**2014 Masters Thread**

[NewbieJr 541]

 

That avatar is so disturbing.

 

:reported:

Mmmmmm, I love a nice meaty set of pissflaps

[Cruzer 1,995]

Probably moreso than any other tournament of the year - impossible to do a favorite rankings list until we know what the weather will be. The Rorys, Phils, Scotts, Stensons, etc. of the world will be in there no matter what - not rocket science. Hopefully the course plays fast & hard - brings a lot more into the mix.

[edjr 6,580]

Tiger may not play the Masters?

 

I guess doing steroids at such a young age really can fock you up for life

[NewbieJr 541]

Tiger may not play the Masters?

 

I guess doing steroids at such a young age really can fock you up for life

He's so scared to death of the majors now. He knows the buzz. It's been over five years since he's won one. He'd rather skip than face the scrutiny of choking again.

[edjr 6,580]

He's so scared to death of the majors now. He knows the buzz. It's been over five years since he's won one. He'd rather skip than face the scrutiny of choking again.

 

US open 2008. getting close to 6 years.

[Cruzer 1,995]

I used to be 60/40 that TW would catch and break Jack's record. Now I'm 70/30 he'll never win a major again at all.

[Fumbleweed 543]

Updated 3/30. Replaced Mickelson in the top ten with Stenson. Doubt my rankings will change much between now and a week from Thursday, but like Cruzer said, conditions could shift the dynamic a bit and something that goes on in Houston might catch my eye. Only ten days from the opening tee shot now. Can't wait!

[Cruzer 1,995]

I think Phil will do well to make the cut. His bread and butter iron game is blowing chunks right now. Has been for a while now.

[edjr 6,580]

is it spring yet?

[Cruzer 1,995]

Was sunny, 80 degrees all weekend long. Played 36 Saturday and 27 yesterday.

 

When is the last time somebody shot 4 over in the final round of a PGA tour event - and still won like S. Bowditch did yesterday?

[edjr 6,580]

Was sunny, 80 degrees all weekend long. Played 36 Saturday and 27 yesterday.

 

When is the last time somebody shot 4 over in the final round of a PGA tour event - and still won like S. Bowditch did yesterday?

 

The pga tour is in rough shape right now.

 

Anyone can win, it's very disturbing

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

The pga tour is in rough shape right now.

 

Anyone can win, it's very disturbing

There is a ton of talent on the tour - but there aren't a whole lot of personalities to make the casual fan really give a shiat. Once Phil and TW leave the scene - the tour really may be in trouble.

[Fumbleweed 543]

 

The pga tour is in rough shape right now.

 

Anyone can win, it's very disturbing

 

How do you define "rough shape"? The depth of talent is the best it's ever been. The game has also gone completely global, which is also good. For a rabid fan, things are awesome right now. But, for a casual fan, I guess it's not ideal. Either way, golf's core fans will always turn out for tournaments. It's more TV ratings that are impacted by parity.

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

How do you define "rough shape"? The depth of talent is the best it's ever been.

I believe the depth of talent on tour today is misleading. I believe the skill level isn't any more today than it was 30 years ago. What has happened is that technology has leveled out the playing field - guys once at the bottom are hitting it the same as those at the top. The average tour stop is nothing but a display of bomb driver, flip wedge, and putt. Not many outside of Bubba and a couple others actually manipulate their golf ball. Watching sponsor exemptions and kids go driver, 5 iron to par 5's is not very exciting. It's one of the reasons I enjoy watching the LPGA so much. They actually play golf there - and they aren't exactly terrible to look at anymore.

[Fumbleweed 543]

I believe the depth of talent on tour today is misleading. I believe the skill level isn't any more today than it was 30 years ago. What has happened is that technology has leveled out the playing field - guys once at the bottom are hitting it the same as those at the top. The average tour stop is nothing but a display of bomb driver, flip wedge, and putt. Not many outside of Bubba and a couple others actually manipulate their golf ball. Watching sponsor exemptions and kids go driver, 5 iron to par 5's is not very exciting. It's one of the reasons I enjoy watching the LPGA so much. They actually play golf there - and they aren't exactly terrible to look at anymore.

 

You make some great points. I will say this, though. The "average tour stop" doesn't take into account many of the recently played courses. PGA National, Doral, The Copperhead Course...even PGA Oaks in San Antonio were courses that required some thought and surgical precision.

