2011 MASTERS FIELD OVERVIEW

• Robert Allenby – Never contended in a major and hasn’t won since 2001. What else do you need to know?


• Stuart Appleby – Shot 59 to get in this field on a pitch & putt track. Had the 54-hole lead a few years back, but has had middling results this year to-date. Pass.


• # Arjun Atwal – See that # sign before his name? That means 1st timer. That means no way he’s winning this week.


• Aaron Baddeley – Playing well, great putter. Could be a decent dark horse pick. I see top 30 and one round in 60’s.


• Ricky Barnes – Career year in 2010; fighting back issues in 2011. Too rusty to be considered a serious threat. MC.


• Jason Bohn – Rode hot streak in 2010 to win and post a career year. 2011 has been a bust to-date. MC.


• Jonathan Byrd – 4 W’s but disappears for long stretches at a time. Never been in the mix in a major. MC.


• Angel Cabrera – Apparently, has been in a lot of pain from dental issues all year. No form in 2011, but that’s not saying anything when talking about El Pato. Still, I don’t think this is the week. MC.


• Paul Casey – Has contended here in the past but never played well on Sunday. At this point, reminds me of Charles Howell III, lots of promise, but not too many wins. Not sure what is going on this year. Pass.


• Alex Cejka – Was surprised to see the German in the field. Has never won on the Tour. Sometimes posts decent scores to start a tournament but ultimately fades. He’ll play the weekend.


• K.J. Choi – Playing decent in 2011 and has been in the mix somewhat here. He is one of my top 5 picks.


• #* David Chung – No idea what he did to get in here but is a rookie and amateur. See ya.


• Stewart Cink – Has backed up his British Open win with…wait a minute, he hasn’t done anything since his major win. I read he switched instructors so he is still working on things. Should make the cut and that’s all.


• Tim Clark – “Gritty” Tim hasn’t played since January. That isn’t exactly “peaking” for the majors. MC.


• Fred Couples – Back is not good, but should gut out the weekend. Cannot win due to senior nerves on the greens.


• Ben Crane – Takes advantage of his good weeks each year, but is never consistent from week-to-week. Meh.


• Ben Crenshaw – I thought Gentle Ben was a renowed course designer now? Grab your clubs with headcovers Ben.


• # Jason Day – 1st timer, not following up break-out year. Not patient enough. MC.


• Luke Donald – Not a long ball hitter and certainly not straight off the tee, but great iron player and World Class short game. I see a top 10 this year and maybe even more. Still, hasn’t won a stroke play event since 2006.


• Ernie Els – Poor Ernie. Played the Sunday round of his life in ’04 but Phil bested him. Has had horrible starts since and has had to make up too much ground. Hasn’t played well in 2011 but maybe low expectations will help? No.


• Ross Fisher – Was in the mix at the British Open the year Watson won, I mean, Watson almost won, but hasn’t been up to form in 2011. There is always one European player that surprises each year. Top 20.


• # Rickie Fowler – Rookie and currently the most overrated player on Tour other than McIlroy. Pass.


• # Hiroyuki Fujita – Who’s this guy? MC.


• Jim Furyk – Last year’s FedEx Cup Champion is playing like the DHL Cup Champion (DHL left the U.S. market during the Great Recession in case you didn’t catch that). Has never been a factor at Augusta and won’t be this year.


• Sergio Garcia – [Sigh]. Sergio, Sergio whereartthoufor Sergio? A mental midget and on the comeback trail but even if his ball-streaking is back, there is still the issue of putting and Sunday pressure. No way, no how.


• Lucas Glover – Similar to Cink, hasn’t backed up his major win with anything notable except some top 10’s. MC.


• Retief Goosen – I thought Retief was on the comeback trail with a ton of top 10’s last year, but hasn’t really elevated his game any further. Always seems to perform well here but form is so off I can’t buy into it.


• Bill Haas – Has slowed down somewhat since his early season West Coast success. Not enough reps here yet to be considered for winning, but has the game to factor someday. Thought about it though.


• Anders Hansen – Surprised at WGC event earlier but traditionally, Euros only have one good event over here per year so I’m saying MC.


• # Peter Hanson – Has played well in some U.S. events, but see that # sign? Bodes poorly for anything but cut.


• Padraig Harrington – Showing signs after changing 15 different things (again) in his swing during the off-season. Weakness still seems to be off the tee but Augusta is more forgiving there. I like Paddy to top 15.


• # Gregory Havret – Future trivia question answer as in: “Who came in 2nd at Pebble Beach the year Graeme McDowell won?” MC.


