Who’s hot and who’s not at the Masters, from the sizzling Rory McIlroy to a chilly Jordan Spieth

By Teddy Greenstein Chicago Tribune • April 10, 2019 6:00 pm
Jordan Spieth (left), Rickie Fowler (middle), and Justin Thomas tee off on the fourth hole during the Masters Par -3 Contest at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)
Jordan Spieth (left), Rickie Fowler (middle), and Justin Thomas tee off on the fourth hole during the Masters Par -3 Contest at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

By Teddy Greenstein

Chicago Tribune

AUGUSTA, Ga. — It’s as cliched as “A Tradition Unlike Any Other” and “The Masters doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday.”

As Phil Mickelson put it Tuesday about Augusta National: “You drive up Magnolia Lane and things just change. You have that special feeling. Oftentimes it brings out (your) best.”

Mickelson could use the boost after missing two cuts (Players Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational) in his last three starts.

Here’s a look at who’s hot and who’s not —and their wagering odds to win —heading into the Masters:

Rory McIlroy (7-1)

His pre-round routine now includes meditation and juggling. “Just three (balls),” he said. “I’m a rookie.” No, he’s a stud. McIlroy has seven straight top-10 finishes and shot 16 under to win the Players Championship.

Paul Casey (25-1)

Even among the best never to win a major, he’s underrated. Since missing the cut in Hawaii in January, his world ranking has risen from 24th to 11th.

Matt Kuchar (40-1)

“Kooooch” has soared from 40th to 16th in the world. He still ranks among the tour’s nicest guys but now is controversial enough that he might find himself in the mix for a GoDaddy commercial.

Dustin Johnson (10-1)

He dusted the field by five shots in Mexico, shooting no worse than 67. But then he curiously stumbled down the stretch in Tampa, carding a season-worst 74.

Kevin Kisner (66-1)

The local fave (his hometown of Aiken, S.C., is 20 miles from Augusta) beat Kuchar in the final of the WGC Match Play two weeks ago in Austin, Texas. He also had a run of crazy-solid play beginning in Phoenix with six straight finishes between 22nd and 28th.

Rickie Fowler (18-1)

Some rate him the top player in the field, though he has been merely mortal since romping in Phoenix on Super Bowl Sunday. As you’ve heard, Fowler is way overdue to win a major.

Xander Schauffele (40-1)

Simon says raise your hand if you know this guy ranks 10th in the world. Keep it raised if you know his only Masters finish was a tie for 50th. Gotcha.

Phil Mickelson (33-1)

Lefty normally plays Houston the week before the Masters, but a change in the tour schedule led him to chillax in the run-up to Augusta. “It’s a chance to be fresh and ready, but it’s also a chance to be maybe not as sharp,” he said. “I’m not sure how it will play out.”

Justin Rose (10-1)

He is consistent enough to have been ranked either first or second in the world every week since the BMW Championship in September. Back-to-back top-10s add some sizzle heading into the Masters.

Tiger Woods (14-1)

Less than a year and a half ago, Woods ranked 668th, a few spots ahead of Happy Gilmore. He was 105th entering last year’s Masters and is now No. 12 after yanking that 4-footer in his quarterfinal match in Austin.

Bubba Watson (33-1)

The flat stick has failed Watson, who ranks 162nd on tour in strokes gained putting. He did tie for fourth in Tampa, so he has that going for him.

Sergio Garcia (33-1)

Garcia has been on the Apology Tour after whacking bunkers, damaging greens and missing a backhanded tap-in. He does have four top-10s this year, so it hasn’t been a complete waste.

Brooks Koepka (20-1)

Does it matter how this three-time major champion (all since 2017) has been playing of late? If you believe it does, don’t bet on him. His last three results: missed cut, T-56, T-56.

Patrick Reed (50-1)

Good thing he has that green jacket to stay warm because his game is ice cold. His last top-10 came in November, and he closed with a 78 in the Players Championship.

Jordan Spieth (20-1)

He has been as efficient as the Cubs bullpen, failing to finish in the top 20 in his last 11 events. And his weekends have been worse than his opening rounds. But his Masters record (T2, 1, T2, 11, 3) is the stuff of Mike Trout.