2015 Masters Preview and Picks

The dogwoods are in bloom and Tiger’s jet has been spotted in Augusta’s private airport, it must be time for the Masters. Tiger is playing so the “will he or won’t he” discussion is over and we now anxiously wait for him to miss a green to see if he flubs, shanks, or skulls his chip. Tiger always brings a buzz to the game and this year is no different. Traditionally The Sand Trap staff loves to pick Tiger but something tells me this Masters is going to be different.

Even with the all the buzz around Tiger there are a number of other story lines to talk about in the 2015 Masters. Is Rory going to complete the career grand slam and get the third leg of a grand slam? What about the defending champion Bubba Watson? Which rookies will you be looking out for this year? With that let’s dive into the questions.

1. Who are you picking to win, and at what score? Why?

George Promenschenkel
I like Jason Day at about 10-under, 278. I’ll be stunned if Day doesn’t win one in the next five years, so why not now? He has the all-around game for a major and good memories from Augusta in years past. A lot of other names are getting more attention from the press this year, and flying a little under the radar can’t hurt either.

Scott Curry
Jason Day will win this year with a final score of -12. He has been playing well and has come close before. He likes the course and it fits his game.

Bill Chao
I’m taking Jimmy Walker at -9. He hits the ball long, hits a lot of GIR, and putts well. There was a lot of talk about Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt finishing T2 in their first Masters Tournament last year, but don’t forget Walker finished T8. He’s one of the best golfers in the world right now, and it’s his time to shine.

Tristan Hilton
I picked Spieth to win last year, and I’m going to do it again. He already has one win this year and going into round four at the Shell Houston Open, he’s poised for his second. I think that he’s getting hot at the right time, and he showed last year that he can play well at Augusta. I’ll take him to win at -8.

Jamieson Weiss
Last year I picked Rickie Fowler across the board, and was rewarded with four top-five finishes and no wins. This time I’m going with another young American superstar: Jordan Spieth, -11. Spieth already has one win this year at the Valspar and he’s had a number of close calls. He played well at Augusta a year ago, and I think he’s starting to figure out how to close the deal (which is scary, given what he’s already accomplished).

Dave Koster
Jordan Spieth (-12). He had a great run last year and has been playing really well this year. Part of me just wants him to win and the other part believes he will win. Makes it a convenient pick.

Michael C. Hepp
I would love to pick Phil Mickelson, but I don’t like that he played in the 2 events (San Antonio and Houston) before the Masters. Therefore, I am picking Sergio Garcia at -9. I believe that Sergio has played well in the early part of the season. No wins but nonetheless played pretty darn well. I know that he mentally fragile but I also feel that his renewed attitude has freed him up a bit to play well and get that first major.

Mike McLoughlin
I’m picking Jimmy Walker to win at -10. Walker has five wins in the last two seasons, including two this year. He’s a great ball striker, can hit towering long irons and can handle the super fast and undulated Augusta greens.

Erik J. Barzeski
What the heck? I’m taking Rory McIlroy to complete the career grand slam at -10. It hasn’t been a good year for Rory, but I think he’ll pull it together and get it done. Or am I just trying to jinx him? Hmmmm…

2. Tiger. Will he or won’t he has been discussed enough already, so my question is different: should he play if he’s still struggling? Why or why not?

George Promenschenkel
He’s earned the right to play, and he’s not costing someone a spot. So if he feels like he can go and compete, why not? But I’m sure you can get odds in Vegas on whether he WDs (and in which round). Of all the courses to come back (again) from a back injury, Augusta calls for a lot of odd lies and stances, not to mention just the demands of walking a very hilly course. I hope he plays well, and I hope we get to see him wear red this week.

Scott Curry
Tiger should play if only to get his confidence back. He always plays well at this course, even after a break.

Bill Chao
Yes, absolutely. Tiger playing is good for golf. If there is anywhere for him to come back from a long layoff and play at, it’s Augusta National. He’s played well there for years and I think the familiarity will be good for him.

