Ian Poulter +7500, Anthony Kim +8500 and KJ Choi +6600 are some of the mid range golfers to study. Poulter played overall very well last year at Augusta being among the leaders for a time and plays at very disciplined grind it out type game. He is rather flashy but his short game is solid and will either get him saves where others may not or set up opportunistic scoring chances. Kim and Choi played well also and can get around the course with fewer errors than most which will enble them to make the cut and be in prime position to make a move come Saturday "Moving Day". Some of the long shots will include Mike Weir +45000, Lucas Glover +30000, Ben Crane +26000, and Ricky Barnes +22500. Weir has the touch with the putter to make a stir if he can keep up with the longer hitters who might have an advantage off the tee. Weir's main concern with keeping the ball in play and striking for birdies and eagles when the time arrives. His solid putting ability should get him through the treacherous greens. Lucas Glover has the skill if he can ever get that one great round under his belt. Usually there is at least one windy day at Augusta and Glover seems to be one of the victims. He has won on the big stage before and he will again, but he has to have that one stellar round at Augusta to propel him and secure the momentum needed for a Green Jacket. Ben Crane is a promising talent who will mature with time. He might have been too conservative and hesitate when the situation called for agressiveness in prior Masters, however I think now he has the confidence to make the right decisions on the golf course when the tricky situations arise. Ricky Barnes played very well last year also and was a putt here or there from doing more damge than he did. The experience from last year will be in his corner. All things considered, I was impresed the way he handled himself and look for him to play well again. Some of the extreme long shots include Jose Maria Olazabal +48000 and Tom Watson +90000. Olazabal has the experience at Augusta but might give up yardage to the long ball hitters. His main concern will keeping the ball in play and making the most from his experience at the par 5's where he can be as gutsy as anyone. If he can get out of the gate good, he might be able to cause a stir but will be hard from him to come from behind. Tom Watson is the sentimental long shot and just commands the respect needed to show the young guns what an old dog can do. Watson has the savy, but will have to play error free if he hope to make a charge. Even at Watson age he could still have a few tricks left in his bag if only he can catch the breaks needed to be there on "Moving Day." Destiny may come into play after that as it did with Nicklaus in that Masters For The Ages. These are just a few on the golfers who have caught my eye and I will probably have more on others as I read more articles closer to tournamnet time.
Good stuff. I like Poulter and Crane in that list. Crane leads the PGA in Greens in Reg % - however that is only out of 15 rounds compared to Bubba Watson in 2nd.
Just couldn't see adding Anthony Kim to my list. As good as he has been in the past, he has been all over the place in the past year. (Now watch he is in the top 5 going into the final round after I say that).
Just couldn't see adding Anthony Kim to my list. As good as he has been in the past, he has been all over the place in the past year. (Now watch he is in the top 5 going into the final round after I say that).
The thing about Kim is when he gets it going he can be a birdie eagle machine and Augusta can be forgivng of wayward shots if you have the balls to go for it ala Phil Michelson last year. Not saying Kim or any other player for that matter can equal Michelson's miraculous shot making of last year but just because an individual player goes left or right off the tee at Augusta does not necessarly mean an automatic bogey. I still like the way Ricky Barnes plays the course or how he peformed last year. Very deliberate, a shade on the conservative side but will press the issue if deemed the right play for that situation. One who gets his par when he has to and moves on to the next hole looking for any scoring opportunity he might create for himself. Really nothing flashy in his play or anthing special to write home about but he just grinds it out hole after hole. I think his persevernace and self discipline will pay off at Augusta sometime in the very near future. I not unlike yourself now that I say that watch him been on the cut line. God I hope I just didn't jinx Ricky Barnes because I plan to at least some $$$ at the +22500.
On Feb 11th, I made a Bubba bet at +10500 (big move in my favor), JB Holmes +15000 (not making it to the Master unless he wins the Shell) and Cabrera +10000 (moved against me)
In addition, Im grabbing a few of these big dogs...
Lucas Glover +32500 (Im shocked at this number)
Snedeker +17500
Appleby +17500
In addition, Im grabbing a few of these big dogs...
Lucas Glover +32500 (Im shocked at this number)
Snedeker +17500
Appleby +17500
