The Masters Tournament Makes the Competitive Juices Flow Like No Other

The reason it is so difficult to predict a winner for the Masters Tournament is that no other event affects the players quite the same way.  You can hear it in their voice when they talk about the drive down the fabled Magnolia Lane.  The comments over and over about the emotions it stirs no matter how many times they have played there.

We are all aware of the fact that this would complete a career grand slam for Rory and elevating himself to the level of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods is a tremendous motivation.  We also know how good Sergio is playing and Lord knows Sergio wants it.
 
Bubba Watson also seems to rise to the occasion at the Masters and the course seems to suit his game. Can he win a third Green Jacket to go with his first two?
 
There are three players out there with some age and experience that you can’t rule out because they have tools necessary and could easily catch the Masters Magic.  They are Fred Couples, Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson, especially since Phil has won it three times already. Experience is a big advantage in these weather conditions.

I personally believe that this has to be killing Tiger Woods.  He would be the prime candidate to get caught up in the “Masters Effect.”  Nobody has more motivation to embrace it than Tiger and he certainly has the history and memories to ignite it.  The most dominate player of his era is still in there somewhere and the Masters may be trying to pull it out again.

Jack Nicklaus was the perfect example of what I’m talking about.  I do realize that Nicklaus is one of the best to ever play the game, but he is exactly what I’m talking about.  In 1986 the Tournament Players Championship was played two weeks prior to the Masters and Nicklaus failed to make the cut.
The week prior to the TPC he withdrew after the first round.  Three weeks later he arrives in Augusta and came home to the magic of the event, Magnolia Lane, and the memories of his previous five wins.  The last win had been eleven years earlier in 1975.  On that Sunday the memories and the emotions grabbed him and propelled him to a 30 on the back nine for his 6th Masters and final major.

Every year we see the competitive juices start to flow in players that have a history with Augusta and this year will certainly be no different.  Strap yourself in and hang on for the ride.

That is it from the Golf Cave for this week.  Enjoy the Masters!