Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.
Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.
Who wins the Drive, Chip and Putt?
“Tiger Woods because he’s Tiger Woods.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“That’s an awesome question. Tough one, too. Well, Phil Mickelson’s dropping bombs and he can putt and chip the hell out of the ball, so if he’s hitting bombs like he says he is, I’ll take Phil.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland
“Oh, my goodness. There are so many that could win. I’m going to go with Bubba Watson, because he just wins at Augusta.” – 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott
“That’s a good one. I would have to say probably a guy like Jon Rahm. He drives it quite well, he chips and putts quite well. Obviously Rory would have a good chance. Dustin Johnson, Brooks would be right there. I’d go with one of those guys.” – 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia
“I think I have a good shot. I have some length. I like chipping, I like putting. And I have an advantage. I’ve been in one in Orlando. I was 11.” – Tony Finau
“Ooh. That would be pretty good to see. You’ve got Rory, DJ and Brooks for the driving. I’d like my chances in the chipping and putting. You got Tiger up there, as well. A bunch of other guys. It would be interesting.” – 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett
“Jason Day would win. Because he’s long, he’s a phenomenal putter and he’s got an underrated chipping game.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson
“I’d go with Rory because he hits it so long and so straight, and he can chip and putt.” – Luke Donald
“Justin Thomas. He’s so good at all three. I mean really good.” – Nick Watney
“Me.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson
“Tiger Woods in 2000 would never get beat.” – Kevin Na
“That’s a tough one. I’d hang in there with the chip and the putt but I couldn’t hang in the driving. So I’ll go with Justin Thomas – great driver of the ball, really good chipper, very good putter.” – Brandt Snedeker
“Jason Day would be pretty good at that.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley
“Cameron Champ because he’d win the driving contest, hands down. If he would just get one good chip and putt, there’s your winner.” – Keith Mitchell
“Ooh. Bubba. He’s got great hands and he’s a great fast-green putter. And he can let it rip.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
“I’ll take Rory there. He’s long and he’s a great chipper of the ball. And when he’s putting well, he’s really good.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell
“Dustin Johnson because he’s pretty good at all of those things. He gets credit for his driving, but his chipping and putting is top drawer. And Tiger’s not exactly bad, because he’s the best touch putter we’ve seen the past 25 years.” – Paul Casey
“Justin Thomas, because he’s great at all three of them.” – Kevin Kisner
“It would have to be someone who hits it really far, because everyone chips and putts it really good. I’ll go with Rory.” – Patrick Cantlay
“Oh, wow. It wouldn’t be me because I get too nervous, so I’m out. Right now, I’d go Tiger Woods. He’s tops in putting, his chipping has always been phenomenal and man, as smooth as he’s swinging that driver, he’d give you points there.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“It has to be Phil Mickelson. It has to be. All he has to do is get one drive in play and then chipping and putting, he knows that place so well and his hands are so good. He’d be tough to beat.” – Matt Kuchar
“Now that would be great to see. I’d give Justin Thomas a go. Overall, he’s pretty decent.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“There are so many great all-around players, so there are so many great candidates. But I’d have to go with Justin Thomas or Rory McIlroy.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“Rory. He’s a really good chipper and he’s the best driver in the game.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson
“Bubba Watson. He hits it long, he has really good touch around the greens and he has really great die speed with his putter so even if he doesn’t make a putt it will be a tap-in.” – Billy Horschel
“Jon Rahm would be right up there. Long, great short game. Xander Schauffele, because I love watching him play and he has no weakness. Rory McIlroy, he’s so good.” – Bill Haas
“Jordan Spieth. I’ve never seen a guy chip and putt better and he drives it far enough so he’d score high enough to win it all.” – Charles Howell III
Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.
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