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2022 Masters Tournament: Top 10 power rankings at Augusta National

By Mike Randleman

Apr 9, 2021; Augusta, Georgia, USA; The Masters flag in front of the leaderboard on the 17th green during the second round of The Masters golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2021; Augusta, Georgia, USA; The Masters flag in front of the leaderboard on the 17th green during the second round of The Masters golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /
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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 04: Billy Horschel of the United States and Seamus Power of Ireland walk to the 12th green during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 04, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 04: Billy Horschel of the United States and Seamus Power of Ireland walk to the 12th green during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 04, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) /

The first men’s major championship of 2022 has arrived.

The 86th edition of the Masters Tournament is held at historic Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

The meaningfulness of a Masters invite

It’s the most exclusive and smallest field out of the four majors, making it a meaningful accomplishment to get an invitation to compete on some of the sport’s most hallowed grounds.

There are 90 players teeing it up this week looking to make the cut of top 50 and ties after 36 holes.

When you eliminate the past champions and amateurs, the crop of who can win begins to dwindle. Not to mention, no first-timer has won since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. That drought is due to end at some point given the youth movement in golf, but experience is still crucial here.

Perhaps more crucial than at any other venue on the schedule.

Speaking of venue, here are some quick bases on ANGC: The ultra-private club was established in 1933 and began hosting the Masters a year later.

The Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie design has gone through countless changes over the years while still maintaining the heart soul of the golden age of architecture’s crown jewel.

It plays to a par 72 and in modern day stretches to 7,510 yards.

The latest changes for this year include lengthening of the par-4 11th from 505 to 520 yards and the par-5 15th stretching from 530-to 550 yards. More than a dozen trees were removed and some pine straw was removed.

Look for this year’s ANGC to have more tightly mown areas, which will send wayward shots bounding further away.

Driving accuracy is not a key statistic this week, which boils it down to being precise with irons to find the right portions of the wildly fast and undulating greens. From there, some artistry from the trees and navigating the humps and bumps with a good short game and putting stroke is what’s important.

Familiarity with Bermuda greens helps (think Southeastern U.S. venues), but these greens are like none other.

The weather forecast shows chances of storms during practice rounds and into Thursday. Temperatures are mild with temperatures in the 40s-60s Fahrenheit and manageable winds.

The top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings are all playing fairly well because, duh, they’re in the top 10. But none of the players who began the year ranked there have won in 2022.

Will one of them rise to the challenge? Or will someone further down the totem pole rise up?

It’s cliche to say, but it feels like a lot of players could win this week. The one who seems unlikely to, Tiger Woods, will ironically be the biggest storyline. Doubly so if he does in fact tee it up come Thursday.

I’ve got my eye on guys who seem to have a better chance in my book than the rest.

Here’s my top 10 for the 2022 Masters:

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