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The Masters Power Rankings: Top ten picks to don the green jacket

By Mike Randleman

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 02: Way finding signs are pictured during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 02: Way finding signs are pictured during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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Masters Power Rankings
Masters Power Rankings (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

One of the most anticipated Masters in recent memory features no shortage of worthy candidates to slip on the legendary green jacket at Augusta National.

My head is spinning.

Draw one of the 87 names in the 2018 Masters field — OK, you can probably drop out the amateurs and aging past champions like 60-year-olds Ian Woosnam or Sandy Lyle — and there’s an argument to be made for almost anyone to win.

Eight players have 15/1 or better odds to win, but none better than 10/1 as of Tuesday morning. Fifteen players are also within 40/1.

Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods lead at 10/1, but Vegas is more or less throwing up its hands this April.

From a narrative perspective, there’s countless storylines. Ian Poulter wins in Houston last week to qualify. Rory can complete the career Grand Slam. Phil and Tiger are in form. Justin Thomas could climb to world No. 1, ending Dustin Johnson’s year-plus reign at the top.

This might be the year to make a value play (Patton Kizzire at 200/1 is appetizing, for example), but that’s for another day.

I feel like I’ve disrespected so many worthy candidates by leaving them out of this week’s power rankings. Here are a few quick hitters on five guys (this is not sponsored content) who I like outside the top ten:

  • Tommy Fleetwood – In status, a win for Fleetwood would be comparable to what countryman Danny Willett achieved in 2016. Thing is, Fleetwood’s got the game to play from ahead instead of coming from behind like Willett. Fleetwood’s pinpoint ballstriking could serve him well if his game plan’s sharp.
  • Adam Scott – Scott plays one of the lighter schedules on Tour, so he’s easy to forget. The 2013 Masters champ was also T9 here last year.
  • Matt Kuchar – Kuchar made the WGC-Match Play knockout stage and was T9 last week in Houston. The Georgian has four top-10s at Augusta including a T4 in 2017
  • Jon Rahm – Rahm is not the tactician that epitomizes a majority of Masters champions, but he can finish top 10 here even with some mistakes mixed in. He finished T27 in his debut in 2017.
  • Rickie Fowler – Fowler hasn’t been sharp since his win in December at the Hero World Challenge, but he’s still among the best seeking a first major. Fowler’s 6-for-7 in cuts at Augusta and was T5 in 2014.

Without further delay, here are our top ten picks, starting with another of Fleetwood’s countrymen.

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