Can you feel it in the air? The birds chirping, the flowers blooming, the weather is warming up. If you're like me, you love spring time, though probably not for the right reasons. I love spring because that means the Masters is upon us.
This year is an interesting one for the Masters. I don't think there is an outright favorite. Golf has seen a lot of different winners this year. That means a lot more first time players in the Masters.
This may be the most wide-open Masters of all time. Which, to me, can be good or bad. I am always for seeing great golf from a player we don’t know. That is the most pressure these guys have ever felt in their life, and it’s so much fun to see if they can handle the pressure or if they choke!
I get it though. No one wants to see another 2016 happen. Do you remember who won in 2016? Of course you don’t, because he has never really been heard from again. England’s Danny Willett took home the green jacket after Jordan Spieth’s meltdown.
I think this edition of the Masters has a chance to be an instant throwback classic. Not sure if that's a thing, but that's what everyone could be saying after this weekend.
I say that because two of the game's biggest golfers have a chance to win - post 40 years of age. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are two of the Tour's oldest, but are still performing at a high level.
Tiger is feeling free. Everything about him tells me all I need to know. He seems like a guy who is able to finally have fun while playing, both on and off the course.
Phil Mickelson on the other hand, is playing better and better every week. Phil knows Augusta as well as anyone. The shot imagination he has is what makes him dangerous every year. When Phil is on, he can hit every shot. Augusta is a place where you need to be precise. Phil has the ability to be ultra precise. As with Tiger, it wouldn't surprise me if Phil won. But do I think he will? You'll have to wait for the end.
Rory McIlroy is coming off a Players win, and needs a Master's victory to complete the career grand slam. Augusta has been harsh to Rory in the past. He had a 4 shot lead in 2011, but duck-hooked his drive into the cabins on 10, and the rest is history.
Rory has 3 straight finishes in the top 10 at the Masters, each year finishing higher than the last. This is shaping up to be the year for Rory. Do I think he'll win? You'll have to wait for the end! Duhhhh.
Rickie Fowler is looking for the first major of his career. It's an excruciating wait for someone of his caliber to continue to search for that first one. I have been on the Rickie train for the last three years, and I have picked him so many times to win a major. I can't do it anymore. I would love to see him win, but I don't think it's happening.
Dustin Johnson is always a threat in every tournament he enters. He has his major under his belt, but he doesn't have a green jacket. He has a good track record at Augusta (except for when he slipped and fell down his stairs and had to withdraw two years ago) and is someone who can catch fire at any time. I expect him to finish near the top, but he hasn't shown me this year he is in major shape.
Jon Rahm is a VERY talented young golfer, but he can't control his temper. He has shown time and time again that small mistakes turn him into the Hulk. He can't control it and ends up hurting his game in the end. I think we see him near the top, but a blow-up is imminent. When that happens, it's over.
I'm going to lump the next few guys together because they are all going to be middle of the pack guys this year. Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson, Jason Day, Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose, and Justin Thomas; I don't think it's going to happen for these guys this year.
I didn't mention Jordan Spieth for a reason. I think the 2016 Masters collapse has hurt his game. Ever since then he hasn't been the same golfer. He has been more moody, less consistent, and hasn't been the Jordan Spieth of old; the Jordan Spieth that stole two majors to start 2015. His collapse is not going to define his career, but right now, it's a shining moment on why he hasn't won a major since.
Time for my pick to win it all this year. Drumroll please!!!!
My pick to win the 2019 Masters Tournament IS….
Rory McIlroy.
You may roll your eyes at that pick, but it's the smart one. He is playing so well this year and finally got the closeout victory he needed at the Players. Tiger and Phil are the fun pick, but not the smart one.
Rory’s 2011 meltdown has been haunting him since that fateful Sunday, but I think he's ready to put it behind him. His newfound outlook is only going to help him with that. I think when he wins he'll be the first to admit he is happy he can finally put those questions to rest. Masters champion and a career grand slam are not too shabby for a 29 year-old golfer from Holywood, Ireland.