To say 2020 has been unlike any in living memory would be an understatement! And as if to put an exclamation point on that from a golfing point of view, we are about to enjoy back to back Masters tournaments for the first time in history. The winner of the 2020 Masters will quite possibly have the shortest reign in history unless he goes back to back of course! What is usually the first major of the year is going to round off the strangest of golfing years.
It feels a little like the Masters has crept up on us this year, there hasn’t been the anticipation that usually accompanies the first major of the year. However, as we are currently in a second national lockdown in the UK due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament could not have come at a better time. Here at Nine Hole Golf, we have put together a little Masters preview to get your ready for what promises to be a unique event!
What are the key holes?
As Butch Harmon would say, “it all starts on the back nine on Sunday”! Now not one to argue with Butch but for me, I believe the crucial run of holes starts with the 15th or Firethorn as it is called. Why is this the key hole and not Golden Bell (the 12th) or Azalea (the 13th)? Well, the 15th is the stunning Par 5 and with water across the front of the green, it can create amazing drama.
You only need to look at what happened in 2017 when Sergio pulled himself back into contention to see the pivotal nature of the hole. The 15th starts the closing stretch and can swing the tournament in your favour! With the conditions expected to make the course play longer, this Par 5 takes on added significance.
It is going to feel very different
The lack of patrons at the year’s Masters tournament is going to make for a very different tournament. One of the elements that makes the tournament so special is the roars that follow amazing shots. The fact that they can be heard around the course only adds to the drama and the pressure on the players. Even watching on TV, you get excited when you hear a roar as you know something special has happened. It will be interesting to see how the lack of atmosphere affects the players and also the spectacle on TV.
A word or two on Rory
At Nine Hole Golf we are MASSIVE Rory McIlroy fans, I even tried to name my first son after the four-time major winner. I would love Rory to win the green jacket and end his major drought by completing the career grand slam. However, I would say his chances are slim at best. He has been well short of his best since the restart and without fans to pump him up, I can’t see him raising his game to the levels needed to compete.
Three picks to win the 2020 Masters
So if Rory isn’t going to win it, who might? Well, the conditions are expected to make the course longer, therefore distance off the tee will be an advantage. However, as Tiger showed last year, distance isn’t everything. Here are three players who might be donning the Green Jacket come Sunday evening.
Justin Thomas
The world number 3 finished second last year behind a resurgent Tiger Woods and is one of the best iron players in the game. He is a big-time player, as shown in recent Ryder Cups, and is also a great putter. He has finished 8th, 12th, and 2nd in his last three starts and is due another Major victory.
Xander Schauffele
Like JT, Xander has had some good finishes since the restart, with a T-10th at the USPGA and a 5th at the US Open. Everyone agrees that he has the game and temperament to win a major but so far has struggled to get over the line. He finished one stroke behind Tiger last year, so knows how to play Augusta.
Tyrrell Hatton
Would a hoody look good under the Green Jacket? A lot has been written about his attire when winning the BMW PGA last month, however, the manner of his victory suggests a maiden major victory is not far away. Factor in his win at Bay Hill earlier this year and a good finish at the Houston Open and maybe this is Tyrrells year?
So those are my picks, please don’t blame me if you put money on them and they all miss the cut! I hope you enjoy what promises to be a truly unique Master tournament and a fitting end to a crazy year!
Toby
Nine Hole Golf 