Masters Preview - Out With The Old Or In With The New?

Editor’s Note: This is a collaborative piece by Sportsnaut’s Derek White and Greg Vara of Rotowire and Yahoo Sports.

This week brings us one of the best annual events in sports, the Masters. Golf’s best gathering at Augusta National is one of the sure signs that Spring is upon us. For many in United States, the Masters can’t come fast enough.

With Tiger Woods out of the field due to injury, who from the wide-open field might emerge to take home the green jacket? We’re going to focus on three groups of players: past Masters champions, veterans looking for their first green jacket, and younger players looking to burst on to the scene with a Masters victory.

Previous Masters Champion: Derek’s pick – Zach Johnson

Can the likable Zach Johnson win at Augusta National for a second time? Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Iowawegian has just one major victory in his career, the 2007 Masters. That’s shocking considering how often he’s in the hunt. Johnson has 11 career victories and is consistent as all can be. The early reports out of Augusta National seem to have the course playing extremely tough this week. That might play into Johnson’s strengths, as he’s not a long player off the tee, but he doesn’t blow up either.

Johnson hasn’t missed a cut in the 2014 PGA Tour season. He has four top-10 finishes, along with a victory at the Hyndaui Tournament of Champions. Something about Johnson’s play this year, combined with a wide-open field, makes him an intriguing pick this week to win his second green jacket.

Previous Masters Champion: Greg’s pick – Phil Mickelson

Can Phil take advantage of a Tigerless field? Photo: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

Mickelson is the top pick in my mind and no coincidence, he just happens to be a previous winner here. There’s a reason that we see the same names near the top of the leader board year after year at Augusta — these guys have a great feel for this course. Hot or cold, a great feel for the course doesn’t go away. Sure a golfer can still catch bad breaks and post a high number, but for the most part, the guys that have played well here in the past, will be the ones to look for each year. As for Mickelson specifically, I like the fact that he hasn’t won yet this season, it actually takes a little pressure off of him because there is a small segment that is underestimating him this year and that’s just where he wants to be.

Still Looking For Their First Green Jacket: Greg’s pick – Jason Day

Jason Day is at the top of his game. Is this his year? Photo: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to his thumb injury, Day was at the top of my list this week of contenders. The reality however is that Day has had to deal with that nagging thumb injury for weeks now. Day has said that the thumb is not an issue coming into this week, and I’ll take him at his word. Prior to his injury, Day was absolutely on fire. He tore through the WGC Match-Play event and it looked like 2014 would be a break-out season in many ways. There’s still a chance for Day to have a career year and a win this week would all but seal that distinction for 2014. If the thumb is of no concern and he doesn’t show much rust, he should be among the contenders this week again. In three starts at Augusta, Day has two top-three finishes.

Looking for their first green jacket: Derek’s pick – Matt Kuchar

Kuchar’s measurements are “extra long, extra tall”. Will he get fitted for a green jacket Sunday? Photo: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

“Kuch,” with all the success he’s had over his career, has only won six PGA Tour events. Kuchar does have that all important label of “Major Champion” with a victory at the 2012 PGA Championship. He’s really found his groove over the past handful of seasons, and in 12 events this season, he’s finished in the top-10 nine times, missing the cut only once. He may be quiet and not flashy (in fact, he may not own more than three different colored Bridgestone hats), but he’s mega consistent. Also, Kuchar is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Matt Jones this past weekend at the Shell Houston Open. Perhaps that’s made him even more focused on getting that green jacket.

Players ready to burst on to the scene: Derek’s pick – Jordan Spieth

Spieth is a star in the making. Is this his week? Photo: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Die-hard golf fans will argue that Spieth burst on to the scene in 2013 when he racked up $3,879,820 as a rookie. This is Spieth’s second year on tour and his first Masters tournament. Normally, that doesn’t bode well. As a rookie, Spieth won once and finished in the top-10 nine times in 23 events. That’s a great year for any golfer. He’s already won $1,829,223 in 11 events in 2014, and his stardom potential is bursting at the seams. With Tiger out, Phil Michelson not 100 percent, and Rory McIlroy not living up to the hype he built two years ago, the sports world may find their new golf star if Spieth is able to win at Augusta National this week.

Players ready to burst on to the scene: Greg’s pick – Gary Woodland

Woodland has yet to break through in a major. But he’s capable. Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Woodland has experienced a lot in his short career on the PGA Tour. He had early success only to be derailed by injury and subsequently struggled to regain his form. Now that he’s apparently back on top of his game, it’s time for Woodland to take the next step, which is of course, contending at a major. Woodland has plenty of game to be a factor this week and he proved that he could get around this course when he posted a top-25 in his first start at the Masters in 2011.

Greg Vara is the lead fantasy golf writer at RotoWire. in 2013 Greg was named FSWA Fantasy Golf Writer of the year. In addition to producing the weekly preview and the bulk of the draft kit content, he also picks college football games against the spread in his “College Capper” article. Greg Vara is also a Devilball blogger for Yahoo Sports.

Photo: Jack Gruber, USA Today