The Masters: Will past champs rise to the occasion?

With only 87 players qualifying for this year’s Masters, it’s one of the smallest fields in recent memory. How is it that an aging golfer who has rarely played in the Masters in recent years is the odds-on pick by many to win? That’s the question around Tiger Woods, who finally returns to Augusta healthy and prepared to do battle on the course that has witnessed several of his career milestones. But he’s not alone—Augusta has special vibes for a number of players who’ve had great success there in the past. And who is to say that a newcomer won’t pull it off?

Here’s Golf Town’s list of those to watch at Augusta. 

Past Champs: Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson

It will be six years since Tiger battled for the lead at the Masters, but can anyone count a healthy Woods out at Augusta? The same goes for many past winners. Spieth comes into the event with a spotty success ratio this season, but always seems to find a way to pull it off on the big stage. If his putter is back, expect Jordan to be a force.

 And what about Phil? He has three green jackets, but the last one came in 2010. He’s hitting it as long as anyone, and he has the imagination to try shots few have the guts to attempt. But his last chance to win came in 2015—and perhaps time, and Augusta, has passed him by.

Bubba has two wins—and a tie for fifth last year. Similar to Phil, his ability to dream up seemingly impossible shots has few rivals, and it is hard to look past his mix of length and experience when it comes to Augusta National.

Bubba Watson during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Those without a win: Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day

Big hitters always seem to have a great chance at Augusta. How is it possible that none of these three have won a Masters yet? Many pick Johnson as the favourite heading into the Masters, but McIlroy may be hitting the ball as well as anyone, and Jason Day started the year strongly and would appear to have the right mix of length and ability with a putter to pull it off.

Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth during the third round of the 2018 Masters Tournament. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Canadians

Corey Conners punched his ticket to Augusta after earning his first career PGA Tour victory Sunday at the Valero Texas Open. It will be his first time competing in the Masters as a professional – he previously played in 2015 as an amateur but missed the cut. He’s joined by 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir. His game has improved lately, but he’ll have to play exceptionally well to make the cut.

(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
Dark Horse: Tony Finau

He’s 15th in the world, so the big-hitting Finau, who started his pro career in Canada, doesn’t seem like a long shot. He’s not, truthfully, but the big-hitting Finau has a game that would appear to work well at Augusta. He tied for 10th last year in his first time at the Masters, despite dislocating his ankle while celebrating an ace on the Par 3 Contest. Expect another good performance this year.

Tony Finau rolls his ankle as he celebrates his hole-in-one on the seventh hole during the Par 3 Contest prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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