USA TODAY International Edition
Rahm, Rory popular 1st- time winner picks
The Masters lights up the golf world every April, its spiritual setting warming hearts around the globe.
Among the awakening are the players who take to the architectural gem framed by an explosion of colors.
To the man, they love to talk about the unparalleled tournament between the Georgia Pines at Augusta National Golf Club.
The gathering every spring is matchless, from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt competition through the ceremony at Butler Cabin.
Ahead of the 86th Masters, Golfweek conducted its annual survey, this year getting takes on many things Masters from 25 players, nine of whom have won a green jacket, 12 major champions in all.
Among those who have not won the Masters, who is most likely to win a green jacket?
“Probably Rory. He’s playing really well, and the course fits his eye and he’s one of the best players in the world.” - Abraham Ancer
“Bryson DeChambeau has the game the way he hits it. If he gets his driver in play, on some of those holes, it’s a distinct advantage.” - Ryan Palmer
“Let’s go Brooks Koepka. His game fits the course well, he’s long off the tee, able to kind of work it both ways, and has won majors.” - Matt Kuchar
“Rory McIlroy. He’ll figure it out eventually.” - Matt Fitzpatrick
“There are quite a few candidates. But I believe that today, not because he’s Spanish, but I believe that Jon Rahm has the game to achieve it. The reason why is, one, his short game is very good. Chipping and putting are something that you really need at Augusta. And with his combination of strength, consistency and the short game required to be able to win the Masters, he can do it. But he’s one of them; five, six players can win their first one.” - Two- time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal
“Jon Rahm. Pretty self- explanatory. Great short game, great iron player, great driver. Great player. And Cameron Smith is going to win it one day.” - Marc Leishman
“Probably the top of the list right now who’s playing some decent golf is Rory McIlroy. Collin Morikawa probably will.”
- Jason Day
“You have to go deep into stats and see how people perform on sloping courses and undulating greens. I’d like to throw my name into that hat. It’s a second- shot golf course. You add Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa.” - Xander Schauffele
“There’s a lot of people that you can call out. Gosh, I mean, as a sports fan, I want McIlroy to win one, right? There are just things that you want to happen not only as a sports fan, but now as a friend, as well. I’d love to be there when he wins.” - Two- time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“I would say the course to an extent seems tailor made for Bryson DeChambeau, as far as where he can carry it, his ball flight, right to left, so the course should be the easiest tee to green for him than anyone else, so that’s why I would say that.” - 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
“It’s hard to bet against Jon Rahm or Patrick Cantlay. Both so consistent, both great putters, great ball strikers. One of those two guys I think will be right in the mix.” - 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir
“Rory. I can’t believe we’re standing here right now and the only major championship he hasn’t won is the Masters. No doubt that the pressure continues to build for him, but he’s going to do one year. His game is tailor made for Augusta.” - Graeme McDowell
“It’s tough to not pick Collin Morikawa. Or Jon Rahm. I know that’s a copout answer since they’re No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, but both of those guys could win, and it wouldn’t shock me.” - Will Zalatoris
“Cam Smith. He’s got an unbelievable short game. And he putts it really well. He’s a really good iron player as well. Really good distance control. We think of guys that have won the Masters and they’ve been guys who are really good iron players, or at least have good control of their distances and guys that have imagination in short game, and they putt well. He checks the boxes off.” - Billy Horschel
“That’s brutal. There are a lot of guys. I say Xander Schauffele. He can work it both ways. Drives it great. Just always in the mix of majors.” - Kevin Kisner
“I mean, I’d love to, but I think Rory McIlroy is on the cusp of winning and that’s the only major he hasn’t won. Winning the Masters has to be one of his top goals and he’s got to be gunning for it. And honestly, his game sets up perfect for that course. So I think it’s just a matter of time. I don’t know if he’s putting too much pressure on himself to win that one, but it’s gonna happen.”
What is your first vivid memory of the Masters?
“I have many memories, but the one that stands out is Tiger chipping in on No. 16. That crazy chip- in.” - Abraham Ancer
“Watching Tiger. I remember he was on the right side of 7 once and he played a massive high slice and it spun back to like tap- in range.” - Matt Fitzpatrick
“I was always allowed to stay up late even though it was a school night in England. And I think it was on the BBC back in the day. And they had this theme music that I remember. And watching Nick Faldo back in the day.” - Justin Rose
“I’ve watched the Masters forever, but my best memory is when I first went to the Masters in 2009. I was able to go to the practice rounds and watched the pros go at it. It was pretty sweet.” - 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed
“It wasn’t my first memory, but I was an amateur playing alongside Tiger Woods in 1998. When I got introduced I was so nervous I barely got the ball to stay on the tee. My hands were shaking so much. I’ll never forget that.” - Matt Kuchar
“Thinking back it would be Tiger’s chip- in against Chris DiMarco in ’ 05. I’m sure I watched plenty of Masters before that, but that’s the memory that sticks out.” - 2015 champ Jordan Spieth
“It obviously wasn’t my first memory but finishing second the first year I played was special. That was probably the biggest one for me. I’ll never forget that week.” - Jason Day
“My dad took me in ’ 05 and the first shot I ever saw was Tiger putting on seven. It was a 30- footer with about 8- feet of break, and he made it and I’m like, ‘ OK, I know this guy’s good, but he’s not God.’ ” - Will Zalatoris
“Tiger winning in ‘ 97. I do remember the ’ 96 Masters and watching that and because I was a big Greg Norman fan, the whole unfortunate collapse and everything sucked. But Tiger winning, and how he won, stands out.” - Billy Horschel
“Greg Norman losing in 1996 because I was a Greg Norman fan. ... ‘ Oh, boy, even the best can lose big leads in a hurry.’ ”