Masters Preview: Can Rory McIlroy Complete the Career Grand Slam?

The Masters starts tomorrow, and it will likely be one of the best tournaments we’ll see all year-end hot take. With so many great golfers at the top of their game this season, and so many of them having had success on this course, this really is anyone’s year to win. Sure the Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth picks are definitely solid, but if you’ve watched any golf over the last 2 months you probably know that the only thing that is guaranteed is that SOMEONE will win. So here’s a look at the top picks for the 2016 Masters as well as my pick and the safest pick.

Jason Day

After winning back-to-back events at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the WGC-Dell Match Play, where he played through flu-like symptoms and a back injury, Jason Day is the clear favorite to claim the Masters this year. Day ended last season on a ridiculous run, winning four of his last seven tournaments and finishing in the top 15 in the three he didn’t win. Although he was bested by Jordan Spieth in the FedExCup, Day did grab his first major championship at the PGA. This season, Day has won two of his first six starts, and only missed the cut in one of those starts. Day is currently ranked 20th in driving distance. His putting has been on fire and he ranks third in strokes gained putting. Do not leave him off your list.

Odds – 13/2

Here’s what Day is wearing this week.

Jordan Spieth

After a blistering world tour where Jordan Spieth played extremely well and won the Hero World Challenge, he hit a bump in the road. Spieth finished tied for 21st at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, missed the cut at the Northern Trust Open, and then finished outside of the top 15 in his next two events. He appeared to bounce back at the WGC-Caddilac Championship where he finished tied for ninth and then put in a very good performance at the Shell Houston Open where he finished tied for 13th. The main take away from the Houston Open is that Spieth had his putter going early on Sunday. He made five birdies through his first seven holes on the front nine on Sunday and then faultered a little on the back with two bogeys and a double on the 18th. If his putter is on, he’s going to be in the hunt on Sunday.

Odds – 17/2

Here’s what Jordan is wearing this week.

Rory McIlroy

Rory skipped the par-3 contest this year to focus. It’s clear that he’s ready to finish off his career grand slam and collect a green jacket. In a practice round, Rory aced the par-3 16th hole. If that is a sign of things to come, it could finally be his year. In his last four tournaments he’s had mixed results, from missing the cut at The Honda Classic to finishing third and fourth in the two WGC events. He’s currently seventh overall in strokes gained tee-to-green, so if he can continue that this week without making mistakes, he can join Jack, Tiger, Hogan, Player, and Sarazen on the list of modern era grand slam winners.

Odds – 9/1

Here’s what Rory is wearing this week.

Adam Scott

Adam Scott’s switch from belly putter to traditional was the talk of the town coming into this season, but the Aussie quickly shut that up. With a tie for second at the Northern Trust Open, followed by back-to-back wins at The Honda Classic and WGC-Caddilac Championship, Scott has proven he is on his game. He also turned in a solid performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational finishing tied for 12th. He ranks second in strokes gained tee-to-green, 11th in driving distance, seventh in greens in regulation, and first in strokes gained total. He’s the second best golfer on the planet right now behind only Jason Day, and that’s only because Day has won so much recently. Before his back-to-back wins this season, Scott hadn’t won since the the Crowne Plaza Invitational in 2014. He already has a green jacket and knows what it takes to bring it home on Sunday. The biggest questionmark for Scott is whether or not placing Steve Williams on the bag for the Masters this year will work out for him. Williams hasn’t looped for Scott in a while and that could be an issue, although the two have had plenty of success together.

Odds – 12/1

Bubba Watson

If you’re unsure of who to pick to win the Masters this year because there are so many guys playing great golf, just settle on Bubba Watson. While he’s not the most loved guy on Tour, he already has two green jackets and the course suits his game like a glove. Watson does have two wins this season, the Hero World Challenge and the Northern Trust Open. He also finished second at the WGC-Caddilac. He is fourth in driving distance and FIRST in strokes gained tee-to-green. The guy can flat out play and he could very easily get hot and take away a third Masters trophy.

Odds – 12/1

Dustin Johnson

Will this be Dustin Johnson’s first major tournament win? It very well could be. Johnson hasn’t won this year, but has finished in the top five in three of his last four tournaments. He is coming off of a great performance at the Shell Houston Open, minus a few slip ups, where he finished alone in third place. He’s a combined 36-under in the first two rounds of his last seven majors, which is 10 strokes better than anyone else. Johnson finished tied for sixth in the 2015 Masters, almost won the U.S. Open, and finished tied for seventh at the PGA Championship. It’s only a matter of time before he holds up a trophy on Sunday at a major championship.

Odds – 15/1

Here’s what DJ is wearing this week.

Phil Mickelson

You can never count out Lefty, and he seems to have found something in his game that’s been missing for the last few years. Phil almost won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and finished fifth in the WGC-Caddilac. He also turned in four rounds under par at the Shell Houston Open last week and barring a double bogey on the sixth on Friday and a triple bogey on the sixth hole on Saturday, he could have been at the top of the leaderboard.

This stat pretty much sums up the Masters for Phil.

Odds – 15/1

Rickie Fowler

Can Rickie Fowler FINALLY win a major? Fowler has won four tournaments over the last two years, two on the PGA Tour and two on the European Tour, but has yet to claim a major championship that would propel him into much more elite golf company. In 2014, Fowler seemed to be right on the cusp of graduating into big boy status; he finished tied for fifth at the Masters, tied for second at both the U.S. Open and Open Championship, and tied for third at the PGA Championship. His recent work with Butch Harmon as his coach shows drastic improvement in his game. His driving distance has climbed from a 286 yard average in 2013 to just over 300 yards in 2016. The most improved area for Fowler though has been his ability to hit greens in regulation, therefore giving himself a lot more chances at low numbers.

The forecast also shows strong winds the first three days, with gusts up to 20 mph which could suit Rickie’s game since he likes playing in the wind.

Odds – 15/1

Here’s what Fowler is wearing this week.

Henrik Stenson

Stenson is definitely a guy who could be overlooked coming into this Masters. He’s one of the best players on Tour that hasn’t won a major and he turned in a very good performance last week at the Shell Houston Open where he was just one stroke away from a playoff with eventual winner Jim Herman.

Odds – 25/1

Justin Rose

Rose is a major champion. He won the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion. He’s won a tournament every year since 2010 when he won two. He’s finished in the top 10 in three of the seven PGA events he’s played in this season. Not to mention he finished second behind Jordan Spieth at the 2015 Masters.

Odds – 28/1

Louis Oosthuizen

He missed the cut at the Shell Houston Open last week, but he was trending in the right direction until that point. He’s finished as high as second at Augusta and is coming off of a solid season in 2015 where he finished in the top two at the U.S. Open and Open Championship. He’s a solid all around player who could easily turn in a good performance.

Odds – 28/1

Charl Schwartzel

Schwartzel already has a green jacket that he won in 2011. He’s also got a win under his belt this season. His last few finishes at the Masters have been up and down, and none higher than a tie for 25th.

Odds – 28/1

Bryson DeChambeau

If DeChambeau, who has to play as an amateur in order to even play in the event this year, can manage to pull off the improbable, he would become first ever amateur win the Masters. His unique approach to the game has been well discussed and while it’s not for everyone, it seems to have worked for him up to this point.

My Pick

I’m rolling with Dustin Johnson this year. I wavered between Jason Day and DJ for a while and then considered picking Bubba Watson, but I think DJ is ready. He’s played well enough coming into the Masters this year that he can get it done as long as he can control himself heading into the weekend.

Safe Pick

Bubba Watson. He’s already won twice. The course suits him.