×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

US Masters 2011

By: Adam Smith | Tue 29 Mar 2011


The US Masters, one of, it not the most prestigious tournaments on the golfing calendar.

It’s been said by many that the feeling of putting on the green jacket is one that can’t be described and if and only if you have done it you would realise why.

It is also why if you have won around the acclaimed Augusta National you are up there in history with some of the greats.

However for the punters it is difficult to pick a winner as it is in most tournaments across the world but this is the US Masters, the first major of the year so something has got to give; Form, stats, experience or just plain old luck. What formula will you go down?

In my 2011 preview I followed my heart and backed Lee Westwood. On this occasion my head will have to overrule. The world number two is not in the greatest form and although he says his preparation is right on track I have to rule him out of winning his first major mainly down to the fact I don’t feel he has it in him to win any major let alone the Masters, sorry Lee.

So where are we going next then? Experience is key around Augusta. Since 1990 when Nick Faldo won his second green jacket, ten of the next 21 winners had won their before. Also rule out players that are making their debut as 1979 was the last time a first time player won when Fuzzy Zoeller claimed is first major.

Just because they aren’t on the best of form at the minute the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh have tremendous records in this event and are proven winners. For example Mickelson has finished outside the top-20 only once in the last 12 years!

So what about form then? Before 2007 when Zach Johnson triumphed on one over (incidentally the first over par winner since Sam Snead in 1954), more than 80 of US Masters winners had won or finished 2nd at least once already that year.

In that time, just Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999, Ben Crenshaw in 1995 and Nick Faldo in 1990 had failed to finish first or second on either the US PGA or European tour in the year they won the tournament.

Interestingly all three golfers had already won the Masters in a previous year however -- in 1994, 1984 and 1989 respectively.

So you need experience and form but what else?

Big hitting and a Midas touch around the green and you shouldn’t be too far away from the top of the leader board.

Over the past few years near to 500 yards have been added to the course and as well as rock hard undulating greens you really need an all round game to succeed.

So big hitters, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Nick Watney all rank up there as well as World number one Martin Kaymer who can also send the ball a mile.

But what about the touches around the green? Luke Donald proved at the WGC Match play that you don’t always need to hit the ball far to be a winner. The likes of Paul Casey, Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar are up there with the top ranked putters and scramblers this season.

So who is my tip then? I’m sorry to say and I don’t like saying it but it won’t be a European winner this year. The winning golfer is likely to have good previous Masters form, have won a tournament already this year, and rank highly in the driving distance and GIR stats for his respective tour.

Which is why I’m going for a name I’ve already mentioned and that is Nick Watney.

Having already won this year at the WGC Cadillac Championship at the mammoth TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Watney has proved he can hit it far and also deal with the pressure needed to close out a big tournament.

Up to 14th in the world rankings and had five top-ten finishes in the six events he’s played in this season, Watney can be claimed for odd’s of around 14/1.

Take into account he’s in the top five in scrambling, scoring average and putting on the PGA Tour this season and he’s powerful too. Add that to the three top-20 finishes on his last three visits to Augusta then you have my bet for another first time winner of the green jacket.

What do you think? Let's hear your comments


Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.


What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/




Scroll to top