Masters field likely the deepest in years
Speith expects big test defending his title
LONDON — Perhaps Tiger Woods’ decision to sit out this Masters was easy to make. Perhaps he simply placed his doctor’s notes alongside the Augusta starting sheet and came to his senses, for if he were to don a fifth Green Jacket, Woods would have needed not only to be 100-per-cent fit, but also operating at the peak of his powers.
As Jordan Spieth commented: “I think this year’s Masters will be the hardest one to win in quite a while as far as the depth of the field and the quality of golf being played by people who play Augusta National very well.”
The defending champion went on to list Bubba Watson, Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen as likely candidates for contention, and might also have added the pair who ran him closest last year, Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson. But in Spieth’s analysis, two names stood out, and they happened to be the other members of the new Big Three.
Jason Day, Spieth and Rory McIlroy have lifted five of the past six major titles and are first, second and third the world rankings. They are all under 30, have their finest days ahead of them and are from different continents. When they win, they win well and remind you of a certain redshirted Sunday wonder. They will be built up by the media and fans and inevitably will command the lion’s share of the focus in what could be a classic Masters.
Of course, golf and, in particular, Augusta National, follow scripts like John Daly followed Mary Whitehouse, and the chances of this trio all playing well enough to be competing against each other down the game’s most exhilarating stretch are, alas, remote.
Yet it is hard not to envisage one of them being in contention on the back nine of the final round. And whoever that is will probably prevail; just as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player used to do.
If McIlroy achieves his standard, the rest can do what they want — he will join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Nicklaus, Player and Woods as the only male golfers to achieve the career Grand Slam. McIlroy’s best is the best in the sport. When he is freewheeling, he is unstoppable and if and when he gets into the groove, Augusta will be heaven-made.