The Power Fade Golf Blog

Hello, Friends.

It is a a tournament that requires no introduction, so we won’t waste your time with one.

However, I will waste your time with a personal narrative, because, let’s face it, you’re reading our blog for just this sort of thing.

Last year was my first ever trip to the Masters.  To say that Augusta is awe-inspiring is an understatement.  There is nothing like it in the world of golf.  It literally felt like going to DisneyWorld when I stepped on the grounds.  There is an enormous entrance that is only used for one week a year at Augusta.  There are permanent structures devoted to concessions and merchandise that are used only one week a year.  In fact, there is an entire PRACTICE FACILITY that is only used for one week a year!

And then there was the course.  I have yet to find any pictures, videos, or even course fly-overs that do it justice.  The undulation of the greens, particularly the ones on the front nine that are not often televised (holes 4-6), and the elevation change throughout the course generally must be experienced in person to understand why golf nerds love this place.  These greens could not be built today by any rational golf course designer.  For example, the back right pin location on the par three 6th hole must be one of the most intimidating shots in golf.  My friends and I speculated about the names and origins of the herd of elephant that had been buried under this particular green.  The drop offs around this location look as though they would kick the ball back to the front of the green by any shot that came up even an inch short, and the landing area is about the size of a throw rug.  Naturally, long is dead.  Imagine hitting to that location from 180 yards on Sunday with a 1 shot lead.  Talk about pressure.

Finally, let’s not forget Amen Corner.  There is, of course, it’s remarkable beauty, historical significance in the tournament’s outcome, and the brilliant design of the holes.  While much ink has been spilled about these 3 holes, I’ll do my best to add something of value.  What stood out to me was something I would not have believed had I not seen it with my own eyes.  A friend and I were sitting in the stands watching groups play through during the practice round.  To our left, we watch players attempt a dangerous approach to #11 – a lightening fast green with water short and left with the only bail out to the right.  In front of us, we are treated to views of one of the most storied par 3s in golf history, #12.  To our right, players tee off on the short par five 13th that bends left more than I could have imagined even after watching this tournament for 10 years.  At some point during our reverie, my friend asks me if I see anything strange about the flags on #11 and #12.  Indeed: They were no more than 100 yards apart, and yet, the wind was somehow causing them to point directly at one another.

Are you excited yet?

With a field of young guns, and no odds-on favorite, here are our humble predictions:
Place Player Score
1 Danny Willett -5

T10 Daniel Berger +1
Jason Day
Rory McIlroy
Justin Rose
Brandt Snedeker

LG:
Winner: Rory McIlroy Danny Willett
Winning Score: -14 -5
Runner Up: Jason Day T10
“Unknown” in the Top 10: No unknowns – You’re going to have an insane finish this year. Danny Willett
Last Year’s Winner/US Open Champion (Jordan Speith) Will … (Win, Top 10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10 correct
How many prior winners will be in the Top 10: 3 1
Dustin Johnson will… Top 10 correct
Bubba Watson will … Top 10 T37 at +9
Louis Oosthuizen … Top 10 T15 at +3, and one INSANE hole in one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98xPlrGfkco
Adam Scott will … Top 10 T42 at +11
Martin Kaymer will … Make Cut correct, T49 at +12
Ernie Els will … Make Cut MC, and still putting on #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_kVhkUbtQE
Jason Dufner will … be found #dufnering by the big tree on Saturday (miss cut) correct..76-77
Sergio Garcia will … Make Cut correct, T-34 at +8
Bryson DeChambeau will … Miss Cut uhg…T21 at +5, and low amateur
British Open Champion (Zach Johnson) will … Top 10 wrong Johnson..MC, 72-80
PGA Champion (Jason Day) will … WIN T10 at +1
Will there be a hole in one? Yes! there were 3 on sunday alone
What will be the major storyline of the tournament?  Insanely packed leaderboard with a shootout on Sunday – Rory, Jason, Rickie, Jordan, Louis, Bubba, Dustin, Phil, Scott, Henrik, and ZJ. sadly, Jordan Spieth choking on his wedge
What is your Bold prediction? There will be a double eagle! nope

JK:
Winner: Phil Mickelson MC
Winning Score: -5. After Jordan’s performance last year, I expect the tournament committee to put some teeth back in the course. correct on both fronts
Runner Up: Jordan Spieth correct, sadly
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Stephen Bowdwich MC, 79-82
Last Year’s Winner/US Open Champion (Jordan Speith) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): top 10 yup
How many prior winners will be in the Top 10: 3 just Spieth
Dustin Johnson will… make the cut Top 10
Bubba Watson will … top 10 last man to make the cut, barely. not even close to the top 10
Louis Oosthuizen … top 10 close…T15 at +3
Adam Scott will … top 10 erm
Martin Kaymer will … miss the cut barely made it
Ernie Els will … take 45 putts to finish the second round. miss the cut he took 45 putts on the first hole
Jason Dufner will … who? Miss cut yup
Sergio Garcia will … make the cut yup
Bryson DeChambeau will … have the ugliest set of golf clubs on the planet. While he misses the cut. close
British Open Champion (Zach Johnson) will … top 10 yikes
PGA Champion (Jason Day) will … top 10 yup
Will there be a hole in one? Yes, but probably by an unknown and probably on the front nine kind of
What will be the major storyline of the tournament? Phil gets his fourth jacket, tying Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. This will be his last major victory not exactly
What is your Bold prediction? Rory McIlroy barely makes the cut, and finishes just outside the top 10 despite a last day chargenot exactly