The Power Fade Golf Blog

In one of the most highly-anticipated events in recent golf memory, Tiger Woods appears poised to make a return to competitive golf starting tomorrow. This week is always a big one for The PF, but especially this one, being one of the last few that Tiger will expect to be able to challenge for the win. Below are our predictions for what you’re going to see this week.

JK

Winner: Cameron Smith
Winning Score: -11
Runner Up: Russell Henley
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Tom Hoge
Last Year’s Winner (Matsuyama) will: MC
The US Open Champion (Rahm, OWGR #2) will: Top 10
The PGA Champion (Mickels…..nevermind): **awkward**
The Champion Golfer of the Year (Morikawa, OWGR #3) will: Make Cut
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 3
The Low Amateur will be: Stewart Hagestad
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: Yes
Scottie Scheffler (OWGR #1) will: Top 10
Viktor Hovland (OWGR #4) will: Make Cut
Patrick Cantlay (OWGR #5) will: MC
Rory McIlroy will: Just outside top 10
Brooks Koepka will: Make Cut
Bryson Deschambeau will: MC, complain about the course
Tony Finau will: Top 10
Tiger Woods will: Top 10
Will there be a hole in one: Yes
What is your Bold prediction: Stewart Cink leads at least one day, but falls off late.

LG

Winner: Tony Finau
Winning Score: -10
Runner Up: Matt Kuchar (YES)
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Max Homa (hard to call him an unknown, but who isn’t known in this field?)
Last Year’s Winner (Matsuyama) will: Miss Cut
The US Open Champion (Rahm, OWGR #2) will: Make Cut
The Champion Golfer of the Year (Morikawa, OWGR #3) will: Top 10
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 2
The Low Amateur will be: Piot!
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: Yes!
Scottie Scheffler (OWGR #1) will: Top 10
Viktor Hovland (OWGR #4) will: Miss Cut
Patrick Cantlay (OWGR #5) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy will: Make Cut
Brooks Koepka will: Top 10
Bryson Deschambeau will: Miss Cut
Tony Finau will: WIN!
Tiger Woods will: Make Cut
Will there be a hole in one: Yes
What is your Bold prediction: Freddie Couples leads after day 1.

It feels like we just recently went through our annual exercise of poorly choosing anyone that would win the Masters. Indeed, just looking back at our November predictions, we were SO off.

Regardless, our predictions are below:

LG
Winner: Scottie Scheffler
Winning Score: -8
Runner Up: Justin Thomas
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Dylan Frittelli
Last Year’s Winner (DJ…also OWGR #1) will: Miss Cut
The US Open Champion (…still Bryson, OWGR #5) will: Miss Cut
The PGA Champion (…still Morikawa, OWGR #4) will: Make Cut
The Champion Golfer of the Year will: still lol.
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 2
The Low Amateur will be: Ty Strafaci
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: No
Justin Thomas (OWGR #2) will: Place
Jon Rahm (OWGR #3) will: Top 10
Xander (OWGR #6) will: Top 10
Rory McIlroy will: Make Cut
Phil Mickeslon will: Miss Cut
Brooks Koepka will: Miss Cut
Tony Finau will: Top 10 machine
Will there be a hole in one: Yes
What is your Bold prediction: Sergio first round lead, Adam Scott makes a significant appearance thanks to a cooperative driver, Bubba makes a run.

JK
Winner: Dustin Johnson
Winning Score: -8
Runner Up: Jordan Spieth
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Fritelli
Last Year’s Winner (DJ…also OWGR #1) will: Repeat
The US Open Champion (…still Bryson, OWGR #5) will: Top 10
The PGA Champion (…still Morikawa, OWGR #4) will: Top 10
The Champion Golfer of the Year will: who dat?
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 3
The Low Amateur will be: Strafaci (Go Jackets!)
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: Yes
Justin Thomas (OWGR #2) will: Top 10
Jon Rahm (OWGR #3) will: Top 10
Xander (OWGR #6) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy will: Top 10
Phil Mickeslon will: Miss Cut
Brooks Koepka will: Miss Cut, then tweet all weekend
Tony Finau will: Make Cut
Will there be a hole in one: Yes
What is your Bold prediction:  Repeat winner

How many times have we said it on this site: Masters week is like Christmas in April. Well, this year it’s like Christmas at Thanksgiving. Thanks, COVID.

