Masters Week: Five Players We Would Love to See Go Low at The Masters Today

Golf isn’t fair; Bubba Watson’s sudden death win over Louis Oosthuizen in 2012 comes to mind. Both players hit loose drives on the second hole in the sudden death playoff, but the left-handed Watson had a window and it suited his curve-ball game. Watson’s banana hook from the pine jungle for the win was utterly unbelievable. And poor Greg Norman, the 1987 Masters was golf’s ultimate display of cruelty with Larry Mize at the helm.

There will be heartbreak tomorrow. Joy and ecstasy require their counterpart misery, to make an appearance or it’s a fairytale. Frankly, life’s not fair and golf sure as hell isn’t either.

If the golf gods are listening, please be good to these guys.

Sergio Garcia has finished in second twice in the PGA Championships and The Open Championship. His best U.S. Open finish is a tie for third, his best Masters finish is a tie for fourth. Today he starts in a four-way tie for first at four-under par. Vamos, “El Niño”!

“Boom Boom” is making noise again in Augusta. Fred Couples, the 57-year-old won the event in 1992. He goes off today at 2:30 p.m. and is playing with Spaniard Jon Rahm, who was not even born in 1992, (born 1994).

Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera having some fun at the Karibana Skins Match in Colombia last December

Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera having some fun at the Karibana Skins Match in Colombia last December

Ernie Els, “The Big Easy” arrived in Augusta with a sore back and thoughts that this might be his last trip down Magnolia Lane. This is his last exemption after winning The Open Championship in 2012; he finished second in 2000 and 2004. Els’ 2004 loss was a result of Phil Mickelson’s 20-footer for birdie to which Els replied, “One man’s ecstasy is another man’s agony.”

Lee Westwood’s 77 yesterday didn’t do much to help him get his first major. Six times Westwood, has finished in second or third in a major. The UPS logo has to close the deal eventually, doesn’t he? A brilliant weekend for Westwood could mean more Shepherd’s pie at the Masters Champions Dinner, but it doesn’t seem likely.

Few players are better at must-see TV than Phil Mickelson. A fourth green jacket would further elevate “Lefty’s” status as an all-time legend. Perhaps we’ll see him jumping for joy in those $10,000 custom gators one more time. Oh yeah, and a fourth Masters win would bring the Mickelson and Tiger Woods Augusta battle to a tie, wow.

We’re halfway through the 2017 edition of The Masters and today is moving day.

Play well, men.

 

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