Power Rankings: Masters Tournament

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POWER RANKINGS

Power Rankings: Masters Tournament
- April 04, 2016
  By Rob Bolton , PGATOUR.COM Follow @RobBoltonGolf
Rickie Fowler is 5-for-5 at Augusta National with a T5 (2014) and a T12 (2015) as his best results. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The number 80. It’s a dubious figure in golf, at least if you’re a touring professional. Not since Kenny Knox with a third-round 80 at the 1986 Honda Classic has any tournament winner carded that aggregate or higher. It’s never happened at Augusta National Golf Club where, with 77s, Sam Snead (third round, 1952) and Nick Faldo (third round, 1989) share the highest score en route to victory. Snead still won by four; Faldo needed a playoff. However, it’s a round number that will be embraced this week because the Masters is in its 80th edition.

While parts of the North have reason to disagree, winter officially ends when golf fans from that latitude settle in to watch the first major of the year. Those on site will have been smart to wear comfortable shoes on a piece of property where a flat lie is but a rumor. Yes, ANGC is exponentially hillier than what’s perceived on a two-dimensional monitor, but it’s still as advertised as arguably the most iconic golf course on the planet.

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Augusta National’s familiarity is the reason why there’s a learning curve to claim the green jacket. The world’s best return every year with their experience in pursuit of a career-defining accomplishment. And it’s not about splitting fairways and hitting greens that matters. It’s about where to target tee balls on forgiving landing areas and where to avoid missing on approach. Those objectives build the foundation for a run at the title. Putting is the eternal equalizer as long as the first two missions are accomplished, at least to some degree. There is too much prior knowledge in play and in a tournament where the cut is a competitor-friendly low 50 and ties. Everyone within 10 strokes of the 36-hole lead also plays on.

Not that defending champion Jordan Spieth cares much for trends. After sharing second place in his debut in 2014, he cruised to victory in wire-to-wire fashion last year, becoming the most recent since Charl Schwartzel in 2011 to win in just his second appearance. Only three golfers have won in their debuts, the last being Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 otherwise known as the answer to the most common Masters trivia question, but it’s often overlooked that Tiger Woods’ win in 1997 occurred in his first appearance as a professional. His previous two were as an amateur.

After ranking as the hardest par 72 in 2013 and 2014, Augusta National played to a tame 72.536 last year, slotting it way down at seventh-hardest among all par 72s in 2014-15 alone. The par 3s and par 4s are traditionally among the toughest sets on the PGA TOUR, so taking advantages of the par 5s on the 7,435-yard test is a must. Spieth blew away the entire track, ranking T2 in both par-3 and par-4 scoring and finishing T4 in par-5 scoring. He equaled the tournament record of 18-under 270 (Woods, 1997) on the shoulders of 28 birdies, most ever in a single edition.

Spieth’s record is safe for at least one year as moderate-to-high winds are forecast for at least the first three rounds. Augusta National is sheltered by mature trees, but they can do only so much to diminish the influence of the breezes. After the threat for inclement weather ends midday on Thursday, sunny and dry conditions will take over, but it’s going to be cool the rest of the way. Daytime highs probably won’t touch 70 degrees.

POWER RANKINGS: Masters Tournament

RANK

PLAYER

COMMENT

1		Rickie Fowler	It’s time. The TOUR’s leader in the all-around and bogey avoidance is 5-for-5 here with top 15s in the last two. Led SHO in GIR en route to T10; sixth top 10 of 2016.
It’s time. The TOUR’s leader in the all-around and bogey avoidance is 5-for-5 here with top 15s in the last two. Led SHO in GIR en route to T10; sixth top 10 of 2016.

2		Jason Day	The last winner of a major (2015 PGA) has added four titles since, including in his last two starts. Solo third here in 2013. Seventh in the all-around, first in the OWGR.
The last winner of a major (2015 PGA) has added four titles since, including in his last two starts. Solo third here in 2013. Seventh in the all-around, first in the OWGR.

3		Adam Scott	Rested since pool-play knockout at Match Play. Only a month removed from T2-1st-1st blitz. Winner here in 2013. Among TOUR leaders in too many categories to list.
Rested since pool-play knockout at Match Play. Only a month removed from T2-1st-1st blitz. Winner here in 2013. Among TOUR leaders in too many categories to list.

4		Rory McIlroy	Making his second attempt at achieving the Career Grand Slam. Sparkling record here including a personal-best fourth last year. Already his eighth appearance.
Making his second attempt at achieving the Career Grand Slam. Sparkling record here including a personal-best fourth last year. Already his eighth appearance.

5		Jordan Spieth	The defending champ won by four despite dropping 10 shots. Ranked T2 in greens hit and first in putts per GIR. Can afford to spray it a bit, but arrives misfiring slightly.
The defending champ won by four despite dropping 10 shots. Ranked T2 in greens hit and first in putts per GIR. Can afford to spray it a bit, but arrives misfiring slightly.