[edjr 6,580]

I believe the depth of talent on tour today is misleading. I believe the skill level isn't any more today than it was 30 years ago. What has happened is that technology has leveled out the playing field - guys once at the bottom are hitting it the same as those at the top. The average tour stop is nothing but a display of bomb driver, flip wedge, and putt. Not many outside of Bubba and a couple others actually manipulate their golf ball. Watching sponsor exemptions and kids go driver, 5 iron to par 5's is not very exciting. It's one of the reasons I enjoy watching the LPGA so much. They actually play golf there - and they aren't exactly terrible to look at anymore.

 

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

You make some great points. I will say this, though. The "average tour stop" doesn't take into account many of the recently played courses. PGA National, Doral, The Copperhead Course...even PGA Oaks in San Antonio were courses that required some thought and surgical precision.

I would definitely put some courses into this catagory - Harbour Town, TPC Sawgrass, Colonial, Riviera.... Not sure I'd put Dural or some of the others you mention. I guess that's why I enjoy the US Open so much - those courses make guys think and use every club in the bag. Merion was the absolute best example you will ever see. So long dismissed as a venue site by the USGA bcoz of it's lack of length - it brought the best of the best to thier knees last year.

[edjr 6,580]

Why do they keep lengthening courses and wasting even more land on golf?

 

Why don't they do what softball leagues did when people started hitting the ball 200 feet longer than they used to?

 

Change the focking equipment

 

Why do Baseball pros use wood and us schlubs use Aluminum? because they are the best in the world.

 

I'm tired of golf pros being able to use better equipment than me, there is no need.

[dain11279 968]

Tiger out of the Masters, had back surgery

 

http://www.tigerwoods.com/news/2014/04/01/70599322/tiger-unable-to-play-in-the-masters-after-successful-microdiscectomy/

[Mike Honcho 5,250]

Tiger out of the Masters, had back surgery

 

http://www.tigerwoods.com/news/2014/04/01/70599322/tiger-unable-to-play-in-the-masters-after-successful-microdiscectomy/

 

Were they able to correct his gag reflex?

[drobeski 3,061]

Guess tiger was faking it....

[drobeski 3,061]

Mabye federer will fill his spot

[Fumbleweed 543]

I don't think Woods was going to be a factor anyway...he was out of synch anyway and has been really for the past seven months. Then again, his injuries are probably a big part of why he is out of synch.

[edjr 6,580]

I don't think Woods was going to be a factor anyway...he was out of synch anyway and has been really for the past seven months. Then again, his injuries are probably a big part of why he is out of synch.

 

He's ALWAYS a factor. Don't you listen to ESPN and the golf telecasts?

[NewbieJr 541]

Damn. We won't see live coverage of his tee shot on 14 on Saturday when he's only 10 strokes off the pace.

[drobeski 3,061]

What i learned from this thread.

Boy it must suck to be tiger.

Djs stay great forever.

[NewbieJr 541]

What i learned from this thread.

Boy it must suck to be tiger.

Djs stay great forever.

Imagine me being almost as good as Rick Dees in my first few years. Then totally choking and never even getting close to him from that point on. That's Woods.

[Fumbleweed 543]

 

He's ALWAYS a factor. Don't you listen to ESPN and the golf telecasts?

 

Don't listen to ESPN much. They care little for golf and tend to just prop up all things Tiger.

 

That being said, Mike Tirico does an incredible job covering the British Open. That guy always does his homework and is intelligent and insightful in his coverage.

[JT 137]

There is a ton of talent on the tour - but there aren't a whole lot of personalities to make the casual fan really give a shiat. Once Phil and TW leave the scene - the tour really may be in trouble.

 

Speaking as the epitome of the "casual" golf fan, you've hit the nail on the head. The tour needs to start rethinking their marketing strategies. Look at NASCAR as a sport (used for convenience) that realized too late that it's core group was at best remaining static, and that new fans were not joining the party. Attendance and ratings drop, sponsors follow suit, and the chance to reach out to the casual fan is lost forever.

 

I'll follow the Masters as I do most years. If I'm hungover or bored enough, it's pretty to look at. I'll know the top of the leader board. But something spectacular is going to have to be happening for me to make it a point to watch. Without a galvanizing figure, whether protagonist or antagonist, spectacular is hard to come by.

[posty 2,671]

Kind of surprised that he isn't playing... Figured he would play and then withdraw because of his hurt back... That way he could gain more sympathy for his "courage"...

