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2017 Masters: Ranking First-Time Competitors’ Chances to Win

By Mike Randleman

Mar 4, 2017; Mexico City, MEX; Thomas Pieters lines up a putt on the 16th green during the third round of the WGC - Mexico Championship golf tournament at Club de Golf Chapultepec. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Mexico City, MEX; Thomas Pieters lines up a putt on the 16th green during the third round of the WGC - Mexico Championship golf tournament at Club de Golf Chapultepec. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 Masters
Jan 7, 2017; Maui, HI, USA; PGA golfer William McGirt tees off on the first hole during the third round of the Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6 William McGirt

Like Daniel Summerhays on the previous slide, McGirt was among the best on Tour without a win. That is, until the Wofford grad won one of golf’s top non-majors, the Memorial, in June to qualify for the 2017 Masters.

“Dirt McGirt,” as CBS’ Gary McCord and others affectionately refer to him, had a banner season in 2016. The 37-year-old complimented his win with six other top-10s, including a T7 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and a T10 at the PGA Championship.

McGirt paid his dues on the mini tours in his younger days. He’s now risen to No. 54 in the OWGR thanks recently to advancing to the final 16 at the WGC-Dell Match Play and a T9 at the Tournament of Champions.

He wasn’t particularly dominant in one category in 2016, but was top 50 in strokes gained off the tee (36th), SG putting (29th), SG tee to green (41st) and total SG (17th).

Odds to win: +20000

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