6. Hideki Matsuyama
No golfer started the 2016-17 PGA season hotter than Matsuyama. He blazed a trail of top-five finishes that included two wins and two second-place finishes in his first five tournaments of the season.
Since then, the Japanese superstar has cooled off a bit, but he got hot again in February, winning the Phoenix Waste Management Open. All told, his season includes three wins (including the unofficial Hero Open), two second-place finishes, four top 10’s and 10 made cuts in 11 events.
Making him even more dangerous is the simple fact that Matsuyama has been zeroing in on a win at Augusta the past two seasons, posting a fifth-place finish in 2015 and a tie for seventh last year.
Hideki Matsuyama, in his own words, talks about his desire to win #themasters pic.twitter.com/zN7PRnbj5p
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 4, 2017
One of the best all-around players in the world, Matsuyama combines big-hitting ability with precise iron strikes and a solid short game. His one weakness is a below-average putter, which could be his undoing at Augusta.