2017 Masters: Jim Nantz and Sir Nick Faldo Rank Contenders

Who are Jim Nantz and Sir Nick Faldo liking to win the 2017 Masters Tournament?

I was among the sports writers CBS Sports invited to participate in a conference call on March 30, 2017 about the 2017 Masters Week telecast on CBS.

Participating were CBS golf anchor Jim Nantz, now in his 31^st season at the Masters, and Sir Nick Faldo, now embarking on his 10^th year as lead analyst for CBS golf.

Several topics were discussed, but the uppermost on everyone’s mind right now is who will win the tournament next week. Faldo favored two European players.

"It’s always nice to look down the list a little bit. You have Jon Rahm, showing great strength. Tommy Fleetwood is playing great in Europe. His game suits Augusta. – Sir Nick Faldo"

While Rahm might not be a surprise, Fleetwood is a name that does not surface often on the PGA Tour despite the fact that he’s currently leading the Race to Dubai standings. He could be this year’s Danny Willett.

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"I always look at the next level down because the big boys take all the media attention. Hideki Matsuyama, those sort of names, the next list down. It’s always because they have a free run, less media attention. The Masters is all about taking the focus off yourself so you can play freely. – Sir Nick Faldo"

With three green jackets to his credit, Sir Nick should know.

Nantz agreed with Faldo about Matsuyama, but he thinks that Dustin Johnson has to be everyone’s top pick.

"I was hoping Nick wouldn’t take his name away from me. I just have a very strong feeling that Hideki Matsuyama is going to be in the mix. He had this phenomenal stretch of play from October through Superbowl Sunday when he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open. – Jim Nantz"

Nantz said he has a theory that players who start out the year strong and then tail off will return to form just in time for the Masters.

"I think Hideki has the resume. I think he’ll be a force. – Jim Nantz"

But, certainly, Nantz knows who’s at the top of pecking order right now.

"Dustin Johnson is certainly going to be grabbing all the attention and headlines going in with the streak of three consecutive victories. – Jim Nantz"

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Nantz plans to mention Johnson during the Final Four game on Saturday when South Carolina takes on Gonzaga. Johnson’s grandfather, Art Whisnant, who was drafted by the Lakers in 1962, was a three-time all-conference South Carolina basketball player when the Gamecocks were a member of the ACC. That’s where DJ gets his long and tall body that swings the golf club with such incredible power.

But DJ isn’t the only likely contender on Nantz’s short list. He was reeling off names during the call.

"Phil ( Mickelson) seems to be peaking at the right time. We’ve got Rory out there going for the career grand slam so we’re not going to be short on any story lines here. I haven’t even mentioned Jordan Spieth, who won at Pebble Beach this year. You already know his three results there are second, first, second, and wouldn’t it be something if he came back after what happened on the back nine on Sunday last year? – Jim Nantz"

Nantz said there were many story lines that could come into focus between Thursday and Sunday.

In addition to telecast duties, Nantz was involved in the Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta: Arnold Palmer, The Masters And The Final Interview. It airs Sunday, April 9, from 1:00-2:00 PM, ET.

Next: 2017 Masters: Ranking First-Time Contenders

CBS will also do a special tribute to Palmer during the telecast on Saturday. It is believed to be the last on-camera interview Palmer gave.

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2017 Masters: Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo Rank Contenders

By Kathlene Bissell | Mar 31, 2017

Who are Jim Nantz and Sir Nick Faldo liking to win the 2017 Masters Tournament?

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