It will be amazing to see Augusta National at a different time of the year. How will the course hold up to the colder, wetter conditions we expect? How will the players change their approaches? What will the tournament be like without patrons roaring for Tiger or for eagles on 15? Jon Rahm has already made two (2!!) aces in practice rounds, including one ridiculous skip over the water (https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/30292338/jon-rahm-celebrates-birthday-skipping-ball-pond-hole-one-masters). Will he do it again on tournament day?

Regardless, our predictions are below:

JK
Winner: Rory McIlroy
Winning Score: -16
Runner Up: Jon Rahm
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Dylan Frittelli
Last Year’s Winner (Tiger) will: Top 10 – special magic at Augusta, even when he’s not playing particularly well
The US Open Champion (Bryson, OWGR #6) will: hit some roaring drives and chip it in the water. Top 10 somehow.
The PGA Champion (Morikawa, OWGR #4) will: Make cut
The Champion Golfer of the Year will: Trick question, there is none–the R&A sold out
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 3
The Low Amateur will be: Andy Ogletree (Go Jackets!)
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: No
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Make Cut
Jon Rahm (OWGR #2) will: Make Cut
Justin Thomas (OWGR #3) will: Top 10
Rory McIlroy (OWGR #5) will: WIN
Phil Mickeslon will: Hit it OB right on 10. MC
Will there be a hole in one: No. Rahm used them all up
What is your Bold prediction: Bryson claims Augusta isn’t fair after shooting a final-round 74.

LG
Winner: Tony Finau
Winning Score: -16
Runner Up: Bryson
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Max Homa
Last Year’s Winner (Tiger) will: Top 10
The US Open Champion (Bryson, OWGR #6) will: Top 10
The PGA Champion (Morikawa, OWGR #4) will: Miss Cut
The Champion Golfer of the Year will: lol.
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 2
The Low Amateur will be: Lukas Michel 
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: Yes
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Make Cut
Jon Rahm (OWGR #2) will: Top 10
Justin Thomas (OWGR #3) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy (OWGR #5) will: Make Cut
Phil Mickeslon will: Miss Cut
Will there be a hole in one: Yes
What is your Bold prediction: Bryson gets way more airtime than he should. 

It’s odd writing this post in September, but, then again, nothing about 2020 has been normal. I like to think about Father’s Day when the US Open is on, and, sadly, this will not be one to commemorate that moment. Nonetheless, I’m glad we’re having golf at all. Here’s our (well, my, because LG is lazy) picks for the upcoming US Open tomorrow.

JK
Winner: Webb Simpson
Winning Score: +6
Runner Up: Viktor Hovalnd
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Joel Dahmen
Last Year’s Winner (Woodland) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Miss Cut
The Master’s Winner (TIGER!) Will: Make cut
The PGA Winner (Morikawa) Will: Make cut
The Open Champion (No one) Will: screw the British
OWGR #1 Dustin Johnson will: Top 10
OWGR #2 Jon Rahm will: Top 10
OWGR #3 Justin Thomas will: make cut
Bryson Deschambeau will: grunt really loud and take way too long…hopefully missing the cut in the process
Phil Mickelson (2006 Winged Foot heartbreak): come close…top 5
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: a lot
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? it will be a struggle to hold on. This is one of the most difficult US Open venues set up to be even more difficult. Expect high numbers for days
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? The USGA NOT screwing up the setup for once

