Hello friends (he says, channeling his inner Jim Nantz),

The Masters is upon us, and a few lucky lads are already out there swinging the sticks at Augusta National as we speak. Including Max Homa. I like Max Homa.

This is the most prestigious and coveted Major Championship in the sport.

To me, it’s not close. To the Brits across the pond, perhaps it’s close. To Brandel Chamblee who suggested The PLAYERS championship is not only a major, but by all measures of yada yada yada, the BEST major… idk what it is to him to be honest.

But to the masses and to me, The Masters is it. Number 1. Unmatched. Here are a few thoughts, and a few picks for this year’s Masters.

The Masters has brought us so much.

Redemptive stories for the game’s greatest in Tiger and Rory. Tiger in 2019 winning his 5th Masters Tournament, his first in 14 years. Then Rory last year, his first Masters victory in his 17th go to become the 6th career Grand Slam champion.

It’s also brought devastating heartbreak. Even just last year, Bryson had what you could call a mini collapse. In 2016, Jordan Spieth held a 5-stroke lead ON THE SECOND NINE (they call it that here for whatever reason), AND LOST. He approached the 12th tee with just a 3-stroke lead, then proceeded to lose his ball in the water twice, carding a 7 (+4) on the Par-3.

He tied for 2nd. Brutal.

But when you win the Masters (as Spieth had the year before), you’re invited into something special in a way that just doesn’t exist for other events. You become an honorary member of the exclusive club, a part of the brotherhood. There’s a lore about this place that you just don’t find elsewhere. Exclusive member list, invite only, if you ask about membership, you’re black balled (or whatever they do at Augusta). It’s fun, exclusive stuff.

So who will be slipping on that coveted green jacket this year?

Here are my picks — candidly, these are just the guys I’d LIKE to see win who also have a decent shot. Oddsmakers don’t love Jake Knapp. That’s fine, I do. Here you go:

Of these picks, Scottie would be the only repeat winner. The others would be wearing the green jacket for the first time.

Why do I want to see Scottie win? I’m not tired of his dominance, especially since he’s only won once this year. I want to see Tiger-like stuff in this era. Tiger was stringing off 6, 7, 8, 9-win seasons. I feel like Scottie is the only one capable of that, and I want to see it. I want to watch greatness. He and Meredith and Bennett and new baby boy are just precious. He seems like a normal guy to his friends. He loves Jesus. Thanks Scottie.

Cam Young and Jake Knapp are both so capable of going low on any given round, but they can be streaky. Knapp is playing like a top-10 player on tour, Cam Young even better.

Fleetwood is my golden boy, as is his son Frankie. I just love to see him win. He's kind and chill and wears cool stuff and he has great hair and he’s great at golf. He’s the best player ever to only have won once on Tour.

DeChambeau is just a riot. I would love to see him win it, especially after a heartbreaker last year having the lead on Sunday and squandering it bad. He’s truly the only LIV guy I’d like to see win. Golf’s greatest character arc of our generation at least.

Hoping for fireworks this weekend.

It’s going to be a fantastic next few days. Try to get some work done today and tomorrow, will ya?

Cheers,

Luke Mangan
On Golf