Pro Golf Now
Fansided

The Masters: Everybody’s Trying to Pick the Winner

By Elizabeth Bethel

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 05: Phil Mickelson of the United States speaks to the media during a practice round prior to the start of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 05: Phil Mickelson of the United States speaks to the media during a practice round prior to the start of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Masters predictions can’t anticipate the will of the golf gods.

The Masters always creates a frenzy of predictions and speculations. This year’s no different. For a while, there was the possibility that Tiger would make his comeback appearance at Augusta National and the rumors and guesses kept all of us busy. But when it became clear that the Big Cat wasn’t quite ready we rotated our crystal balls a bit.

Jordan Spieth set the golf world on fire a year ago when he went wire-to-wire at Augusta National. Even the New York Times, which barely gives the sporting world much more than a passing nod, got into the act, waxing eloquent about the “gentleman golfer” from Texas who matched Tiger’s record on golf’s hallowed ground.

But Spieth’s not looking good for his defense this year. Despite an impressive early win at Kapalua Spieth’s game doesn’t seem to be working very well – the Spieth-watchers are pointing to Austin and shaking their heads rather sadly. The oddsmakers are looking elsewhere.

More from Pro Golf Now

Maybe Adam Scott can make a return? Perhaps Rory can shake off what appears to be a personal Masters curse and finish up his career grand slam this year? What about Jason Day, who’s probably the hottest property in the sport as we approach tee time? If Dustin Johnson could just get over his Sunday jitters he has a game that’s practically tailor-made for the Augusta National track. Why isn’t anybody talking about Rickey Fowler, who played like a wild man at Abu Dhabi?

Now the PGA TOUR has tossed Phil Mickelson into the predictive stew. Throwing away the crystal ball in favor of a mathematical formula – privileging rational science over intuitive insight – Bill Cooney is liking Lefty for the win, with Day, Marc Leishman, and all those other guys trailing along behind him.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of these predictions and speculations except that they don’t take into account the unpredictability of the game. Golf is a sport that’s one part skill, one part just plain and simple good fortune.

Why does a ball bounce left instead of right? How can such a small thing find the only pine cone in the rough, or the only unfilled divot in the fairway? Let’s not forget the anguish that can be created by the trail of an ant across the putting surface.

We’re getting ready to settle down and enjoy the best players in the game test their skills against one of the finest tracks in the world in an iconic annual contest. Myself – I’m going to set aside the speculations and enjoy the show that’s about to unfold. This is a game like no other that’s played once a year in a gloriously beautiful setting.

I’m going to see some drives that leave me breathless and some awesome displays of scrambling and putting.  I may also see some moments that remind me how humbling golf can be, sending the best players among us to their knees in anguish when the golf gods shake their fists and snarl. But I intend to enjoy every minute of it because The Masters is golf at its finest.

Next: Jim Nantz: His Favorite Masters Tournaments

Follow ProGolfNow on Twitter and like our Facebook page to get up-to-date commentary on The Masters and all golf events.

Home/Jordan Spieth