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 Tiger Woods (left) and Phil Mickelson have each won multiple Green Jackets, but neither will add to his collection this week (PHOTO: Eddie Meeks for Woods, Mark Susson for Mickelson). Tiger Woods Good news: Most fans and players appear to be pulling for the world’s No. 1, who returns from his long hiatus to a venue where he’s won four times. Bad news: Even for one of the most mentally tough and well-prepared athletes ever, there will still be some rust he’ll have to shake off. Verdict: The Cypress native hasn’t won the Masters since 2005 and hasn’t felt as comfortable on the layout since it was modified significantly in 2002. He’ll make the cut out of sheer will and put together a decent weekend showing, but too much time away from the game and what has to be a more hectic than usual existence when he’s outside the ropes will prevent him from winning. Prediction: 15th place. Phil Mickelson Good news: Lefty has won twice at Augusta, and even though he’s struggled in 2010, he insists everything he does is valuable tune-up experience for the season’s first major. Bad news: Mickelson has struggled this season, failing to win a tournament before the Masters for the first time since 2003. Verdict: If it hasn’t been the putter, it’s been the driver. If it hasn’t been his short game, it’s been his iron play. Mickelson hasn’t come close to firing on all cylinders in a season where many (including me) expected him to creep close to an even snatch the No. 1 spot in the world from Woods. The inconsistency will continue this week. Prediction: 20th place. Hunter Mahan Good news: The 27-year-old won the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this season and heads into this season’s grand slam slate with solid mojo from last year’s Big Four (tied for 10th at the Masters, tied for sixth at the U.S. Open, tied for 16th at PGA Championship). Bad news: In 2009, Mahan was all about consistency (no missed cuts and 16 top-25 finishes in 25 events. In 2010, Mahan has won, but has finished no better than tied for 25th at six other stroke-play events and only broken 70 three times outside Phoenix. Verdict: The Orange native’s game seems to spike slightly at big events, from majors to the biennial Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup matches. If Mahan displays the same steely putting nerves he did at Phoenix, he will contend for the title. I think he will. Prediction: Third place. Anthony Kim Good news: It’s hard to enter the Masters in better fashion than Kim, who won last week’s Shell Houston Open in a playoff over Vaughn Taylor. The Los Angeles native showed the same bravado that enabled him to win twice back in 2008. Bad news: His career is still young, but Kim’s aggressive style on the course hasn’t produced ideal results in majors. Kim has finished inside the top 10 only once at grand slam event (tie for seventh at the 2008 British Open) and finished decently in his first Masters last year (tie for 20th). Verdict: Historically wild drivers of the ball — including Woods, Mickelson, Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal — have each won at least two Green Jackets. With a great imagination and the confidence to pull off almost any shot, Kim could one day join that elite group. I think he needs a little bit more experience, though. Prediction: 25th. Kevin Na Good news: Na’s stellar play last season earned him his first Masters invite. The former Diamond Bar resident contended for the title in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill late last month, so he heads to Augusta with some momentum. Bad news: Na is playing in his first Masters. The last player to win in his debut start as a pro — Tiger Woods in 1997. Verdict: The 26-year-old is a sleeper this week because he is one of the best putters in the world. Although he’s yet to face Augusta’s severely undulating greens in competition, his talent with the flatstick should allow him to catch on quickly and lead to a respectable debut. Prediction: 12th. Fred Couples Good news: The 50-year-old La Quinta resident has won three out of four starts on the Champions Tour and held his own on the PGA Tour despite struggling at last week’s Shell Houston Open (tied for 55th). Bad news: After making the cut in 23 consecutive Masters appearances through 2007, Couples has missed out on the weekend in his last two starts. Verdict: What a story it would be for Couples to contend — not quite on the level of Tom Watson’s run at last year’s British Open, but certainly close. The 1992 champion has looked superb on the Champions Tour’s greens this season, but those surfaces pale in comparison to what’s in store at Augusta. Prediction: 50th. John Merrick Good news: The Long Beach native tied for sixth at his first Masters a year ago, then tied for 10th at the PGA Championship. He’s yet to win on the PGA Tour but has done well at majors, recording a total of three top-10 finishes. Bad news: After a 2009 season that included a few close calls at the top of the leaderboard, the 2010 season has been incredibly quiet, with nothing better than tie for 25th at the Sony Open to start the year. Verdict: Merrick’s 2010 struggles have been the result of a familiar nemesis — the putter. After showing some progress by ranking 68th on Tour in putting average in ’09, Merrick has regressed in ’10 by ranking 121st in putting average and 145 in total putts per round. He remains an astounding ballstriker but won’t be able to contend again until he gets his flatstick straightened out. Prediction: 40th. ALSO: Past champions Mark O’Meara (1998) and Craig Stadler (1982) return to the field. O’Meara, a former Mission Viejo resident and All-American at Long Beach State, last made the cut in 2005. Stadler, a San Diego native, has missed six of the last 10 cuts. Don’t expect either to make the cut — but definitely expect to see O’Meara hanging around over the weekend if good friend Woods is in the title hunt. WINNER: Steve Stricker. He is definitely the world’s Best Player Without a Major. He is very consistent in all facets of the game and will play the par 5s well all week while limiting mistakes. I just think it’s his time. Check back to Southland Golf all week for more coverage of the Masters. Local Focus is an online-only weekly analysis of the PGA Tour and other national circuits from a Southern California perspective. OTHER LOCAL FOCUS FEATURES: Tseng right at home for Kraft Nabisco Championship Five locals to watch at LPGA Tour's Kia Classic Mickelson adds Bay Hill to schedule Kim heads to Doral with momentum Local players to watch at Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic |
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Not So Fast Next Time, You never mentioned to say the "TASTE" In A Players Mouth, Prior to a Major, Makes All The Difference !!! Tiger Played Very Well, Considering ALL, But Always remember 80% Mental...,oh yes he's a mental giant, but FAMILY PROBLEMS is another Thing !!! Congrats To Phil He Proved To Be The Bigger Of The Two. IT IS WHAT IT IS. Life always deals some giant hurtles... It's HOW YOU PLAY THE SHOT !!! JohnAlan
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