Masters 2013: Vision’s predictions

Although the youngest of all golf’s majors, it is fair to say that the Masters is perhaps the most special. Whether it’s the spectacular Augusta setting or that green jacket, it is the one everyone wants. Tiger Woods is back on top of the world rankings and goes into his quest for a fifth title as favourite. Rory McIlroy, the man he usurped as number one will also be right up there, and a Sunday duel between the two is one a lot of the golfing world would love to see. Here, Vision‘s sports team have made a few predictions about who is going to be wearing that green jacket come Sunday night, and we’ve tried to stay away from the two hot favourites.

Michael Thurloway – Sports Editor

Winner: Louis Oosthuizen
Everybody remembers Tiger’s chip on the 16th, on his way to winning in 2005. Last year, Oosthuizen provided another iconic moment as he became the first man ever to card an albatross on the 2nd. Yet he succumbed to an agonising play-off defeat to Bubba Watson, meaning his albatross was merely a ‘great shot,’ and not a Masters winning one. The 2010 Open champion had never made the cut at Augusta until last year, but now he seems to have cracked the course. Don’t expect him to relinquish a lead again this year.

One to watch: Phil Mickelson
It seems strange to regard Mickelson as a ‘one to watch.’ The three-time former champion, affectionately known as ‘Lefty,’ isn’t the player he once was, and comes into this year’s event in average form. Yet he has finished in the top 10 at the Masters 14 times, including 12 of the last 14 events. He is the king of Augusta National, and is certain to be up there again. He has come to Augusta in bad form before, but he always manages to be up there. Don’t be surprised if, come Sunday, Lefty walks away with his fourth green jacket.

Alex Finnis – Online Editor

Winner: Matt Kuchar
Americans have dominated the Masters since the turn of the century, and as much as we’d all like to see Lee Westwood or Ian Poulter take the green jacket, I wouldn’t bet against anything different this time around. Kuchar’s had a solid year, finishing level par or better in every tournament he’s played in 2013 and winning the WGC Match Play in February, and after finishing third at Augusta last year, he could well go all the way this time. He’s been sniffing around the top 10 in major tournaments for the last few years now, and looks a great bet for a few big ones over the course of his career – the biggest could be his first.

One to watch: Keegan Bradley
His long game suits Augusta well, he’s coming into the tournament on good form, having finished in the top 10 in his last three tournaments, including a tie for third at the Arnold Palmer invitational, he’s won a major before… and he’s American. All this adds up to suggest the Keegan Bradley is in with a pretty good shout over the next four days. so long as he can handle Augusta’s notorious greens.

Jack Bradshaw – Online Editor

Winner: Adam Scott
Famously denied in last year’s Open by a dramatic final day collapse, the Australian will be determined to shake off his unfortunate “nearly man” tag and claim a first major. Scott has always had a fondness for the Augusta course, finishing ninth as a fresh faced 21-year-old in 2002 and in recent years his form has been nothing short of excellent, finishing runner-up in 2011 and eighth last year. His putting is (almost) always rock solid and the judgement of the world number 7 will be crucial in dealing with the super-fast greens. Will Augusta feel the thunder from down under?

One to watch: Rickie Fowler
Like Scott, Fowler is supremely talented but often lacks the mental strength to get over the winning line. In a number of recent majors, he has been within sight of the lead, only to blow his chances going into the final round. However, the 24-year-old has never missed the cut at the Masters and will take confidence from breaking into the world’s top 25 last year. This tournament may have come at the right time for the young American.

James Scott – Sports Editor

Winner: Justin Rose
If recent majors have taught us anything it’s that that the ‘big’ names, whether it be Woods, McIlroy or even Phil Mickelson are unlikely to come out on top (although this is by no means impossible). I, like many others, fancy Justin Rose for the title. He’s reaching the peak of his career and has been steadily been building momentum for a number of years, scoring his biggest win so far last year by winning his first world golf championship event and reaching a career high of number 3 in the world, everything seems to be clicking into gear, it may be his time.

One to watch: Matt Kuchar
My second choice would be Matt Kuchar, he had a great showing here last year and was in pretty good form all of last season. There are questions whether he is quite good enough to take it to the next level and win his first major, but all the elements are there for a great showing, and like Rose if they all click together we could be looking at the champion.

Kris Siva – men’s first team hockey

Winner:Luke Donald
Despite missing the halfway cut for the first time ever in his career at the Maylasian Open, a dip in form may be the catalyst to spur him on and see him pick up his first Green Jacket. As a former world number one you feel he’s due a major. He’s always under the radar, putts well and is quite efficient through the holes. Added bonus of him being an Old Boy of my school means I’m not biased at all!

One to watch: Bubba Watson
The obvious shouts would be both Tiger and Rory with Woods hitting his best form perfectly. Rory needs a solid Masters performance after previous shambles, but I’ll go for Bubba again making it two in two years – provided the crazy trousers come out!