LG (made up by JK):
Winner: TIGER!
Winning Score: A MILLION UNDER PAR
Runner Up: TIGER!
“Unknown” in the Top 10: WHO CARES
Last Year’s Winner (Woodland) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): WHO CARES
The Master’s Winner (TIGER!) Will: TIGER!
The PGA Winner (Morikawa) Will: SOMEWHERE BEHIND TIGER!
The Open Champion (No one) Will: ?
OWGR #1 Dustin Johnson will: BE BORING
OWGR #2 Jon Rahm will: HAVE A SHORT BACKSWING
OWGR #3 Justin Thomas will: WEAR A POLO SHIRT WITH TOO BIG OF A LOGO
Bryson Deschambeau will: AARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Phil Mickelson (2006 Winged Foot heartbreak): MOOBS
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: TIGER!!!!
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? TIGER!!!!!!
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? !!!!!!!

The game’s oldest major will be contested in Northern Ireland this year at Royal Portrush.  What has now become the year’s last major also brings easily the best title: Champion Golfer of the Year.

The pressure’s on for the big names, and the weather should be a factor.  Who’s got the minerals?

LG
Winner: Rory McIlroy
Winning Score: -14
Runner Up: Francesco Molinari
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Despite him being a winner last week – Dylan Frittelli
Last Year’s Winner (Molinari) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (TIGER) Will: Make Cut
The US Open/PGA Champion (Koepka) Will: Top 10
Dustin Johnson will: Make Cut
Justin Rose will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy will: WIN
Jon Rahm will: Make Cut
Jordan Spieth will: Make Cut
Rickie Fowler will: Make Cut
Jason Day will: Miss Cut
Phil the Thrill will: Miss Cut
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 3
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Rory runs the tables
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Rory overcomes massive pressure to win!

JK

Winner: Rickie Fowler
Winning Score: -9
Runner Up: Justin Rose
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Chez Reavie
Last Year’s Winner (Molinari) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (TIGER) Will: Top 10
The US Open/PGA Champion (Koepka) Will: Top 10
Dustin Johnson will: MC
Justin Rose will: Top 10
Rory McIlroy will: Make Cut — too much pressure
Jon Rahm will: MC
Jordan Spieth will: MC
Rickie Fowler will: WIN!
Jason Day will: MC
Phil the Thrill will: Top 10
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 4
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Rickie plays beautifully on the last 4 holes to outlast a struggling field
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Rory didn’t shoot 61

Return to Pebble is always a great thing. Unfortunately, due to both LG and I traveling, we won’t have double predictions this time. Here’s my best guess…

Winner: Spieth
Runner Up: Brooks
Wining Score: -4
Low Amateur: Viktor Hovland
Molinari will…Top 10
Mickelson will…Top 5
DJ will…Top 10
Tiger will…Top 10
Will anyone miss the cut? Probably no one you care about
Will there be any unknowns on the leaderboard? No

Let’s Go Tiger!

The GOAT’s return to Bethpage Black.  Will there be any other story besides Tiger?  Likely not.  But we’ll do our best to keep things interesting!  JK attending this major live!  Hopefully that makes his predictions better than most.

LG
Winner: Martin Trainer
Winning Score: -8
Runner Up: Tiger Woods
Low PGA Professional: Marty Jertson
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Trainer…
Last Year’s Winner (Koepka (also U.S. Open Champ)) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (TIGER) Will: Top 10
The Open Champion (Molinari) Will: Make Cut
Dustin Johnson will: Make Cut
Justin Rose will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy will: Make Cut
Jon Rahm will: Make Cut
Jordan Spieth will: Miss Cut
Rickie Fowler will: Make Cut
Jason Day will: Miss Cut
Phil the Thrill will: Make Cut
Friend of the blog – Martin Trainer will: WIN
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 3
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Trainer comes from behind on Sunday and takes it down.  Makes a double somewhere early in the round
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? I think you’re

