Countdown to the Masters

With Tiger Out, What Will Happen?

By Caroline Davenport

I’m back loyal blog readers, and I apologize for the impromptu hiatus, that’s what happens when you have bronchitis and spring break back to back. But enough about me, while I was sick and hanging out with my parents, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of Doral and how it played out two weeks ago. It was frustrating to see Tiger on the prowl completely obliterate his back after one awkward bunker shot, but it was also nice to see, yet again, another up-and-comer, Patrick Reed, lead the pack and eventually take the prize, at the brand new Doral nonetheless. 

The tides are turning on the PGA Tour, and the Jason Days, Jordan Speiths and Adam Scotts are becoming household names, replacing the Tigers, Mickelsons and Watsons. Speaking of Adam Scott, let’s discuss his rather impressive slaying of Bay Hill at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the usual stomping ground of Tiger Woods, who was 2013’s champion. Is Scott gearing up for the Masters in a couple of weeks?

The opening round of the Masters starts April 10^th, in about three weeks, and with only two more tournaments in between, the stakes are getting higher each week. Adam Scott’s performance has been perfect right out of the gate, shooting an impressive 10-under 62 the first round and as of Saturday he was at 15 under. That type of slaying is exactly the fire Scott needs to compete for a back to back Masters win.  

Some other players to keep an eye out for in the upcoming weeks are the usual young guns, such as Rickie Fowler, who has been working with his swing coach instead of tournament play this weekend, Bubba Watson, former Masters champ, who won the Northern Trust Open back in February, Jason Day, the Aussie who won the Accenture Match play championship in February as well, and then, the no name. Out of the last eleven tournaments played, eight of the winners were pros I have never heard of before such as Patrick Reed (who won twice), Russell Henley, and Scott Stallings. Could someone win the Masters that is apart of the ranks of the unknown this year? It is very possible, and all though the Masters and Augusta are known for their “traditions” I think they could use a little shake up.