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

No. 1 Jon Rahm

Let’s forget the Masters rookie stuff. Rahm is a legitimate contender among anyone to win this week.

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The 22-year-old Spaniard rallied from five down through eight holes to push the world’s hottest player in the world, No. 1 Dustin Johnson, to the 18th hole before DJ prevaled at the WGC-Dell Match Play last week. A missed cut at August’s Wyndham Championship is Rahm’s only blemish in his last 19 events on the PGA Tour.

In that span, Rahm won against solid competition at the Farmers Insurance Open, tied for third at the WGC-Mexico Championship and was runner-up at the Canadian Open. The dude is on fire.

Few can match his power off the tee and ball-striking (3rd in strokes gained tee to green on the PGA Tour in 2017). However, his putter (60th in strokes gained putting) and short game (76th strokes gained around the green) can be both his friends and enemies in the same round, a point of concern at Augusta.

A Jordan Spieth redux could be a possibility this year for Rahm: Contend on your first trip and learn the course and finish the deal the next time around. For Rahm’s sake, we won’t discuss what happened in Spieth’s third trip down Magnolia Lane.

While Rahm may not be the one to buck the 38-year winless streak for Masters rookies, he’s got as good of shot as any in recent history to do it. His odds to win reflect it.

Odds to win: +

Next: Matthew Fitzpatrick: A Man on the Move

Who among the first-timers do you think has the best chance of winning the 2017 Masters? Let’s hear your thoughts – in the comments section.