[Fumbleweed 543]

Cruzer- Even though we don't agree on Dustin Johnson, he certainly raised red flags with an awful 80 today in Houston. Keegan Bradley is playing really well, though. Less than a week away now...

[Fumbleweed 543]

All right, here's my final top ten list. Looks like buckets and buckets of rain in Augusta today and tomorrow morning and then sunny and dry for the four-day tournament. That could mean some practice rounds get interrupted, which favors experienced players more. We shall see. Dustin Johnson drops out of my top ten after a ridiculous opening round that led to a withdrawal in Houston. Didn't look good...didn't look focused. Henrik Stenson also drops out, but he would be my #11 pick if the list went that far, so I'm not down on him. Kuchar and Mickelson take their place.

 

Top Ten:

1. Bubba Watson- Totally re-focused in 2014 following a somewhat lackluster 2013. Will tear up the par-fives and can shape shots to fit what is required at Augusta. Definitely the early favorite in my book.

2. Rory McIlroy- Continues to trend up for 2014. Would not shock me one bit to see him win this. Needs to putt better than he has this year so far, though.

 

3. Adam Scott- Being the defending champion has its share of distractions, but it's impossible to overlook Scott's track record in majors since 2011. Should be in the mix on Sunday afternoon.

 

4. Graham DeLaet- Watch out for this guy. Very few players have been more consistent over the past year and he's due to contend for something big. A darkhorse, to be sure, but worth keeping a close watch on just the same.

 

5. Sergio Garcia- Has somewhat quietly played some of the best golf of his career over the past six months or so. Still has the game to win majors, but must overcome some of the mental blocks that tend to derail his chances from time to time.

 

6. Matt Kuchar- His strong play in San Antonio and Houston cannot be ignored, although he should have come out of those two tournaments with at least one win.

7. Victor Dubuissson- VERY good young player. Could be Europe's best outside of McIlroy over the next ten years. I look for him to further make a name for himself at Augusta and sneak into the top ten on the final day of competition.

8. Phil Mickelson- Good showing in Houston means he's ready to contend at Augusta. Don't think he'll be a factor on the back nine on Sunday, but a top ten finish is realistic given the current state of his game.

9. Patrick Reed- Yes, I know this is Reed's first major that he's played in, but this kid plays with a swagger that few his age possess and he doesn't just want to earn paychecks...he wants to win. I think he'll surprise some people in his first Masters.

 

10. Harris English- Along with Speith and Reed, English is the future of American golf. Very good all-around player. Does everything well and has a game that sets up nicely for Augusta National.


Players outside of my top ten who still have a very legitimate shot at winning: Zach Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jason Day*, Jimmy Walker, Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson

Highly ranked players who are off to slow start in 2014, but could catch lightning in a bottle for a week: Lee Westwood, Brandt Snedeker, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuzien, Steve Stricker

 

Young, exciting players with little Masters experience, but tons of game: Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Gary Woodland, Thorbjorn Olesen, Matteo Manassero. Scott Stallings, Branden Grace, Matt Every.

Solid, tested players...wouldn't be a shocker if they won: Hunter Mahan, Ryan Moore, Jamie Donaldson, Francesco Molinari, Angel Cabrera, Ernie Els, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas, Jim Furyk, Nick Watney*, Thomas Bjorn, Miguel Angel Jimenez, John Senden.

Guys who have a punchers chance, but would make for a somewhat shocking winner: Roberto Castro, Brendon De Jonge, D.A. Points, Chris Kirk, Fred Couples, Trevor Immelman, Bernhard Langer, Vijay Singh, Stewart Cink, Martin Kaymer, Kevin Streelman, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Billy Horschel, Marc Leishman, Tim Clark, Sang Moon Bae, Boo Weekley, Ken Duke, Jonas Blixt, Rickie Fowler, David Lynn, Thongchai Jaidee, Peter Hanson, Joost Luiten, Kevin Stadler, Russell Henley, Stephen Gallacher, Steven Bowditch, Matt Jones.

Guys who have no real shot at winning from my perspective: Ben Crenshaw, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Mark O' Meara, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ian Woosnam, Mike Weir, Tom Watson, Craig Stadler, Lucas Glover, Darren Clarke, Y.E. Yang, John Huh, Derek Ernst, all amateurs.