JK
Winner: Trainer
Winning Score: -19
Runner Up: Jordan Spieth
Low PGA Professional: Marty Jertson
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Satoshi Kodaira
Last Year’s Winner (Koepka (also U.S. Open Champ)) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (TIGER) Will: Top 10
The Open Champion (Molinari) Will: Top 10
Dustin Johnson will: Make Cut
Justin Rose will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy will: Top 10
Jon Rahm (will: Make Cut
Jordan Spieth will: Top 10
Rickie Fowler will: Make Cut
Jason Day will: Miss Cut
Friend of the blog – Martin Trainer will: win, no matter where he finishes.
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 8
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Win it….it’s the PGA, not the Open
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? For the PF, the biggest story will always be the first major of Martin Trainer’s career

The best week of the year is finally upon us. It’s Masters Week!!!! Tiger is playing well and–maybe not as well as last year, but–there is a lot to be excited about seeing the big cat get back at it. Lots of younger guys punched their tickets playing well. And lots of the veterans trying to figure out the slopes of the greatest golf course on the planet. Will Rory finally complete the career slam? Can Phil win one more before the Champions Tour? Will Kuchar pay his caddy enough? Will Bryson be allowed to putt with the flagstick? LOTS of great stories, as always. Here we go….

JK
Winner: Marc Leishman
Winning Score: -14
Runner Up: Rory McIlroy
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Satoshi Kodaira
Last Year’s Winner (Reed) will: MC. We can only hope…
The US Open Champion and PGA Champion (Koepka, OWGR #4) will: Top 10. Dude can ball.
The Champion Golfer of 2017 (Molinari, OWGR #7) will: Make cut. He doesn’t putt well enough to play ANGC
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 3
The Low Amateur will be: Devon Bling
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: No
Justin Rose (OWGR #1) will: Top 10
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #2) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy (OWGR #3) will: Top 10 (#2)
Justin Thomas (OWGR #5) will: Miss Cut
Bryson DeChambeau (OWGR #6) will: trip on the flagstick. MC
Jon Rahm (OWGR #8) will: MC.
Rickie Fowler (OWGR #9) will: Top 10
Xander Schauffele (OWGR #10) will: Top 10
Paul Casey (OWGR #11) will: Make Cut
Tiger Woods (OWGR #12) will: Top 10
Corey Conners (last man in) will: MC. Clock strikes 12:00 for Cinderella eventually
Jordan Spieth will: Top 10
Jason Day will: Make cut
Adam Scott will: Make cut
Bubba Watson will: Miss cut
Sergio Garcia will: Make cut
Phil Mickeslon will: Top 10
Bernhard Langer will: Miss cut
Will there be a hole in one: Probably
What will be the major storyline of the tournament: Tiger has another rules controversy
What is your Bold prediction: Leishman wins in playoff

LG
Winner: Rory McIlroy
Winning Score: -14
Runner Up: Tiger Woods
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Si Woo Kim
Last Year’s Winner (Reed) will: MC (hopefully)
The US Open Champion and PGA Champion (Koepka, OWGR #4) will: Make Cut
The Champion Golfer of 2017 (Molinari, OWGR #7) will: Top 10
How many prior Masters winners will be in the Top 10: 3
The Low Amateur will be: who cares?
Does the Low Amateur make the cut: Nope.
Justin Rose (OWGR #1) will: Make Cut
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #2) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy (OWGR #3) will: WIN!
Justin Thomas (OWGR #5) will: Make Cut
Bryson DeChambeau (OWGR #6) will: Miss Cut
Jon Rahm (OWGR #8) will: Miss Cut
Rickie Fowler (OWGR #9) will: Top 10
Xander Schauffele (OWGR #10) will: Miss Cut
Paul Casey (OWGR #11) will: Make Cut
Tiger Woods (OWGR #12) will: Top 10
Corey Conners (last man in) will: Top 10!
Jordan Spieth will: Miss Cut
Jason Day will: Miss Cut
Adam Scott will: Miss Cut
Bubba Watson will: Make Cut
Sergio Garcia will: Make Cut
Phil Mickeslon will: Make Cut
Bernhard Langer will: Miss Cut
Will there be a hole in one: Yes!
What will be the major storyline of the tournament: TIGER, then Rory.

