Golf Majors: Predicting the Major Winners in 2016
By Ryan Andrade
The Masters
Dates: April 7-10
Venue: Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA
Winner: Jordan Spieth (-16)
Jordan Spieth makes it back-to-back at Augusta.
The Masters always kicks off the major cycle in style. I know I really went out on a limb with this pick, but how can you not pick Jordan Spieth? He picked apart this course last year in absolutely dominant fashion, and the year before that he finished T-2.
Spieth said that Augusta National is his favorite course in the world. That is the right mindset to have when you will be playing a major here once every year. If a course fits a PGA TOUR pros’ eye, they always seem to have more success at that course.
Of course there are plenty of challengers to Spieth. Most notably, and most picked I might add, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. Those two have had their share of success at Augusta, but haven’t been able to close the deal. There is no question that those two can overpower this course, however both are streaky putters. You need to be solid inside of 10 feet while also throwing in a few long range putts. Nobody questions Spieth’s putting ability, especially at greens as perfect as these are.
Like most courses, the score is typically affected by the weather. If the course is softer, the guys are going to be firing at pins. If the course plays firm, the fairways will narrow and they will have to pay more attention to these very slopping greens to get the ball close. Let’s just hope for nice sunny weather for all four days!
One of the most critical things at Augusta National is par-5 performance. With all four par-5’s being reachable for the most part, you need to take advantage of these holes. You really want to be double digits under par on the long holes, because the other 14 holes are all you can handle.
Spieth tied the tournament record with his 18-under-par tournament total last year. I’d look for him to flirt with it again in 2016. I’m not sure he can match the 28 birdies he made last year though. Regardless, Spieth will get to enjoy another Masters media tour with the green jacket this year.
Next: The U.S. Open