• # Charley Hoffman – Of all the 1st timers on the board, I like Hoffman’s chances the best for some reason. Throws a LOT of big numbers on his card due to wild drives and can maybe get away with a couple more here…but this may be just wishful thinking on my part.


• Yuta Ikeda – Has played a few PGA events this year with no success. How is this guy top 50 in the world? MC.


• Trevor Immelman – Former champ is finally healthy and putting some results on the board. Read one golf magazine’s opinion that he won one of the most dull Masters ever, shooting 75 on a windy Sunday. Weekend.


• Ryo Ishikawa – Not yet. Too much on his mind and hasn’t really played well anyway.


• #* Jin Jeong – Every hole he plays the patrons will ask each other “What did he do to get here?”


• Miguel Angel Jimenez – OK. This has nothing to do with the Masters, but I always chuckle when folks talk about how MAJ “enjoys life to the fullest” with his wines and cigars. Um. NO SH%T!. If all I had to do was travel the world to play golf and make millions I would be loving life too. Ridiculous. Oh, his chances? None.


• Dustin Johnson – First off, Dustin, please read the local rules sheet. Secondly, are you putting well enough to contend this year? Maybe not, but this guy is a prime-time player. Top 10 on talent alone. Future winner.


• Zach Johnson – The Charles Coody champ of his generation, Zach has lost his game this year. I think he will still make the cut on course knowledge and strategy alone.


• Robert Karlsson – Swedish giant had a good run going in ‘09 until he injured his eye; hasn’t done much since. MC.


• Martin Kaymer – I think this is an important week for the young #1 player. He will show up too. Top 10.


• Jerry Kelly – Just happy to be back on hallowed grounds. Not straight enough and not long enough.


• Anthony Kim – Has the course record for most birdies in 1 round and went low for at least one round in Houston. Time to step up AK and make me look good ‘cause I see you in the mix!


• # Kyung-Tae Kim- Too many Kims to consider.


• #* Lion Kim – Another one?


• Matt Kuchar – Top 10 machine and has had success here as an amateur years ago. Great putter, but not long. Too chic a top 10 pick for my liking this week, but would be a popular winner.


• # Martin Laird – This guy is starting to look like a real solid player, but a rookie here. Should be the best finisher of the rookies after Hoffman.


• Davis Love III – Made the field due to high finish at Open at Pebble last year. Once was a prohibitive favorite here but that was a decade or more ago. Must be frustrated that ATM event Heritage is likely a goner after this year.


• Sandy Lyle – Past champion’s only contribution this year will be answering media questions about playing with Jack on Sunday in ’86.


• Hunter Mahan – Consistently playing decent all year on many tracks and has been in the mix at big events lately, even winning the WGC at Firestone last year. However, his chipping is still very suspect and putter is streaky. Also hasn’t finished well on Sundays since the Ryder Cup. Top 15.


• Steve Marino – Hits it high and long, but favors a fade versus the draw. He could be in the mix or MC. He’s hoping for a Monday finish if you know what I mean. Can’t pick him to top 10 yet.


• #* Hideki Matsuyama – Rookie and amateur. Enjoy the Crow’s Nest.


• Graeme McDowell – I would love for G-Mac to be in the mix, but something tells me that he will soon be coming down from his high of the past 12 months, if not already. Has the demeanor though and can handle the pressure.


• Rory McIlroy – This kid is under my skin since he talks too much and has only won twice in like 3 years now. Can shoot some ridiculously good scores and did contend at the PGA last year. However, due to limited form this year, I will stay away.


• Phil Mickelson – Your defending champ and 2011 winner. Will it finally get him to the #1 World Ranking? Maybe, Yes Sir!


• Larry Mize – 1987 winner has memories to last a life-time while Greg Norman has nightmares to last just as long.


• Edoardo Molinari – Someday, someone will sufficiently explain what that “Two Molinaris” song is that was sung at the Ryder Cup, but until then, let’s enjoy a missed cut for both.


• Francesco Molinari – See above. MC.


• Ryan Moore – Solid player but not enough reps here to be a serious threat. Playing well in 2011 = top 20.


• Kevin Na – I hope he isn’t in the mix because he is so painful (slow) to watch. Usually makes coin on West Coast weak field events so not expecting too much. Oh. And he’s never won anywhere.


• Sean O'Hair – After 2009, many expected O’Hair to step it up to the next level. Instead, he simply joins the list of many players who have had a hot stretch or year…so far. MC.


• Mark O'Meara – One of a very short list of multiple major winners in the Tiger era. Ceremonial here though.


• Geoff Ogilvy – It’s a mystery why this guy has played so poorly the last couple of years. High ball hitter and good putter who should do well here but no form thus far in 2011.