6		Phil Mickelson	Three-time winner has a total of 11 top fives at Augusta National. As hoped with a new swing coach, he’s also opened 2016 with three top fives and another three top 20s.
Three-time winner has a total of 11 top fives at Augusta National. As hoped with a new swing coach, he’s also opened 2016 with three top fives and another three top 20s.

7		Bubba Watson	Won last two editions in even-numbered years; one other top 35 (T20, 2008). Won NTO in Feb.; second at Doral a month ago. Paces TOUR in stroke gained: tee-to-green.
Won last two editions in even-numbered years; one other top 35 (T20, 2008). Won NTO in Feb.; second at Doral a month ago. Paces TOUR in stroke gained: tee-to-green.

8		Justin Rose	Perfect in 10 tries with three top fives. Top 25s in last six. Personal-best co-runner-up last year was aided by field-low-tying 26 putts in third-round 67. Four top 20s in 2016.
Perfect in 10 tries with three top fives. Top 25s in last six. Personal-best co-runner-up last year was aided by field-low-tying 26 putts in third-round 67. Four top 20s in 2016.

9		Henrik Stenson	Peaking yet again to become Sweden’s first major champion, but he’s gone 10 starts here without a top 10, although top 20s in last three. A statistical monster.
Peaking yet again to become Sweden’s first major champion, but he’s gone 10 starts here without a top 10, although top 20s in last three. A statistical monster.

10		Dustin Johnson	Epitome of learning curve. T6 last year only top 10 in six tries. Terrific form upon arrival: top fives in three of last four starts. Leads TOUR in birdies-or-better percentage.
Epitome of learning curve. T6 last year only top 10 in six tries. Terrific form upon arrival: top fives in three of last four starts. Leads TOUR in birdies-or-better percentage.

11		Hideki Matsuyama	Gives Japan its best chance to win its first major. Fifth appearance, third as a pro. Polished a solo fifth last year with a bogey-free 66. Won WMPO two months ago.
Gives Japan its best chance to win its first major. Fifth appearance, third as a pro. Polished a solo fifth last year with a bogey-free 66. Won WMPO two months ago.

12		Patrick Reed	Just the third trip for the Augusta University product; T22 last year. Form has been on point for months; top 10s in last three starts. Third on TOUR in scrambling.
Just the third trip for the Augusta University product; T22 last year. Form has been on point for months; top 10s in last three starts. Third on TOUR in scrambling.

13		Louis Oosthuizen	Since playoff loss in 2012, he’s gone MC-25th-T19. Missed cut in Houston last week afforded additional rest. Runner-up at Match Play two weeks ago.
Since playoff loss in 2012, he’s gone MC-25th-T19. Missed cut in Houston last week afforded additional rest. Runner-up at Match Play two weeks ago.

14		Charl Schwartzel	Poised to record his best finish since breaking through here in 2011. Superb start to 2016 after two-month respite. Two wins worldwide and another three top 20s.
Poised to record his best finish since breaking through here in 2011. Superb start to 2016 after two-month respite. Two wins worldwide and another three top 20s.

15		Bill Haas	No top 10s in 25 starts in majors, but he’s 6-for-6 here with top 20s in last three editions. More recently, he lost in a playoff at Copperhead; survived round robin at Match Play.
No top 10s in 25 starts in majors, but he’s 6-for-6 here with top 20s in last three editions. More recently, he lost in a playoff at Copperhead; survived round robin at Match Play.

16		Sergio Garcia	In his 18th consecutive appearance; top 20s in three of last four. Top 20s in four of six starts in 2016, including solo second at Honda. Needs his putter to cooperate.
In his 18th consecutive appearance; top 20s in three of last four. Top 20s in four of six starts in 2016, including solo second at Honda. Needs his putter to cooperate.

17		Ryan Moore	Career-best T12 last year among three top 15s in seven trips. Terrific 2016 includes top 10s in three of his last four starts. Five top 10s in nine starts this season.
Career-best T12 last year among three top 15s in seven trips. Terrific 2016 includes top 10s in three of his last four starts. Five top 10s in nine starts this season.

18		Matt Kuchar	Not contending of late, but lurking. Four top 15s this year. Top 10s at ANGC from 2012-2014. Ranks T12 on TOUR in par-5 scoring despite below-average length off tee.
Not contending of late, but lurking. Four top 15s this year. Top 10s at ANGC from 2012-2014. Ranks T12 on TOUR in par-5 scoring despite below-average length off tee.

19		Paul Casey	Rebounding from stomach illness at Match Play. Top 10s in prior two starts. Scuffled through illness last spring. Sparkling record at ANGC features bookend T6s (2004, 2015).
Rebounding from stomach illness at Match Play. Top 10s in prior two starts. Scuffled through illness last spring. Sparkling record at ANGC features bookend T6s (2004, 2015).

20		Zach Johnson	The 2007 champ added a second top 10 in 2015 (T9). Four top 15s in 2016 include solo fifth at Bay Hill. Ranks 19th in proximity; fourth in average distance of putts made.
The 2007 champ added a second top 10 in 2015 (T9). Four top 15s in 2016 include solo fifth at Bay Hill. Ranks 19th in proximity; fourth in average distance of putts made.