New world number-one Dustin Johnson enjoys a decent record without ever truly contending at the Masters, tied fourth last year, tied sixth the year before, somehow one just senses his booming long game and lack of subtlety and doesn't square with the nuanced demands Augusta National poses, whilst Spieth, the pre-tournament favourite has to deal with the demons from last year when he capitulated on the final day.
There is still a sneaking suspicion, despite a lack of clear evidence, that there remains a ‘Major’ in Phil Mickelson’s locker, and that the Masters may well be that golden opportunity; ‘Lefty’ has been building in form and confidence leading up to Augusta, with a top-10 finish at the WGC event in Mexico, and only a fool would fail to recognise the inspired shot-making and putting that has brought him three Green Jackets, an Open Championship and two USPGA titles.
Somehow, a Mickelson win at Augusta this month, which would make him the oldest man ever to wear the Green Jacket, might not send the shock waves through the game that Jack Nicklaus did when he won his sixth and final Masters crown at the age of 46; perhaps Mickelson’s Masters credentials are confirmation of America’s profligacy of home grown, world class talent.
Rickie Fowler, fresh from his win at the prestigious Honda Classic is fast-approaching 30 but has yet to record a ‘Major’ win, perhaps a contender for the most unwanted moniker in golf, ‘the best player never to win a ‘Major.’
Just ask Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Sergio García.
Scanning the upper echelons of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the possible identity of the man who will be entitled to wear the iconic Green Jacket for the rest of his life, other than the usual suspects above, it’s tempting to go left field, but, before doing so, there is one man who looks to not only have the credentials, but also the talent and the temperament to make Sunday 9th April 2017 a red letter day.
Pages
Click here to see the published article.
