Good afternoon Amateur Hour Family. Before I begin, I just want to say thank you for the massive outpours of support you guys have shown us in the first couple months of this podcast. Today will be my debut blog post, and what better week to make my debut than Masters’ Week! As one of the co-hosts, you have heard my voice plenty, but now it is time to also provide you guys some more thorough weekly content. Without further ado…

All week you will be looking at Power Rankings from various media outlets that aim to predict the players most poised for success at Augusta. These supposed “experts” will most likely keep inserting the same 10-12 names in some order and act like their word is stone. Let’s be honest—these guys are almost never right, and many times they are not even remotely close. I’m here to give you guys a more unique Power Ranking of sorts. Of the 87 golfers in this week’s field at Augusta, 20 of those 87 men have previously thrown on the greatest jacket of all jackets. 20 men of the 87 in the field can truly say that they are a Masters Champion. I will be ranking all 20 former Jacket Winners and telling you which men have a realistic chance of adding to their collection. As always, I promise to keep it real, and offer no apologies for any bluntness.

 

1. Jordan Spieth

Just when people wanted to write the Golden Child off for this week he goes T3 in Houston. In four starts at the Masters, he has never finished worse than 11^th and was a nightmare hole away from having two jackets in four starts. The frontrunner, bar none.

2. Phil Mickelson

Golf’s greatest showman has had an incredible start to 2018, at a time when many talking heads wanted to write him off. The W in Mexico City gave him the confidence he needed, and he comes in off 21 birdies in Houston last week. Driver is always the concern, but a 4^th Jacket for Lefty is certainly within the realm of possibilities.

3. Adam Scott

I am admittedly much higher on Scotty than most. He showed a lot of positives his last couple starts, and his game has always suited Augusta. The putter is always the concern, but his ball-striking alone makes him a legitimate contender this week.

4. Sergio Garcia

The defending champ comes in fresh off the birth of his first-born who he named Azalea, after the 13^th hole. He showed flashes of strong play in Austin. Hard to see a back-to-back, but Serg will do what he does and will be a factor on the weekend.

5. Tiger Woods

The biggest storyline of the tournament, and it’s not too close. A dream start to 2018 has Tiger lovers drooling heading into this week. I predict he will play well, but he’s not quite ready to contend at a Major Championship.

6. Bubba Watson

Will be as trendy a pick as there is this week. I’m in the minority, but I just don’t see it. Leading candidate for comeback player of the year, but ANGC is a different animal. I foresee some big numbers on the scorecard and plenty of animated reactions.

7. Charl Schwartzel

Horse for the course. Solo third last year, and always dangerous when he tees it up in a major Championship.

8. Zach Johnson

Never, ever count out ZJ. The game’s ultimate grinder will fly under many radars this week, but that is often where he is at his very best.

9. Fred Couples

The one old boy in the field that I will give a slight pulse at contention. Very few love Augusta like Freddy loves Augusta.

10. Danny Willett

If there was ever such a thing as a Green Jacket curse, then Danny would be the poster boy. I would consider a made cut a success given how bad D-Willy has been of late.

11. Angel Cabrera

One of the good guys. As clutch as they come. Sadly, still predict an MC next to Angel’s name come Friday evening.

12. Vijay Singh

A legend of the game. Still grinding as hard as ever in his 50’s. Vijay will hit some big time shots this week, but hard to envision sustained success.

13. Bernhard Langer

Bernhard has been absolutely tearing up the Champions Tour. Was in the mix on Sunday in 2016. This week I predict a made cut, but not much more. 

14. Trevor Immelman

I would not be shocked if there are some South Africans in the mix this week. Trevor will not be one of them.

15. Mike Weir

Mr. Weir delivered one of the more shocking Masters’ wins some 15 years ago. This year, a made cut would feel like a Super Bowl for Mike.

16. Larry Mize

Good ole Larry will enjoy the magnolias and smile every time he makes his way down the fairway. Just being there is plenty for Mizer.

17. Jose Maria Olazabal

One of the great European Ryder Cup Captains tees it up this week thanks to his wins in 1994 and 1999. Jose adding a third jacket would be a bigger shock than Average Joe’s Gymnasium upsetting Globo Gym.

18. Sandy Lyle

Sandy’s name could be the subject of many puns this weekend, as he will almost certainly find more bunkers than he does fairways.

19. Mark O’Meara

Sometimes age isn’t just a number. Sorry Mark, it ain’t happening this week.

20. Ian Woosnam

I will never eat a slice of pizza the rest of my life if Ian Woosnam wins the 2018 Masters. I fricken love pizza.

 

Happy Augusta week and thanks for tuning in folks! More content to come. Cheers!