FAVOURITESPHIL MICKELSON
The rejuvenated Phil Mickelson has fi red a warning shot across the bow of
every top-10 world ranked player leading into this Masters.
His 2018 form has been outstanding and there appears to be plenty of
spring left in the step of the 47-year-old.
In recent years, his pre-Masters form has been a little of but he has still
managed to remain competitive, with top-three fi nishes in 2012 and 2015.
But there is a fi re burning in the Mickelson belly, matched only by his
incredible run of form since early February, that adds him to any conversation
about potential 2018 Masters champions.
After missing the cut at his season-opener, the Career Builder Challenge,
he went to Torrey Pines the following week and fi nished T45. That result saw
him drop to No.49 in the world ranking and looked likely to drop out of the
top-50 for the fi rst time in 24 years.
The Tour then moved on to Phoenix where Mickelson began his run. He
fi nished T5, then backed up to share second place at Pebble Beach. His three
week stretch fi nished at Riviera where he was T6. After a week of , he teed up
in Mexico and won. At the time of going to press, Mickelson was back up to
No.18 in the world ranking, and fourth in the US team rankings for the
Ryder Cup.
WHY HE CAN WIN: Pretty obvious ... years of experience, he already owns
three green jackets and is in the best form of any player on the PGA Tour.RORY MCILROY
When Rory McIlroy has won major championships he’s done it with a level of
consistency from round-to-round that either blows the fi eld away or keeps his
nose just in front.
At Augusta, he is yet to fi nd that level of consistency which will ultimately
win him a green jacket and complete the career grand slam.
For example, his highest and lowest scores at Augusta came in the same
tournament. He opened his account in 2011 with a 65 and ended it with an
horrendous crash that led to an 80 on Sunday afternoon. Interestingly he’s
only shot in the 60s on fi ve occasions since.
McIlroy, as the World No.12, has every right to be featured among the
contenders showcased here but his record at Augusta is pretty poor
in comparison.
He has certainly underachieved at the Masters. But with the chance to join
Jack Nicklaus, Gray Player, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods as a
career grand-slammer with a win at Augusta, McIlroy has the chance to make
history and fi nally bury the demons of that horrible collapse seven years ago.
WHY HE CAN WIN: Rory excels at every attribute required to win at Augusta.
From the tee, he’s powerful with a high ball-fl ight. This brings all the par-5s
into close range. His iron play is phenomenal and around the greens he has
the touch of a master. Perhaps the only question mark that hovers over Rory is
his ability on the slick putting surfaces.MASTERS RECORD
PLAYED: 25
BEST FINISH: Won (2004, 2006, 2010)
TOP-10S: 15
SCORING AVERAGE: 71.19 (94 rounds)
BEST SCORE: 65
WORST SCORE: 79MASTERS RECORD
PLAYED: 9
BEST FINISH: 4th (2015)
TOP-10S: 4
SCORING AVERAGE: 71.90 (34 rounds)
BEST SCORE: 65
WORST SCORE: 8038 APRIL 2018 | golf australia