Tristan Hilton
I think Tiger should play. It’s one thing to be able to hit the shots in practice, but competition seems to be where his issues are, and he’s not going to resolve those on the practice green. He obviously has played well at Augusta in the past and if he can put together four decent rounds it’ll go a long way towards him regaining his confidence. Plus, if everything goes right, maybe he notches number 15.

Jamieson Weiss
Whether or not he should play doesn’t really interest me, because it all comes down to speculation about what Tiger Woods really values. He’s said for years that he won’t play in an event if he doesn’t think he can win, so why were we all surprised to see him actually skip a few months with his game in shambles? Anything beyond that is just blind guesswork. Selfishly, I’m all for the opportunity to watch Tiger play golf, even if he’s hacking it around for two days. We can only hope he brings that worst-ball 66 with him to Georgia.

Dave Koster
I say yes he should play if he’s struggling. I feel like he needs to be in competition to get the edge back. You can only practice and hit so many shots on the range. At some point you have to get back out there. Augusta isn’t exactly forgiving around the green but he’s been away long enough. Time to go.

Michael C. Hepp
I believe that if Tiger is in any pain whatsoever he should not play. This one season is better spent making sure he is 100% rather than potentially re-injuring himself in any way. Given he is pain free, I think the chipping thing was only a blip on the radar. He looked to me to be only a few minor tweaks from being back to normal around the greens. The bigger issue is ball striking for me. He needs to drive it well and hit his irons miles better than he did at the Hero World Challenge. His irons were very poor during that week. If he hits the irons better he can avoid having to hit chips in the first place.

Mike McLoughlin
I think he should still play. Chances are he won’t be in the hunt but he’s only got so many majors left “in his prime”. Augusta is a good place for him to hopefully play four rounds, hit some quality shots (especially around the greens) and get something positive going for the rest of the year.

Erik J. Barzeski
He’ll play, and I think anyone who says he won’t doesn’t understand Tiger very well, what Augusta National means to him (and meant to his father), and so on.

3. Rory comes into the 2015 Masters on the verge of a career slam. Does he do it? Explain.

George Promenschenkel
No, there’s just too much pressure. The media and McIlroy have been talking about the career slam way too much this year. I think Rory will play well, maybe a top ten, but he won’t quite be able to get the last title for his slam, at least not quite yet. That day will come soon.

Scott Curry
Rory comes close, but not close enough. There is a lot of pressure on him to win this one and that will be his undoing.

Bill Chao
No, because Jimmy Walker is going to win, obviously ;). Seriously though, the pressure is on him big time, and the Masters Tournament is the one major he hasn’t done well in, historically. It would be a huge deal if he does, but I don’t he’s going to do it this year.

Tristan Hilton
Not this year; Speith is going to win… but he’ll be close come Sunday

Jamieson Weiss
I’ll say no just because it’s tough to pick any single player to win, but he’s certainly got a great chance. The Rory Story is marches on.

Dave Koster
Rory is my #2 pick. If he’s on his game there isn’t anyone that can touch him. I hope he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself because the only person that can stop Rory is Rory.

Michael C. Hepp
No, I don’t think he is going to win, I suspect somewhere just outside of the top 10, potentially making a late charge. I would love to ask Tim Finchem if he would rather have a Tiger win or Rory win at Augusta this year. Which helps the PGA Tour more for the 2015 season, I think Tiger, but Rory is the new face of the Tour and a career grand slam at such a young age would boost Rory to super-stardom.

Mike McLoughlin
I think McIlroy will finish in the top 5. He’s gotten off to a good start this season with a win in Dubai and his swing is looking awesome. Obviously I think Walker will play a bit better 🙂 Rory will have to wait another year for his career grand slam.

Erik J. Barzeski
Sure. I picked him to win, after all. Rory is not like Tiger – he’s streaky. People seem to forget that they were talking about Rory as if he’d never won a tour event at the beginning of last year, then he put on a great autumn and won Player of the Year honors. If Rory has a good week, he has as good a chance to win as anyone, and a far better chance than most.

By the way, the Tiger spectacle is doing a lot to relieve some of the pressure Rory might otherwise be feeling.

