Can Anyone Catch Jordan Spieth At The Masters?

Apr 10, 2015; Augusta, GA, USA; Jordan Spieth walks up the 13th fairway past a leaderboard during the second round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Spieth is trying his best to try to run away and hide at The Masters, but the rest of the field hasn’t completely lost sight of him just yet. Don’t get me wrong he’s still the favorite in my mind; he’s been the favorite for weeks now so why stop? Out of sheer curiosity and desire for a compelling finish on Sunday I’m trying to search for someone to challenge him. Spieth has to do his part too, he needs to start making some mistakes because if he continues to look this perfect this will be no doubt be his Masters.

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If he does come back to the pack there are some contenders ready to pounce. First one up is Charley Hoffman, who used to be known for his long blonde hair and now it’s his golf game that has him on the map. For those of you who are paying attention to golf for the first time since last August, Hoffman has had a solid year. Just is he ready to play in the final group on the weekend at Augusta? I’m not sure.

Lurking behind him is Dustin Johnson who continues his strong play in 2015, and is currently tied for third, seven shots back of the lead. He’s looked like a different man all year and so far that’s continued this week. We always knew he had the length to compete at Augusta, it’s just he never could do the little things. On Friday he started his day with a disastrous double bogey on the first hole. In previous years that could have made D.J. spiral out of control, instead he immediately made up for it with an eagle on the second hole. If it wasn’t for Spieth’s record setting performance Johnson easily could be the story of the first two rounds.

Tied with him at seven under par is a pair of Englishmen, Paul Casey and Justin Rose. Casey is in the middle of a career revival after a couple of unhealthy seasons. I’ve loved this guy all year and I’m kicking myself for not making him a dark horse prior to the tournament. He has some past history at Augusta too; back in 2004 he finished 6th in his first ever appearance. Fellow countryman Rose, was expected to be a major contender after his break through at Merion two years ago. Maybe he can add an Augusta comeback to his resume.

Then we get to Phil Mickelson who is eight back of Spieth but is someone to always keep an eye on. After a four under par 68 on Friday he will try to stir up the Augusta roars on Saturday. He will be going out a considerable amount of time before Spieth does tomorrow, and could strike some fear into the leader with a hot start. Tiger Woods can do the same but his would really be a miracle. The only reason why he gets a mention here is because he has showed flashes of his old self on Friday. Now I have more confidence that we will see a Girls Gone Wild commercial during the broadcast tomorrow than a Woods victory, but hey can’t hurt to dream right.

Finally there’s Rory McIlroy who will most likely be looking to the 2016 Masters for a shot at the grand slam. It was a roller coaster type of day for him, three bogeys and a double on the front nine had him in danger of missing the cut. He roared back with a 31 on the back side to get him into red figures. The dream isn’t completely over but he would need a Tiger-like miracle to make up a twelve shot deficit.

As we head to the weekend and “Moving Day” the pressure will be on Spieth to make this article insignificant. Deep down I think he will do that, now will he shoot twenty under par? I find that hard to believe. People question how he will sleep on the lead and how will he handle the pressure. Well considering he did this going into the final round last year as a twenty year old and still finished second I think he will handle it just fine tonight. If he doesn’t though and comes out tomorrow with any sign of weakness there will be guys ready to pounce.

Next: Jordan Spieth Sets a Record

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