Who’s in bloom for the Masters?

Final countdown until the joy at Augusta begins

While Englishman Justin Rose was sitting pretty at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking earlier this month, I couldn’t help spare a thought for those struggling with the yo-yo effect of being ‘in and out’ of the top-50. A top-50 world ranking means that players receive an automatic invitation to play in all four Majors: The Masters, the US Open, The Open and the USPGA Championships. With The Masters, the first Major of the season being just around ‘Amen Corner’ (11-14 April), all eyes are on the top fifty golfers in the world.

Players needing a boost

In the danger zone are players like Kevin Kisner (USA) who is nervously clinging onto the final spot. Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Justin Harding (RSA) are also ‘just in’ on 48th and 49th, respectively. Then there’s Jim Furyk (USA) currently ranked 54th, so ‘just out’. England’s Tom Lewis (63rd) and Lee Westwood (65th) need to have a few good finishes to see them rise in the ranking. Holland’s talent Joost Luiten is in need of a boost if he is going to tee-up in a Major again this season. He currently lies one behind Westwood. A top-60 ranking, by the way, will see those in the danger zone taking part in the US Open and PGA Championship.

Rose digs deep in California

Justin Rose got off to a great start this year when he dug deep for victory in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines GC, San Diego in January. Yet the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (7-10 March) saw American Dustin Johnson reclaim the number one throne from Rose leaving the Englishman second in the world ranking. It was Francesco Molinari who seized Arnie’s title in Orlando proving that the Italian is still in blistering form after his magical 2018 season. Justin Rose finished tied 8th in the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida (14-17 March) which ensures the Englishman stays firmly seated in second place, or at least for the moment.

European hat-trick of wins in USA this season

Molinari’s victory in March paved the way for a hat-trick of European triumphs in America. The ‘Fifth Major’, as The Players Championship is often lovingly referred to, was actually won by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. He scooped a cool 2,250,000 US dollars for his first victory in America this season. McIlroy finished the tournament at 16-under par to secure his fifth top-5 finish in 2019 and notch-up his 15th victory on the PGA Tour. He now lies 4th in the OWGR, one spot behind American Brooks Koepka.

Perhaps inspired by his Ryder Cup colleagues, it was then the turn of 41-year old Englishman Paul Casey to win the next tournament. He put on a gutsy performance in the Valspar Championship in Florida to become the first player to retain the title in the 19-year history of the event.

Yes, Rose, McIlroy, Molinari and Casey have been creating quite a stir in America recently giving European golf fans the hope that someone from this side of the pond will be flying home from the Masters with the coveted Green Jacket in April.

The Masters just around ‘Amen Corner’

The world’s best are sharpening-up their play for the big one as golfers around the globe eagerly anticipate the first Major of the year – The Masters at Augusta National. Yes, Spring is here. The rhododendrons and azaleas are almost in bloom.

By tradition, a number of players from last year’s Masters (the top 12 and ties) automatically receive an invitation to play at Augusta this year which means that we are already assured of the magical presence of Europeans such as McIlroy, Jon Rahm (Spain) and Henrik Stenson (Sweden).

Olympic Champion Justin Rose has finished second twice in the Masters. In 2017, he lost in an emotional play-off to Spain’s Sergio Garcia and in 2015 he was tied second with Phil Mickelson four strokes behind Jordan Spieth. I bet Rose can’t wait to get his hands on his first Green Jacket! But first he’ll have to knock American Patrick Reed off his pedestal.

Keep up the great golf, guys! And enjoy the drive down Magnolia Lane …

Wendy Hoad

The Masters at Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA – 11-14 April 2019.

Nice to know …

In case you’re wondering who is currently leading the European Tour ‘Race to Dubai’ Rankings, that honour goes to Irishman Shane Lowry. Justin Harding (RSA) lies second and England’s Ian Poulter threatens the throne from 3rd spot.