What we learned from the Masters 2013

Adam Scott claimed his first major title at Augusta last week in what was perhaps the most gripping final day of the Masters for some time.  In a week where many records were broken, mostly by Guan Tianlang who became the youngest player ever to make the cut at 14, Adam Scott broke another in becoming the first Australian to claim a Green Jacket.  It has been long speculated that Adam Scott was the best player never to have claimed a Major; this view was reinforced when he threw the Open away in spectacular fashion last year and I suspect I was not the only one who thought that that might damage him mentally but he bounced back well to win last week.  A lot happened last week, as it always does at Majors, and here are a few things the golfing world can take away from Augusta.

Adam Scott has always been an amazing talent; his iron striking is first class and he is widely regarded as having the best swing on Tour.  Scott has now broken his Major duck and more are surely to follow, I expect Scott to claim at least another 2 before he retires, however that might hinge on something else.

Adam Scott was yet another winner of a Major with an Anchored Putter and has thus brought the debate back into the fold.  If the proposed ban on Anchoring goes through, all methods of belly putter would become illegal except that of Matt Kuchar who holds it against his left arm.  This could have disastrous effects on recent Major Champions such as Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and of course, our latest Masters Champion, Adam Scott.

This one pains me a little, but even I have to admit that Tiger seems back to his best.  Though we will never really know, one can speculate that, without the 2 shot penalty on Friday that seriously halted his momentum, he could have claimed his 5^th Green Jacket. 

However, while Tiger is back to somewhere near his best, that doesn’t allow him to have his own set of rules.  The 2 shot penalty was farcical even if the rules about TV evidence have changed and anybody else would have been DQ’d.  It wasn’t what he did that seems so wrong it’s the fact that he said without fear that he  had done it deliberately to give himself an easier shot, if that’s not cheating then what is nowadays?

Guan Tianlang will be a future star and his performance in the Masters was fantastic however it does reopen the debate about whether 14 years old is too young to play with the Pro’s.  His performance no doubt proves that he is capable enough as a player but the pressure and the spotlight can damage someone so young and maybe regulations could be imposed to prevent it going any lower, although having said that, there is a 12 year old due to play in the China Masters and that is definitely too young!

While it would be nice to believe it, an Over 50’s player will probably never win a Major.  At the Open in 2009 Tom Watson came agonisingly close to a Major win at the age of 59 and this week the likes of Couples (who always plays well at Augusta) and Langer shone for a while but the reality is, the youth of today is too good and as we all saw, Couples and Langer fell away at the weekend.  When you see the likes of a 14 year old making the cut at Majors, the average age of a winner is only going in one direction. 

 

FF

 

 

 

        

Masters 2013 Predictions

Masters 2013 predictions

It’s that time of year again when any golfing fan has their eyes glued to the TV screen watching the lush green fairways and undulating greens of Augusta National.  Yes! It’s time for the Masters once again.  Personally this is my favourite Major, I can’t tell you why because to be honest I don’t really know; as a Brit it should probably be the Open but there is something about the Masters that makes it extra special for me.  Here are my six predictions, in no particular order, of who I think has shown promise in the weeks leading up to this and who might have an addition to their wardrobe come Sunday.

Woods.  Much as I hate to say it, based on current form it would be perfectly understandable if all I wrote about was Tiger but golf isn’t like that.  While his form and history at Augusta should all point to him, golf has a way of throwing a curve ball sometimes, especially at the year’s first Major.  He is outright bookies favourite at 15/2 but we have yet to see him in his recent form at a Major and I’m still a little dubious that his nerves will hold out.

Schwartzel.  A previous winner of the elusive green jacket, and expected to add more majors to his tally.  Very calm attitude and solid all round game.  He found some form at the end of last year, and when he gets going on the greens he is virtually unstoppable as we saw in 2011 with his 4 birdie finish.

Oosthuizen.  Came so close last year and already with Major winning experience.  Got a golf swing to die for as well as a rock solid putting stroke, he’s my favourite to go one better than he did last year.

Rose.  Some people might argue that he doesn’t putt well enough but he’s the only Brit in with a chance in my opinion.  Been in very good form in the last 18 months and deserves a Major I think.

Snedeker.  Looked to be the best golfer on the planet earlier this year before injury hampered his progress.  He has had good finishes there in the past and will undoubtedly putt well on Augusta’s quick greens.

Adam Scott. Another player whose putting can let him down but he can be a little bit streaky too.  If his golf swing his firing on all cylinders then watch out, he’ll be just tapping in for birdies anyway.  Will be interesting to see whether last year’s Open haunts him though.

Obviously with the Tour seemingly so open these days there are a few obvious names that i have neglected, the big one being McIlroy of course.  As good a player as McIlroy is I don’t think even he can suddenly switch it on for a Major and his form has been shocking of late.  Other British hopefuls like Poulter, Donald and Westwood all have chances but they will need a good week.   As I’ve been saying all along, if Poulter could harness his Ryder Cup form then he would be virtually unbeatable anywhere.  Donald has the short game and the accuracy but something about him doesn’t suit my eye to win at Augusta, I think he will win a Major but my guess would be US Open for him when accuracy plays a bigger part than length.  As for Westwood I think he missed his chance in 2010, not really found any decent form so far this year and his short game is still a little ropey.  Despite his age I would never discount Mickelson round Augusta but the odds are against him at 42 years old.   

As a real outside punt, I’m going to pick Zach Johnson purely because two people have said they will buy me a pint if he wins so that can’t be bad really.

FF