It could be Rory’s year but don’t bank on Bryson, says Harmon

FOR the first time in two years, Butch Harmon is back at Augusta.

Covid-19 forced Harmon to provide his beloved commentary for the last two tournaments from his home in Nevada. Not being there, where his father won the Green Jacket in 1948, hurt him.

When the 86th Masters tees up this week, Harmon will be back where he belongs. Here are his thoughts on what to expect.

BUTCH ON... TIGER WOODS

WHAT the hell is taller than Everest, because that is what he’s climbing!

If he plays and plays respectably, makes the cut maybe, gets in the hunt a little, it’s even bigger than when he came back and won in 2019. It’s amazing he’s still alive, let alone playing.

BUTCH ON... RORY McILROY

WE all want to see Rory win because we would like to see him complete the lifetime Grand Slam. He’s swinging the club better and he’s starting to putt better. If he can slip on that green jacket he could run off with a whole bunch of majors.

BUTCH ON... DECHAMBEAU

HE has proved it’s not possible to overpower Augusta. He can hardly play it, the way he plays. He is in a little bit of a limbo area right now. I don’t think he knows whether he wants to be a Tour player or a long drive champion. I don’t think his game is trending in the right direction at all.

BUTCH ON... MICKELSON

HE’S a big miss for any tournament. He’s one of the most popular players in all of golf. Tiger and Phil in modern times are our two best and most popular players. He has won this tournament three times and he loves the Masters, so it is a big miss.

BUTCH ON... AUGUSTA

THE Masters is such a special place for me. My dad won in 1948, I’ve been going there my whole life. I would go to every major with my dad. You just walked down the fairway with the players. My father and Ben Hogan were best friends so they played every practice round together and it became a ritual. BUTCH ON... WHO WILL WIN

IT’S wide open. Scottie Scheffler is No1 in the world. He has only won three times. None of the superstars have won any tournament.

Just look at the guys not at the Masters this year: Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson. There is a changing of the guard. There is a lot of great young players and that is why it’s hard to pick a winner for this year’s Masters.

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