4. Defending champ Bubba Watson has played well but failed to notch a victory this year. What do you expect from the two-time Masters champ this year?

George Promenschenkel
The defending champ has a lot of gripping and grinning to do during Masters week and that can be a big distraction. Despite that and with Mickelson’s recent play in Houston, we could have a southpaw duel coming down the stretch. I look for Bubba to be the low lefty but I think the winner this year will play from the other side of the ball.

Scott Curry
Bubba will play well, but come up just short. The course fits his game, but his prep was disrupted due to a death of a friend. Bubba thrives on tournaments to prepare and missing one will set him back slightly.

Bill Chao
It’s hard to gauge where Bubba stands at The Masters. While he’s won twice, his other finishes have been less than stellar. He’s a bit of a streaky player and does have the right mix of skills to be successful at Augusta. I expect him to be in contention.

Tristan Hilton
I know he’s played pretty well this year, but I don’t think he’s going to be close on Sunday. After the win at Augusta last year, he had two cuts and a T64 at the other three majors. He’ll make the cut but his tee time on Sunday will be one of the earlier ones.

Jamieson Weiss
I expect him to verbally abuse his caddy, to hit the par fives in two strokes with ease, to sulk after every single mediocre shot, and to make stupid choices that somehow work out. I also expect Jim Nantz and crew to eat it all up the entire week. Ugh.

Dave Koster
Bubba is a lefty that can hit it very long and knows the course very well. He’ll always have a chance and I fully expect a top 10 from Bubba. I don’t see him winning back-to-back titles though.

Michael C. Hepp
I still contend that AGNC is a lefties paradise so any long hitting left hander has a great chance to win. He won’t win this year because I think the previous champion has so many duties and so much coverage, but I expect we will see his name on the second page of the leader-board at worst.

Mike McLoughlin
Even though Bubba hasn’t won he has playing well, earning three top-10 finishes, including a tie for second in the Phoenix Open, in four starts. He also loves the course and it fits his game/eye so he’s a likely candidate to finish strong, but it won’t be a win.

Erik J. Barzeski
I think it’s time for a down year at Augusta National for Bubba Watson. He’ll make the cut (most legitimate players do) but not contend seriously on the weekend.

5. A Masters rookie has not won since 1979. Jordan Spieth nearly did last year. Which rookie do you think will have the best week?

George Promenschenkel
Erik Compton… why? Just hopeful, maybe, but he’s stood up to much tougher tests in the past. He does seem to play well when he’s in the spotlight, and the spotlight is always on at Augusta.

Scott Curry
I have a soft spot for Eric Compton to do well. He is an inspiration to many for overcoming great personal health issues. I think he will be steady and not make a lot of mistakes, which will keep him close.

Bill Chao
A dislocated rib may cast some doubt on this pick, but I still think the standout of the Masters Tournament rookies this year is Brooks Koepka. If he is healthy, I expect him to do well.

Tristan Hilton
I’m not sure that any of the Masters rookies have a great shot at a win. I’ll say James Hahn just for the fact that he’s one once this year already. I’m not expecting big things though.

Jamieson Weiss
How about Erik Compton? That’s a feel-good story I’d love to see pay off.

Dave Koster
While I’d love to see Compton do well, I expect Brooks Koepka to do well as long as he’s healthy.

Michael C. Hepp
I am going for Morgan Hoffman. He played well at Arnie’s Tournament and he is long enough to punish Augusta’s par fives.

Mike McLoughlin
I’ll go with Seung-Yul Noh, he earned his invitation by winning last year in Zurich and even though his game has cooled this season I think he’s got the kind of game to compete on a course like Augusta.

Erik J. Barzeski
Masters rookies? There are only a few. Erik Compton, Morgan Hoffman, Seung-Yul Noh, Cameron Tringale, and Brooks Koepka are at the top of many lists. Others include James Hahn, Brian Harman, Shane Lowry, Robert Streb, Anirban Lahiri, Gunn Yang, Danny Willett, Brendan Todd, and Bernd Wiesberger.

From that list, I’m going with Morgan Hoffman.

Photo credits: © Rob Schumacher.