, Hoffman will play with Phil Mickelson on Sunday. Good luck tomorrow Charley!

The theme of today was ‘catch me if you can’! Several players moved up the leaderboard, but Jordan Spieth repelled all challengers. Sunday at the Masters is the toughest test of all. To win at Augusta National, playing well on Sunday is a must; it is what defines the champions who wear the green jacket!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

The Masters – Day 2 – Moving Day?

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Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth Masters Leader after Day 2.

Today felt like “moving day” at the Masters! The number of players jockeying for position reminded me of the Kentucky Derby! Well, halfway through the race anyway. Jordan Spieth carded another stellar round and by all accounts, he just might be wearing his first green jacket. But hold your horses everyone, we are only just getting started.

Great rounds by Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Ryan Moore and Kevin Na have caught everyone’s attention. Their low rounds have vaulted these players into the top 10 and the golfing world is abuzz with the possibilities of what will happen tomorrow! Let us not forget Charley Hoffman; his round of 68 keeps him within striking distance of, the now perennial favorite, Jordan Spieth. Any other year, Hoffman would be leading the Masters and would be the focus of all the attention.

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Mark O’Meara show why veterans cannot be counted out at any time. In true Masters fashion, their slow and steady approach kept them in the hunt for another day. Mickelson’s 4 under currently has him sitting in 6th place, 8 strokes back. A big shout out to Mark O’Meara who shot 68 today and is sitting tied for 12th. At 58 years-old, O’Meara was never in the picture, but he is competing against the world’s best and succeeding. Surprised?

Ernie Els shot even par today. His score did not hurt him, but did not help him either. With the leaders shooting sub-par rounds, Els will have to shoot a 68 tomorrow to keep pace and have any kind of chance at winning this year’s Masters.

There were plenty of surprises today. The biggest was three rounds of 66. Normally, 6 under par will happen once or twice over the Masters’ weekend, but three in one day! Additionally, I was impressed by the composure of Jordan Spieth. At 21 years old, he is demonstrating the wiles of a seasoned veteran. As I mentioned before, we are only at the half way point and whether he or any other contender can keep focused will remain to be seen.

Tomorrow is the real “Moving Day!” The weather forecast calls for 80 degrees and 10 mph winds for Saturday and Sunday. For the Masters to become a closer tournament this year, two things must happen: Jordan Spieth must take off his superman cape, then give it to one of the players chasing him. Anything can happen on ‘Moving Day”, so stay glued to your TV and watch all the action!

I am a grateful golfer. See you on the links!