Posted on 04/05/2011 1:27:01 PM PDT by Doc Savage
2011 Masters: My Picks for the Top Ten (in no particular order,... although I like Luke Donald or Westwood to win.)
Matt Kuchar
Phil Mickelson
Justin Rose
Luke Donald
Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter
Hunter Mahan
Adam Scott
Lee Westwood
Ben Crane
nope.........Rickie Fowler will win the Masters coupling his first win with his first major. Tiger will be second and Phil, fourth.
No offense, but a top ten list in a major tournemount that excludes the name “Tiger Woods” is not one to be taken credibly.
Maybe he’s not the “favorite,” anymore, but he’s playing. ‘Nuff said.
I think Tiger keeps his own "Top Ten" list on his Blackberry.
Carl Spackler....Cinderella Story....IT'S IN THE HOLE!!!
In the past four tournaments, you could have won a lot of money betting on ‘someone else’. Only in 2010 was a favorite in the winner’s circle.
Martin Kaymer
No offense taken. You might be right. But by his own admission he is not putting well. His current putting statistics PLACE him outside the top 100 golfers from 5-10 feet. By his own admission today in his press conference he said that you can't simply putt well at Augusta for a few holes or even for 9 holes, but rather you have to consistently avoid 3 putts and you will have to make 6-10 footers to save par.
When coupled with the fact that he played poorly at Bay Hill recently, and that he's played very few tournaments this year, and he is by his own admission still adapting his swing ala Sean Foley, and he has only been hitting an average of 4 fairways per round, and hasn't won in over two years, and will be playing the first 2 days with McDowell who has literally cleaned his clock the past two years including beating Tiger in a play-off at his OWN tournament, and his life is still a mess,........I'd say he really isn't a factor.
Now that's not saying that the wide fairways and lack of rough at Augusta plus his excellent memories of playing there won't kick-in, but I doubt it. You see, there reasons why I didn't pick him. Sure you can always be sentimental and look back at his record, but it's how he's playing coming in, and I don't find find that to be very well!
Email me if you want on the Golf Ping List:
Visit PGA.com, an excellent site.
Upset special: Nick Watney.
I don’t know,I like Zach Johnson.
Thanks for pinging...
I tried to post a thread but I keep getting asked to sign in....Thanks!
My picks...
Luke Donald to win
Steve Stricker to lurk and be right there
Phil to fight to defend his title. Will be there on Sunday
Tiger shoots -3, good enough for a top 10 finish!!
Remember a few things. 25 years ago the greatest Sunday in Masters history thanks to Jack! My thoughts are with Seve cause without him in Augusta it kind of leaves an empty feeling....
Matt Kuchar has always been one of my favorite golfers. He has been a strong contender since his swing change I put him in my top five.
Nick Watney has the game for Augusta. He's a player who hasn't gotten nearly enough credit even with his PGA wins. He's on my list.
Hunter Mahan is on my list because he's Hunter Mahan. I'm afraid his short game won't hold up for four days, but I like him anyway. I hope if he's in contention on the weekend he has the foresight to shave his chin in case he wins. It would be a shame to have that silly faux Van Dyke be his signature for the history books.
Ryan Moore is from my neighborhood and I have met some people who know him from his junior days. When he played as an amateur and finished 11th he was genuinely pissed. He went there expecting to win and he will feel the same this year.
Graeme McDowell has been on the edge since his Ryder Cup performance and strong finish last year. Don't count him out.
---others contenders---
Ernie Els belongs here because he is Ernie Els. He has all the right stuff (except a Green Jacket of his own).
Rory McIlroy hasn't quite lived up to his hype - this could be the time. He certainly has the game according to his pal Padraig Harrington who isn't one of my picks.
I give equal standing to Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson. They both have long ball distance, amazing shot making ability and when they are feeling the greens they can go low.
Anthony Kim has a bit to prove and he has the game for Augusta. If he's in contention after Friday, he could be a threat.
Kevin Na has been player I've liked since I first saw him play. He's moody, but very talented and can putt lights out.
Justin Rose and Adam Scott are perfect swing robots, but can perform.
Martin Kaymer gets a nod because he's #1 on the world.
Tom Watson is a sentimental favorite of mine who doesn't have four days in him, but I hope he makes it to the weekend for sentimental reasons.
...and then (like noted above) we have to include Tiger, because he's Tiger. But, I don't think he has the mental ability to deal with his swing changes, hi new coach, the media and the fact that he thinks this tournament is about him ...rather than him being a part of MASTERS history.
Phil just became my favorite. Not because of a hunch, but because of having a Spanish themed Champions dinner menu tonight in honor of Seve Ballersteros......
How classy is that?
I expect Freddie “Boom Boom” Couples to make the cut. I’d love to see him make a sentimental run at the jacket.
Never discount the Tiger but his game isn’t in tune to make the last group.
Who’s left..Phil. What’s the InTrade on PM?
Phil is and has always been a class act!
I am befuddled that people who love the game of golf find enjoyment in a movie that exploits vandalizing club grounds.
That’s because it’s only a movie.
....like "Bowling for Columbine"?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.