It is the most wonderful time of the year! We are a few weeks away from the best golf tournament of the year, the Masters. Nothing beats the traditional look, immaculate fairways, and greens like Augusta National. The field consists of the best players in the world so expect it to be very competitive especially with the amount of talent across the PGA Tour. Is it Rory’s year to complete the Grand Slam? Will Hideki go back-to-back? Will someone come out and win their first? Lots of storylines going into the 2022 Masters and should be nothing but excitement for fans. The North6ix team has chosen their picks, here is what they chose.
Chris – Justin Thomas
A player that has been one of the best in the past 5 years, Justin Thomas is yet another favourite to win a green jacket. Thomas has not won this year but has 3 top 5s and 5 top 10s this season. He is itching closer and closer to another victory on tour. He currently ranks 4th in strokes gained at 1.8, 3rd in strokes gained tee to green at 1.75, and 2nd in scoring average at 69.6. With his best finish (4th) at the 2020 Masters, Thomas knows his way around Augusta. Expect him to contend at this year’s Masters.
Dalton – Cameron Smith
Coming off a Players Championship, Cameron Smith is another name you should look out for at Augusta. Smith has two wins this year (Players and Sentry) and has a scoring averaging 69.2 which ranks him 1st among all golfers. (theScore) Smith also ranks 4th in strokes gained putting with 1.048. (theScore) If there is one area at Augusta that players need to figure out early, it’s the putting greens. Cameron Smith is a great pick at the Masters especially with how good he’s been playing.
Jordan – Patrick Cantlay
Patrick Cantlay is another player that has caught fire over the past couple seasons. Cantlay is currently ranked #5 in the official golf rankings. The reason Cantlay is #5 is because of his putting. He is currently ranked 1st in one-putt percentage, 4th in 3-putt avoidance (1.26%), and 4th in overall putting average (1.533). In order to put that green jacket on, you need to be lights out on the putting green. If Cantley can catch fire early on the putting greens, expect him to be in the mix on Sunday.
Luke – Scottie Scheffler
The newly ranked #1 player on tour, Scheffler has been on an absolute tear for the past 5 weeks. He has won 3 of the last five events and has 6 top 10s in 12 events played in the 2021-22 season. After he won his first event, it only took him 42 days to reach #1 in the world golf rankings. That is the fastest in PGA Tour history. Scheffler finished T18 at the 2021 Masters but now having a few wins under his belt, expect him to contend for a green jacket this year.
The Masters is less than a week away and every golfer on the planet is getting ready to plant their butts on the couch starting Thursday.
The biggest question that’s not answered yet, is Tiger Woods competing in this years Masters? If Tiger plays, expect the viewership to be one of the highest in PGA Tour History!