2010 Masters Staff Predictions

On a typical year, golf fans start counting down to the Masters months in advance. This year, the addition of Tiger Woods’ return turns it into one of the most anticipated golf tournaments in the sport’s history.

We’ve polled The Sand Trap staff to offer you their insights into all things Tiger, Augusta and ask who will be wearing the green jacket Sunday afternoon.

Winner and Score

Erik J. Barzeski
Tiger Woods, -10 (278). Tiger’s scary good when he’s focused and I simply don’t buy into the “rust” argument – who on earth better understand what it takes to win a modern major championship than Tiger Woods? The smaller field, the dastardly putting greens, and the simple fact that the golf course should serve as an “escape” for Tiger Woods (at least at Augusta National) all play into Tiger’s favor.

Ron Varrial
Phil Mickelson, -8 (280). Something’s been off with Lefty in 2010, but this week he returns to a place he’s comfortable. His record at Augusta is spectacular and as he said in his press conference, this isn’t a course where he needs to be perfect and taking some of that mental burden off just may be enough to free him up to make a run.

George Promenschenkel
Steve Stricker, -6 (282). I’ve put down three names in this slot so far, but I keep coming back to Stricker. He’s been playing well all year. He’s a good putter and has a solid all around game. Surely he’s going to break through at a major one of these days soon.

The other names I was tossing around? I think, like Stricker, Lee Westwood is also due to win a major before long, but maybe not the Masters. Ernie Els has been playing well all year, but has also shown a vulnerability to choking. A Big Easy win in the Masters would be right there as the best possible feel-good story that could possibly emerge this year (what with his famously championing the cause of autism after his son was diagnosed and his long fight back from knee surgery).

Justin Pucheu
Tiger Woods at -10 (278). He’s one of those athletes you just can’t bet against. Great ones before him have always risen to the occasion in extremely difficult personal situations. Yeah, golf isn’t played on raw emotion, but if there’s one player capable of winning in the given situation, it’s him. I think he also knows, it will further take the attention off all of the garbage from the last five months.

Dave Koster
Padraig Harrington -7 (281). I just get the feeling about him. I think he’ll win all four majors before his career is up.

Alan Olson
The weather plays the biggest factor. Good weather = lower scores, bad weather = who knows. Sean O’Hair, -10 (278). There is a great deal of focus on the under 30 crowd to find someone to challenge Tiger. O’Hair gets the least publicity but might have the best shot at being that guy for right now.

Danny Ottmann
Fred Couples, -10 (278). We have had several “seniors” make wave in majors lately. Freddy is killing them on the Champions Tour and will come in and make headlines as the oldest Masters Champion.

If Anyone Steals Tiger’s Headlines, it Will Be …

Erik J. Barzeski
The only people capable of doing this are Padraig, Phil, and Ernie. Phil’s been playing like his mind – and game – are elsewhere, and perhaps with good reason. I don’t recall seeing Padraig’s name on the Masters leaderboards with any real frequency. And Ernie, well, hasn’t he missed the last three cuts at Augusta? Admittedly his game has shown remarkable improvement this year, but three MCs to a win? And with Quinn on the bag instead of Ricci Roberts? I don’t know. And, frankly, even if they win the story will still be Tiger’s return.

Ron Varrial
Only way it happens is if Tiger misses the cut and a guy like Fred Couples can put together a magical run. If Tiger tees it up all four rounds, it’s not going to matter much if he finishes first, fifth, or 45th, all focus will be on him, even if a Zach Johnson-type emerges as the winner.

George Promenschenkel
Can’t be done. The Masters always attracts more than its fair share of non-golf-watchers, but this year it will exceed the usual azalea fans due to non-other than Tiger Woods and his almost inhuman ability to control a golf ball (and his far too human inability to control his desires). It will simply be the story of the Masters. Maybe something truly magical – think Sunday charge from Tom Watson – might eclipse the Tiger effect, but what’s the chance of lightning striking twice?

Justin Pucheu
No one, there’s just too much surrounding his return. Will undoubtedly see the highest ratings ever because of Tiger’s return. Even if he blows up (which is unlikely), they’ll still be showing his every shot and paying a lot of attention to his attitude.

Dave Koster
Ernie Els giving it away on the back nine on Sunday. He’ll be in contention all week just to let Harrington steal the Masters.

Alan Olson
No one. The world wants to see Tiger play. Having said that, if Tiger misses the cut then it could be Phil, Ernie or Rory, Anthony Kim but in the end, it’s Tiger, 24/7 this week.

Danny Ottmann
Frankly, there isn’t any chance someone will steal Tiger’s headlines. A golfer could spontaneously combust on the 18th green and the story would come after Tiger’s.

More Exciting This Week: Tiger’s Press Conference or Tiger’s Play?

Note: we answered this question before Tiger’s press conference.

Erik J. Barzeski
His press conference should be a snoozer – a bunch of “I already answered that”s, “that’s a private matter between me and Elin”s, and “I’m working to become a better man, but that will take time and right now I’m focused on golf”s. Tiger could par every hole and his play will still be orders of magnitude more exciting than his press conference.

Ron Varrial
Definitely Tiger’s play. Will it matter if he’s making eagles or bogeys? Nope, so long as he’s out there playing, it will be exciting that his Monday presser. It will be interesting, however, to see if he’s able to get through one week as the “kinder, gentler Tiger Woods” or if we see clubs and swears flying.

