2021 Masters week: They’re coming in hot
By Bill Felber
2. Jordan Spieth, 14.20
Spieth’s victory this past weekend at the Valero Texas Open merely confirmed what was becoming obvious all this past month. The 2015 Masters champion and three-time Major winner is ready to contend once again.
Spieth actually made that clear with a tie for fourth at the Palmer and for third at the ATT. His five most recent starts also include a tie for 15th at the Genesis and the one less than noteworthy effort, a tie for 48th at the Players.
He also tied for fourth at the Waste Management in early February.
The only player among these hottest nine who ranks outside the world top 50 – he’s 53rd –Spieth has a 69.6 stroke average for his most recent 20 rounds, a bit better than two under par.
1. Jon Rahm, 13.20
Since Mrs. Rahm delivered – the couple’s first son — this past weekend, Mr. Rahm is now free to deliver what he does best at Augusta. He won’t need to make good on his threat to head for home if she went into labor during the tournament.
That’s good for the family, because nobody on Tour comes to Augusta hotter than Rahm.
Rahm has three top 10s and four top 15s among his five most recent starts. He tied for ninth at the Players, for fifth at the Genesis and for seventh at the Farmers and for 13th at the Waste Management. At the WGC Workday, he tied for 32nd.
The world’s third ranked player, Rahm has averaged 69.6 strokes – that’s two strokes under par – for his most recent 20 rounds. Among the leading contenders, he also made the best run at the Match Play title, reaching the quarter-finals before being taken out by Scottie Scheffler.