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The 2020 Virtual Masters: The Potential Longshots Who could Surprise

By Bill Felber

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: (L-R) Danny Willett of England congratulates Sergio Garcia of Spain during the Green Jacket ceremony after Garcia won in a playoff during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: (L-R) Danny Willett of England congratulates Sergio Garcia of Spain during the Green Jacket ceremony after Garcia won in a playoff during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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2014 champion Bubba Watson at the moment of victory. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Golfweek)
2014 champion Bubba Watson at the moment of victory. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Golfweek) /

Virtual Masters projections 39-45

Bubba Watson, 2012, 2014, (2010-2019), -0.03. Watson has the weakest Masters resume of any multiple champion. His 2012 and 2014 victories are accompanied by only one other top 10 finish, and offset by six finishes outside the top 25.

Mike Weir, 2003 (2000-2009), 0.08. When Weir beat Len Mattiace in a playoff, it marked only the second time he had ever contended in a major. As defending champion in 2004, he missed the cut and only one other time during his peak finished among the top 10.

Fuzzy Zoeller, 1979 (1979-1988), 0.16. Zoeller’s playoff victory came in his Masters debut, and made him the first rookie champion since Gene Sarazen in 1935. His best subsequent finish was a tie for 10th in 1982.

Sergio Garcia, 2017 (2009-2018), 0.16. His 2017 victory in a playoff over Justin Rose came in Garcia’s 18th Masters appearance as a professional. By then his Masters play had lapsed into the realm of the undistinguished, including only one top 10 performance since 2004.

Gay Brewer, 1967 (1964-1973), 0.52. Hard-core fans recall how close the 1967 champion came to being a two-time winner. In 1966 he lost a playoff to Jack Nicklaus. But that was it for Brewer, who between 1964 and 1973 missed three cuts and aside from those back-to-back star turns only once finished inside the top 20.

Zach Johnson, 2007 (2006-2015), 0.57. Johnson was an unknown on Tour when he overcame a two-shot third round deficit to beat Retief Goosen, Tiger Woods and Rory Sabbatini. It remains his only Masters contention, his peak seasons encompassing three missed cuts and just two other finishes inside the top 30.

Sandy Lyle, 1988 (1985-1994), 0.58. Lyle beat Mark Calcavecchia by one stroke in 1988. It turned out to be his only run at Masters glory; between 1985 and 1994 he never again finished inside the top 10, and had two missed cuts.

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