George Promenschenkel
When has a Tiger press conference ever been exciting? Tiger’s play will be far more interesting. He once putted off a green at the Masters, and that was after playing his usual schedule. Who knows what we?ll be in for this year. Good or bad (more likely good and bad), it will be exciting to see Tiger on the course again.

Justin Pucheu
Tiger’s play. There will be moments from Tiger in this tournament that we will see replayed for years. Look for a number of memorable shots along with a good shootout on Saturday. Sunday, he runs away with it.

Dave Koster
Tiger’s play. I think he will play well, make the cut and nearly win. I had a thought to pick him but just couldn’t pull the trigger. Color me surprised if he plays poorly. He’s Tiger. He may start slowly, as he usually does at Augusta, but he’ll finish strong. I just think it will be a little too late.

Alan Olson
His press conferences are typically boring. I don’t suspect this is going to change much from the past. His play will be much more exciting as we haven’t seen him play in quite sometime. Will he dazzle us? Will he be rusty? Is he beatable?

Danny Ottmann
Tiger’s press conferences are closely guarded affairs and rather boring if you ask me. His play will be more exciting, even if he misses the cut.

By Sunday, is Tiger Glad he Played or Questioning his Decision?

Erik Barzeski
He’ll be glad he’s played. You know, he’s never finished outside of the top 25 at Augusta National. That trend isn’t going to change this year.

Ron Varrial
I’m sure after his first practice round in front of fans, he’s glad he picked Augusta. They have the place so locked down, and the spectators understand how to behave. Regardless of how he plays, this was the perfect spot for him to return.

George Promenschenkel
He’ll be glad just to be back out there. We’re probably glad he played as well, though I don’t think he’ll be all that close on the back nine on Sunday.

Justin Pucheu
With the way he’s been smiling, and seemingly having a good time, I don’t think he’ll question his decision, regardless of his play. No doubt that his goal is to win, but judging from the reported fan reception he’s gotten thus far, I think he’ll be glad he came back because he gets reassurance that he does in fact have a lot of fans out there that dont care what happened away from the course.

Dave Koster
Glad. He’s happy just to be out there and start some semblance of normalcy to his chaotic life.

Alan Olson
He has to get back on the horse at some point and Augusta is the perfect venue for him to do so. How much we see him after the Masters remains to be seen but he’ll look back at playing at the Masters as a good decision.

Danny Ottmann
Tiger loves to play golf, and this whole affair has thrown a huge monkey wrench into his playing schedule. He will be happy he played, no doubt about it, regardless of the
outcome or how well he does.

Who Has the Better Week: Americans, Europeans, Others?

Erik J. Barzeski
What Americans? They’ve continued their downward slide into oblivion. Phil and Tiger are the only Americans worth talking about, with a dash of “unknown but long favored to start actually mattering” thrown in for good measure (choose among Sean O’Hair, Anthony Kim, Duston Johnson, Hunter Mahan, etc.). The Europeans will far outshine the Americans as a whole.

Ron Varrial
It shapes up as a European week, led by guys such as Poulter, McIlroy, Harrington. And don’t forget about my new favorite mysterious Spaniard, Alvaro Quiros.

George Promenschenkel
The Americans are playing pretty well so far this year, and they are likely to end up with the most finishers in the top 20, with the Euros a close second. But watch out for the South Africans. Els and Goosen (and maybe even Immelman) could combine for a solid pack at the top of the leaderboard.

Justin Pucheu
Based on the results of this year, Americans will have the overall better weekend. Out of 15 tournaments so far this year, Americans have won 10, though Europeans have taken up a large portion of the higher spots on the leaderboards every week thus far.

Dave Koster
Europeans. I think they are playing really, really well right now and I think you’ll see more Europeans in the top 10 than Americans.

Alan Olson
Americans. Woods, Stricker, Phil, Kim, and Furyk should all be at the top of leaderboard come the weekend.

Danny Ottmann
Europeans seem to always do well in Augusta. I will still go with the Americans though. Heck I picked a 50 year old American to win the whole thing!

Best Heckle Tiger Hears All Week?

Erik J. Barzeski
“Get in the ho…”? I don’t think Tiger hears much, and if he does, the person who says it won’t get a chance to be a repeat offender.

Ron Varrial
“Nicely played, Mr. Woods!” There’s a reason he’s playing at Augusta.

George Promenschenkel
Patrons do not heckle at Augusta, sir. But if they did it’s almost a sure thing that you won’t hear it if you’re not there. If I were to guess, I’d say it’ll involve a nine iron and an angry Swedish woman … That or anything having to do with Perkins.

Justin Pucheu
Get in Joslyn’s hole???

Dave Koster
“Did that tuning fork go off?” (for Tin Cup lovers)

Alan Olson
None. The Masters is pretty tame when it comes to heckling. Even with the circus coming to town, I don’t see the tournament officials allowing much to go on. Patrons will be on short leash with hecklers being tossed. Amount of women following Tiger this week will be up a bit though. 🙂

Danny Ottmann
No heckling! Augusta passes are impossible to come by and heckling Tiger could possibly get you tossed out of the affair on your ear. Plus as I linked to a few weeks back, Stevie has vowed to make sure no one heckles Tiger. Don’t make Stevie kick your ass!