Who is fit for a green jacket? Here’s an attempt to handicap the field.
1. Phil Mickelson (11-under) – Augusta National speaks to Lefty’s gambling instincts like no other course in the world. It also suits his creativity around the greens — a unique gift that even Tiger can’t match. This is Mickelson’s tournament to win. His family is with him on tour for the first time in 11 months. This is his happy place. Odds: 35 percent chance.
2. Tiger Woods (8-under) – In round three, his head was down and his swing was awry, but the world’s greatest golfer is also the world’s greatest grinder (no pun intended), so he figured it out on the fly and birdied four of the last six holes to stay alive. Yes, he’s never come from behind to win a major, but do you really want to bet against him? Odds: 30 percent chance.
3. Lee Westwood (12-under) – A lot of pressure for a player who has never won a major. His game and his putting stroke are there, and he kept it together when bombs were dropping all around him Saturday. But given his lack of success at Augusta and Mickelson’s history of it, it’s hard to see him matching Lefty in the final twosome. Odds: 25 percent chance.
4. Fred Couples (7-under) – If it wasn’t for his balky back, which acted up on Friday and led to a 75, where would Couples be? He shot 66 on Thursday and 68 on Saturday. If Mickelson or Westwood fails to break 70, Couples has a shot. Don’t doubt that he can’t fire another 66. If he wakes up Sunday and his back feels right, he can win, especially on this course, provided that none of the leaders go low. Odds: 6 percent chance.
5. K.J. Choi (8-under) – Last August at the PGA, Y.E. Yang beat Choi in becoming the first Asian to win a major championship. Now can Choi make it two in a row for South Korea? He’s benefited from playing in the shadow of Tiger Woods. Now he gets him as a playing partner for the fourth straight day. Odds: 4 percent chance.
