Hey Grinters!
We are a few days away from the Masters’ 2022 first tee shot! While we all wait for Tiger and Mickelson to reveal their appearance (or not) in Augusta, I’ll walk you through a few course changes. Let’s dig in!
I recently scrolled down on Eureka Earth’s timeline on Twitter and found these aerial drone images. They’ve done significant work on 35 yards enlargement of the 11th and 15th holes (White Dogwood and Firethorn). While some of us are still in shock with those amazing drone images, Augusta National may have also welcomed a return of more short grass.
The Fried Egg’s Andy Johnson reported changes to grass lines that could restore some dynamics lost as the second cut has encroached in key landing areas.
“This change could have a particularly large impact along the right sides of the corridors at Nos. 9 and 10. These areas are significant because they are bailout zones that see a lot of action. In recent years, the second cut has stopped balls from rolling through these zones and into worse and worse positions. In this way, the rough acted like a bumper on a bowling lane. Now that the bumpers have apparently been removed, the consequences should be fun to watch”
How firm and quick the course plays will determine how to open these areas are and whether or not balls can run into the pine needles. Some of the effects may be less severe due to the recent adjustments in fairways toward tees.
Top five contenders, according to ESPN
Jon Rahm
The world No. 1 has four straight top-10s at Augusta National: a tie for fifth in 2021, tie for seventh in 2020, tie for ninth in 2019, and solo fourth in 2018. Rahm announced last week that he and his wife, Kelley, are expecting their second child this summer. Last year, Rahm didn’t arrive in Augusta until the day before the first round after Kelley gave birth to their son, Kepa, the previous weekend. He finished tied for fifth. Later in the summer, he won his first major by taking the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
Collin Morikawa
Morikawa, 25, already has won two majors (the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 Open Championship), claiming both in his debut in those events. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him win a green jacket because of his stellar iron play on a course that puts a premium on second shots. He finished tied for 18th last year.
Justin Thomas
Thomas has only one top 10 in six starts at the Masters — a solo fourth in 2020. He had improved his position each year until finishing in a tie for 21st last year, after finishing 4-over par in his last two rounds combined. It should help having Mickelson’s longtime caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, on his bag this year.
Patrick Cantlay
The reigning FedEx Cup champion is undoubtedly the best player in the world who hasn’t won a major. He had back-to-back top-20 finishes at the Masters in 2019 and 2020 before missing the cut last year. Gaining strokes off the tee is a necessity at Augusta, and Cantlay ranks fifth (.692) on tour this season.
Jordan Spieth
The 2015 Masters champion was a popular pick to contend last year; he finished in a tie for third. His play has been up and down lately, but Augusta National tends to bring out his best. Spieth has a pair of runner-ups and two-thirds to go along with his Master’s victory.
With that said, we just can’t wait for The Masters to start! It is definitely our favorite Golf Tournament of all.
Let the best player win!
