The Masters - Winners and Shockers

By Gary Lloyd
Love of Sports Correspondent

I played golf in high school. Along with the guys I played with, it was a very solid team – a state title contending team. We all had a lot of fun playing each and everyday.

But watching golf? Not so much.

I love what golf is all about, but there’s no way someone can get me to watch the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in May. The same goes for the Stanford St. Jude Championship in June, a week before the U.S. Open. I figured that tournament would be in California (Stanford was my clue), but it’s actually played Memphis, Tennessee. Who knew?

However, the Masters is much different for me.

I can sit and watch every bit of live coverage the four days in which this tournament is played each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Some of the best moments in golf have happened at this tournament. Jack Nicklaus won his sixth Masters in 1986 in dramatic fashion, with a final round 66. Tiger Woods, at the age of 21, dominated the field in 1997 for a 12-stroke victory. How about Phil Mickelson in 2004? We all remember when that putt dropped and Phil jumped the highest he probably ever has in his life.

Most recently, that improbable chip in on No. 16 at the 2005 Masters by none other than Tiger. The chip that took 16 seconds from impact until birdie was instrumental in his run to a playoff in which he’d defeat Chris DiMarco.

So, what will the 2008 Masters bring to the table?

Low amateur: This might be a little biased since I’m a student at Alabama, and so is he, but I’m going with Michael Thompson as my amateur of the week. Thompson ended up at Bama after leaving Tulane after Hurricane Katrina. He’s propelled the Tide to national prominence, and I think he’ll represent the university well. He was the 2007 U.S. Amateur runner-up, and I think he’ll edge out Trip Kuehne (who’s walking away from golf after the Masters, by the way) and Drew Weaver (Virginia Tech player who won the 2007 British Amateur Championship) for low amateur honors.

Player who will disappoint: He’s never won a major, but he seems to be in the mix until late on the weekends – Sergio Garcia. Last year at this tournament, Sergio shot 76 and 78 and didn’t even make the cut. He’s made five cuts in all five tournaments he’s played in this year, but I think that perfect percentage may take a hit this week.

Player who will surprise: Tim Clark’s played well as of late at the Masters. In 2007, he finished in a tie for 13th. In 2006, he finished second to Mickelson. So far in 2008, he missed the cut in his first three events. However, in his most recent four, he’s made the weekend in all of them. He’s a player not many people talk about until he’s close to the lead on the weekend, and I think he’ll continue to be a dark horse this time around.

Final Thoughts: In any tournament, and especially the Masters, it’s imperative that players are long and straight off the tee. Playing the ball straight is probably a little more important since more trees have been added over the years (bunkers too). Putting’s where the money is made at the Masters. The bent grass will be rolling very fast as one could imagine, so running the ball by the hole and leaving long comeback putts is a no no. For me, experience is what it really comes down to here. The players who have been in close matches here before should rise to the top, as usual.

My predicted top five and winner

Stuart Appleby has made six cuts in 2008. In five of those tournaments, he’s finished in the Top 10. He’s also finished in the Top 20 and Top 10 in his previous two years at the Masters, so I think he has a good chance of winning it this year.

Tim Clark was my pick for surprise player in this year’s field, and I don’t think he’ll disappoint. With back-to-back Top 15 finishes at the Masters, he’s poised to make a run for the Green Jacket. He’s accurate off the tee, and that’ll be key for him to have a chance at winning.

Retief Goosen is just a gamer. In 2008, he’s ranked fairly low in driving accuracy and putting, but he always seems to play well in major tournaments. He tied for second last year and should rise to the top yet again.

Adam Scott is one of those young players that’s often talked about to be the next to win a major. In the past two years, he’s finished in ties for 27th and 35th at the Masters. As a young player on the big stage, he seems to fall off the map with one or two bad rounds. In 2008, though, he’s finished in the Top 20 in all three events he’s played on Tour and will continue that streak at Augusta.

Finally, did you really think I wasn’t going to mention Tiger Woods? He’s first on the money list, greens in regulation, putting and birdies per round in 2008. His driving accuracy is sitting at just 56%, but has that ever hindered his ability to dominate a tournament?

It won’t phase him at the Masters this week, as he’ll once again play in the final group on Sunday and win the Green Jacket for the fifth time.