2021 Masters week: They’re coming in hot

Apr 3, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Jordan Spieth tees off on hole 2 during the third round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Jordan Spieth tees off on hole 2 during the third round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Thomas. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Thomas. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Justin Thomas, 20.40

Thomas is the world’s No. 2 ranked player, so his presence among the list of hottest players is hardly a surprise. He’s also coming off a victory at the Players, a pseudo-major.

Prior to that, Thomas had tied for 15th at the WGC Workday, for 13th at the Waste Management and for third at the Tournament of Champions.

He would rank higher on this list but for a missed cut at the Genesis in February.

His average score is a fraction over 69 strokes per 18 holes; that’s close to three under par per round. That includes three rounds of 65 or better in his last 18.

5. Collin Morikawa, 19.80

The question Morikawa fans must answer is which Collin will show up this week. The good Collin beat the field at the WGC Workday, and tied for second back to back during January’s TOC and Sony.

The bad Collin tied for 41st and 43rd at the Players and the Genesis, and looked entirely ordinary at the Dell Match Play.

The average of all that back and forth has to be taken seriously. Morikawa, the world’s fourth ranked player, has averaged 68.75 in his most recent five stroke play tournaments; that’s nearly three strokes under par. Four of those 20 rounds have been over par…but Morikawa brought five of those 20 rounds home in 65 or better.