For the first time in our 10(?)-ish year history, LG and I will be collaborating on our predictions for this major in-person. Also, we have a couple of guest predictions to see how a newbie does against the experienced guessers (my money is on much, much better).

JK
Winner: Jordan Spieth
Winning Score: -19
Runner Up: Rory McIlroy
Low PGA Professional: Johan Kok
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Luke List
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Thomas, OWGR #2) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (Reed, #12) Will: Top 10
The US Open Winner (Koepka, #4) Will: Make Cut
The Open Champion (Molinari, #6) Will: Make Cut
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Top 10
Justin Rose (#3) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy (#5) will: Top 10
Jon Rahm (#7) will: Miss Cut
Jordan Spieth (#8) will: Win
Rickie Fowler (#9) will: Top 10
Jason Day (#10) will: Make Cut
Tiger (#who cares) will: Make Cut
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 6
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? -15? someone wins it
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Spieth completes the career slam

LG
Winner: Justin Thomas
Winning Score: -14
Runner Up: Rory
Low PGA Professional: Brian Smock
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Shubhankar Sharma
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Thomas, OWGR #2) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Win B2B
The Master’s Winner (Reed, #12) Will: Yell at a cameraman for jingling change. MC
The US Open Winner (Koepka, #4) Will: MC
The Open Champion (Molinari, #6) Will: Make Cut
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Make Cut
Justin Rose (#3) will: Make Cut
Rory McIlroy (#5) will: Top 10
Jon Rahm (#7) will: Top 10
Jordan Spieth (#8) will: Top 10
Rickie Fowler (#9) will: Make Cut
Jason Day (#10) will: MC
Tiger (#who cares) will: Make Cut
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 4
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Thomas goes out and wins it
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Bellerive sucks, just like the TaylorMade High Toe wedge.

KB (guest post)
Winner: Jason Day
Winning Score: -20
Runner Up: Sheffaffle.
Low PGA Professional: Someone I’ve never heard of.
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Thorbjorn ❤
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Thomas, OWGR #2) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Self combust from too many consecutive interviews. Make Cut.
The Master’s Winner (Reed, #12) Will: Do better than anyone wants him to. Top10.
The US Open Winner (Koepka, #4) Will: Try to keep up with his playing partners. Top10.
The Open Champion (Molinari, #6) Will: Fizzle out. Make Cut.
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Be average all week then come out of nowhere Sunday to finish just short of the W. Top10.
Justin Rose (#3) will: Come back from injury too early. MC.
Rory McIlroy (#5) will: Top10.
Jon Rahm (#7) will: MC.
Jordan Spieth (#8) will: Make Cut.
Rickie Fowler (#9) will: Shoot low round at least two days and high round at least one. And be distracted by his fiancée the whole time. Make Cut.
Jason Day (#10) will: T10.
Tiger (#who cares) will: Keep losing swing speed until I beat him in a long drive contest. Make Cut.
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 4
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Win
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Players sweat straight through their long pants.

TG (guest post)
Winner: Xander Schauffele
Winning Score: -9
Runner Up: Tommy Fleetwood
Low PGA Professional: Michael Block
“Unknown” in the Top 10: Russel Henley
Last Year’s Winner (Justin Thomas, OWGR #2) Will … (Win, Top10, Make the Cut, or Miss the Cut): Top 10
The Master’s Winner (Reed, #12) Will: Miss Cut
The US Open Winner (Koepka, #4) Will: Make Cut
The Open Champion (Molinari, #6) Will: Make Cut
Dustin Johnson (OWGR #1) will: Top 10
Justin Rose (#3) will: Top 10
Rory McIlroy (#5) will: Make Cut
Jon Rahm (#7) will: Miss Cut
Jordan Spieth (#8) will: Make Cut
Rickie Fowler (#9) will: Make Cut
Jason Day (#10) will: Top 10
Tiger (#who cares) will: Top 10
How many prior major winners will be in the Top 10: 4
Will someone win it, or will everyone else lose it? Everyone blows up
What will be the biggest story of the tournament? Tiger with ladies of the evening