 

Not playing due to injury: Tiger Woods

 

*- injury concerns at present

[Cruzer 1,995]

Last year's hot, trendy pick was Matteo Manassero - I predicted he'd miss the cut, he did. This year the name seems to be Graham Delaet. Like Manassero, DeLaet has game - but 1st time Masters rookies do not win Green Jackets. You have to go back 35 years to Fuzzy Zoeller - don't see it happening here. For that matter J. Spieth won't contend either. I look for both to struggle to make the cut.

As they said on the GC this morning - when Rory putts bad he's still good. When he putts great Rory is damn near unbeatable. If his finds his stroke this week we could see another repeat of what he did to Congressional at the US Open.

Outside of Rory, I'm not in love with any of the other top 10 or so obvious favorites. There are a handful of young guys who could win this thing - but again, forget about any 1st timers. I still Like Z. Johnson, Kooch, and C. Schwartzel, and maybe H. Mahan.

[edjr 6,580]

you mnow have my permission to talk about the Masters

[Fumbleweed 543]

Last year's hot, trendy pick was Matteo Manassero - I predicted he'd miss the cut, he did. This year the name seems to be Graham Delaet. Like Manassero, DeLaet has game - but 1st time Masters rookies do not win Green Jackets. You have to go back 35 years to Fuzzy Zoeller - don't see it happening here. For that matter J. Spieth won't contend either. I look for both to struggle to make the cut.

 

As they said on the GC this morning - when Rory putts bad he's still good. When he putts great Rory is damn near unbeatable. If his finds his stroke this week we could see another repeat of what he did to Congressional at the US Open.

 

Outside of Rory, I'm not in love with any of the other top 10 or so obvious favorites. There are a handful of young guys who could win this thing - but again, forget about any 1st timers. I still Like Z. Johnson, Kooch, and C. Schwartzel, and maybe H. Mahan.

 

Mahan needs to do better than he did last year. That was two pretty pathetic rounds.

[Cruzer 1,995]

 

Mahan needs to do better than he did last year. That was two pretty pathetic rounds.

Clearly - you could also add 20 other names from the list of those who didn't make the cut in 2013. But Mahan does have skins on the wall, he's one of the best ball strikers on tour, and he's finally healthy (and hungry) again. I wouldn't call him a favorite, but I think he certainly could contend.

[listen2me 23 1,846]

Cruzer, on 26 Mar 2014 - 2:59 PM, said:

I used to be 60/40 that TW would catch and break Jack's record. Now I'm 70/30 he'll never win a major again at all.

FOr the last couple years I have changed my tune that he would not get to 18.

 

But 70/30 he will never win one again? He has finished high at the Masters still, while being in a total funk. Unless he quits golf, I can't help but think he will at least run into a win. He can compete at the Masters until he is 50, if he doesn't get injured any worse. GUys like Couples and Watson have had very good showings at majors late in life. Hard time thinking he won't get another at all.

[Cruzer 1,995]

FOr the last couple years I have changed my tune that he would not get to 18.

 

But 70/30 he will never win one again? He has finished high at the Masters still, while being in a total funk. Unless he quits golf, I can't help but think he will at least run into a win. He can compete at the Masters until he is 50, if he doesn't get injured any worse. GUys like Couples and Watson have had very good showings at majors late in life. Hard time thinking he won't get another at all.

Could he? Sure - he has all the skills to do it still. But unlike Couples' syrupy swing, and Watson's rythmic timing - TW's swing is a violent collision of force. He's only 38 and yet his body is about as broken down as a 10-year NFL starting rb. This combined with the fact that his short game is miles and miles away from where it used to be, and the fact he's become too damn mechanical - I just don't see it happening. The British Open would prolly be his best shot - but I'd certainly kiss away our national Open.

[BufordT 431]

This is the most wide open Masters Tournament I remember in quite some time. There's at least 25 players that I would say have a legitimate chance of winning.

 

I'll pick Zach Johnson. He won the Masters in '07 and is primed for another major.

[patweisers44 840]

This is the most wide open Masters Tournament I remember in quite some time. There's at least 25 players that I would say have a legitimate chance of winning.

 

I'll pick Zach Johnson. He won the Masters in '07 and is primed for another major.

i know the forecast now is dry for the tourney, but if the course is wet (long) at all, Zach is gonna struggle. I believe he laid up a million times the year he won and his wedge play was out of this world that week. I am not sure he has that kind of week in him right now.