• Jose Maria Olazabal – Perhaps one of the most talented players in the last 20 years to be debilitated to such an extent by injuries. It’s really sad actually.


• Louis Oosthuizen – At least folks can say his name now, right? Not enough reps at Augusta yet to factor.


• # Jeff Overton – Rookie should win some crystal for an eagle somewhere, but has been struggling in 2011.


• Ryan Palmer – Shows up once or twice a year on Tour for a high finish or win. Not this week.


• Carl Pettersson – No one has ever won at the Masters with a broomstick putter. ‘Nuff said.


• # D.A. Points – Won earlier at Pebble when he experienced a lifetime of career shots in about 20 minutes. Bill Murray isn’t here to help him this week though.


• Ian Poulter – Apparently in his pre-tournament press conference, he doubted his ability to finish top 5 this week. IAN - I COULDN’T AGREE WITH YOU MORE. You might be just behind Tiger in the World Rankings soon though!


• Alvaro Quiros – Spanish bomber usually has one good week a year in the U.S. I’ll gamble it’s later in the year.


• Justin Rose – Although Rose won twice in 2010, he still can’t be considered a ‘finisher’. Still, game is there and contended once previously before giving way…so a top 10 it is.


• Rory Sabbatini – Won a couple weeks back with great ball-striking and putting. Contended a few years back too. Definitely in consideration for a top 10, but I just don’t trust him.


• Charl Schwartzel – I thought Charl might be a force on the U.S. Tour this year, but hasn’t found any form to-date. Pass this week.


• Adam Scott – Remember that comment about the broomstick putter? Among many other things, no way.


• Vijay Singh – Former champ showing signs, but not a good enough putter to win this year. The year he won the greens were soft and he won with GIRs.


• Heath Slocum – “Slocum if you got ‘em”. Every time….I say this to myself… when I hear his name. Not a recipe for success though.


• * Nathan Smith – No idea.


• Brandt Snedeker – Came close a couple years back and subsequently cried during the post-tournament press conferences. Despite that, Brandt is my dark horse selection to top 10.


• Craig Stadler – I am the Walrus, Koo-Koo-Cu-Choo….just trying to break 80.


• Henrik Stenson – Finished top 3 at St. Andrews last year but really, has been terrible otherwise since his Players win in 2009. Sweden will have to wait another year for their 1st major champion.


• # Kevin Streelman – Rookie who should focus on winning the Kodak challenge. Absolutely no shot.


• Steve Stricker – Great putter. Nice guy. Has contended in a couple of majors – but I just am not feeling it.


• David Toms – Best days are behind him. Will ‘defend’ his PGA win here in Atlanta in August though.


• #* Peter Uihlein – Rookie is the son of Acushnet Titleist President. That is all.


• Bo Van Pelt – Bo don’t know this track. Hasn’t found 2010 form but didn’t get hot last year until this time either.


• # Jhonattan Vegas – How great a story would it be if this guy won or even contended? Is he hitting a wall? Rookie.


• Camilo Villegas – “Attention. This is the fairway calling Camilo. Come in Camilo.” 2011 claim to fame is alphabet soup of finishes. Yikes.


• Nick Watney – After Phil, everyone’s chic pick and who can blame them? Did he learn from last year’s Sunday melt down at Whistling Straits? Can he putt well enough to win? Impossible not to pick for top 10 based on form.


• Bubba Watson – Speaking of Whistling Straits, played great until last playoff hole there, handing the W to Kaymer. Wouldn’t totally surprise me if he contended, but wondering if all his cuts, draws, slices, etc. is too much here.


• Tom Watson – Great interview with him on The Golf Channel last night. Many fans still in pain from 2009 loss at Turnberry. Hopefully, he can make the weekend.


• Mike Weir – Will likely have to take a top 50 all-time $ winner exemption to keep his card for 2012. MC.


• Lee Westwood – Hasn’t played that great the last few months and his chipping is suspect but I like him to top 10 anyway. Best chance to win one may be at St. George’s later in the summer.


• # Mark Wilson – The unlikeliest 4-time Tour winner and a multiple winner this year. Rookie here though.


• # Gary Woodland – Rookie with serious talent. In the Laird/Hoffman sweepstakes for low 1st-timer.


• Tiger Woods – Tiger hasn’t won it since the Hootie make-over and his short game is the worst it’s ever been. The last time I wrote him off was during the 10 minutes after he posted a 40 on his 1st 9 holes here in 1997. Uh oh.


• Ian Woosnam – Wee Woosie still has nightmares about two drivers in his bag. Oh, what could have been.


• Y.E. Yang – 2009 PGA champ showing signs of a return to form, but not ready in this event. Not even low Korean.