As the Masters begins on Thursday, PGA Tour golf for the third straight year is enjoying the sort of fascinating storylines and appealing mix of superstars it last enjoyed way back in the 1970s. This year’s tournament promises the sort of sports drama, in a breathtakingly picturesque setting, that should inspire literary takes on it worthy of John McPhee or the late John Updike.
Until McPhee steps in, a preview is very much in order. Without lyrical literature, here are the main players to watch, and why their stories right now are compelling.
Jordan Spieth: It might look odd to begin with someone who hasn’t won a tournament in nearly two years, or even notched a top-10 finish since last July. But Spieth’s early-career accomplishments (three majors by age 23), appealing faith-and-family persona, penchant for late-tourney dramatics, and bizarre recent struggles combine to earn a spotlight. Oh, and there’s his actual record at Augusta National in the five years he has played: Second, first, second, 11th, and third. If there are horses for courses, Spieth is a Masters steed indeed.
Tiger Woods: First, he’s Tiger. Second, he’s Tiger at Augusta, where he has won four times. Third, he’s playing well, making it to the final hole of the quarterfinals of the grueling match play championship last month. Fourth, he’s clearly on the prowl again, having won the Tour Championship last fall after finishing sixth at the British Open and second at the PGA.
Phil Mickelson: Also a three-time winner at Augusta, he notched a second-place finish and a win earlier this year when he played courses with wide landing areas. Still a threat.
Brooks Koepka: This workout monster gets less attention than should be humanly possible for a guy who has won three of the last six majors in which he teed up. He’s a nerveless big-game hunter, still looking for the trophy that will finally bring with it some public acclaim.
Justin Rose: This quiet man is merely the world’s top-ranked player, and a former U.S. Open and Olympic champion. At Augusta he has two seconds, a fifth, an eighth, a 10th, an 11th, and a 12th in 13 starts.
Rory McIlroy: He lacks only a Masters to complete the career grand slam, and has played brilliantly all year, with a win and six other top 10s in his most recent seven tourneys.
Dustin Johnson: He looks like actor Bradley Cooper and is engaged to internet sensation Paulina Gretzky. He is ranked second in the world; and the only five players who won PGA Tour titles in more consecutive years than his 12 (and counting) are named Nicklaus, Palmer, Casper, Woods, and Trevino. Two years ago he seemed on course to dominate the game like they did, until he hurt his back falling down stairs during Masters week. He thinks the place owes him now.
Rickie Fowler: He looks like actor Leonardo DiCaprio and is engaged to internet sensation Allison Stokke. The player of perpetual potential, a favorite of Jack Nicklaus, he was edged at Augusta last year by edgy Patrick Reed by just one stroke, and probably thinks the place owes him.
Justin Thomas: Just 18 months ago, he was the wunderkind who won five tourneys, including the PGA, and was ranked world No.1 at age 24.
Jason Day: Just four years ago, he was the wunderkind who won five tourneys, including the PGA, and was ranked world number one.
Sergio Garcia: He finally won a major, right here, two years ago. He’s hot this year, with three top-10s in his last five tourneys. Plus, he’s just Sergio, which means drama follows him everywhere.
So there’s a top ten-plus-one extra for you, without even listing defending champ Reed, hot-as-blazes British Open champ Francisco Molinari, weird-science dude Bryson DeChambeau, Spanish hothead Jon Rahm, the Tokyo assassin named Hideki Matsuyama, the streaky, Jesus-faced Tommy Fleetwood, steady Matt Kuchar, or free-spirited two-time champ Bubba Watson.
For the third straight year, therefore, the Masters begins with more potential Hall of Famers all playing well than the game has seen in more than 40 years. Somewhere, Bobby Jones is smiling, and O.B. Keeler stands by to turn the smile into literary gold.
