Bobby’s Top 10 picks to win the Masters

Ok, since so many have asked me, here is my list of Top 10 picks to win this year’s Masters.  This is my 30th Masters Tournament (broadcasting and playing) and I can never remember this many storylines and excitement leading into the tournament.

1.     Rory McIlroy 9/1

Reason to pick: Rory’s dominating performance at Bay Hill shows he’s back. That gave him his first PGA Tour title since the 2016 Tour Championship and has jumpstarted the career Grand Slam conversation again.

Cause for concern: Memories of past Masters collapses.

2.    Tiger Woods 10/1

Reason to pick: Following a runner-up at the Valspar Championship and another close call at Bay Hill that Woods currently has the game to win a fifth green jacket. Those who bet on him at 50-to-1 odds a few months ago are feeling pretty good right now.

Cause for concern: His driving and overcoming the hurdle of winning again is tough enough but doing it at a major will be extra difficult.

3.     Dustin Johnson 12/1

Reason to pick: A year ago, Johnson arrived at Augusta as the biggest Masters favorite. Provided he doesn’t fall again in his rental house, world #1 is still the man to beat.

Cause for concern: Although he finished T-4 in his last Masters start in 2016, Johnson has never seriously contended late on a Sunday in seven tries.

4.    Justin Thomas 12/1

Reason to pick: Have you seen what he’s done everywhere other than Augusta in the past 16 months? It looks like it’s just a matter of time before JT gets to No. 1 in the world—and picks up green jacket No. 1

Cause for concern: Thomas’ best Masters finish was a T-22 in 2 tries.

5.    Justin Rose 14/1

Reason to pick: It’s still hard to believe Rose didn’t win last year after seemingly seizing control on the tournament’s 67th hole. Rose, coming off consecutive top 5s at Innisbrook and Bay Hill, has been Masters runner-up two of the past three years at Augusta National, and he hasn’t finished out of the top 25 at Augusta National in a decade. He continues to be playing well going into this year’s Masters with a 3rd at Bay Hill and a T5 at Valspar.

Cause for concern: Could put too much pressure on himself.

6.    Jordan Spieth 12/1

Reason to pick: Have you seen what he’s done in his first four trips to Augusta National? After a win in 2015 that was sandwiched by two runner-ups, Spieth was everyone’s pick playing in the penultimate group on Sunday last year before posting his worst-ever round at Augusta National (75) to tumble to T-11 (still not bad).

Cause for concern: Spieth’s struggles on the greens this season have been well documented. He currently ranks 169th in strokes gained/putting, and is coming off a missed cut at the Valspar Championship.

7.    Phil Mickelson 16/1

Reason to pick: Mickelson finally ended a winless drought that was approaching five years at the WGC-Mexico Championship. His victory didn’t come out of left field. At 47, he just had the first stretch of four consecutive top-six appearances of his career.

Cause for concern: Will he best Jack Nicklaus’ mark as oldest Masters champ in history?

8.     Rickie Fowler 18/1

Reason to pick: Has the complete game now to win the Masters

Cause for concern: With all his talent and improved stats, Fowler is still stuck on four official PGA Tour wins and no majors.

9.     Jon Rahm 18/1

Reason to pick: Few possess the power and finesse needed to navigate Augusta National, but Rahm is one. And he’d like nothing more than to have one of his idols and fellow countrymen slip that green jacket on him for the first time.

Cause for concern: Rahm has been a consistent contender since turning pro—except at major championships.

10.  Brian Harman 20/1

Reason to pick: Most top 10’s of any player in 2018. Augusta favors Lefties! He’s gritty!

Cause for concern: May not have the length for Augusta, but like Zack Johnson, is a deadly wedge player. Missed the cut in 2015 in his only Masters Appearance.

The defending Champ, Sergio Garcia did not make my top 10. Congrats to Sergio and Angela on their new baby Azalea Adele! Paul Casey, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jason Day should certainly be considered, but did not make my top 10 either.