HTWD Masters Preview: Rory Mcllroy

Getty Images

For our fourth Masters preview we now focus our attention on 2 European stars, Rory Mcllroy and Luke Donald. They currently hold the top 2 spots in the Official World Golf Rankings and are considered to be favorites this week among the critics. 

Name: Rory Mcllroy 

Age: 22

World Ranking: 2

Major Titles: 1

Finish last year: T-15

What he needs to do to win: If Mcllroy wants a piece of revenge, after last years meltdown during the final round at Augusta, he must have nerves of steel. It was dreadful to see such a talented player breakdown, but Mcllroy bounced back a few months later and won his first major, the U.S. Open. And this occurrence allowed us to be believe, he could possibly become World #1, which he did after winning the Honda Classic this year. If Mcllroy stays level headed, he might just find himself wearing the green jacket on Easter Sunday. 

What can go wrong: The most obvious would be a reiteration of his final round last year. The pressure of winning can even make the best players in the world choke. Mcllroy is pretty much fire with every club in the bag, but to pin point a possible setback, I believe the driver will be a determining factor. 

Predicted Finish: Mcllroy should have no problem finishing within the top-10, but I predict a top-5. With a win here, Mcllroy can become World #1 for the second time in his career. 

HTWD Masters Preview: Luke Donald

As noted yesterday, to celebrate Masters week we are doing a few previews of the big favorites heading into Augusta. Yesterday we took a look at the top American favorites (Tiger and Phil), and today we go across the pond to look at Europe's best shot, Rory and Luke. And away we go.


Name: Luke Donald
Age: 34
World Ranking: 1
Major Titles: 0 (Best finish is T-3, twice)
Finish Last Year: T-4

What he needs to do to win: To slip on a green jacket for the first time, Luke needs to keep his Driver in check. We all know he's a world class short game and iron player, so it really comes down to his driver. Luke isn't a very long driver, and his accuracy can come and go. He needs to consistently be in fairways so he can use his irons to hunt for birdies. He might be able to get away with some erratic driving, but if he wants to be in the thick of things on Sunday, he'll need to be in the short grass at least 75 percent of the time.

What can go wrong: The biggest problem for Luke is confidence and how he copes with pressure. Yes, he won a few weeks ago to go back to World #1, but that still doesn't shrug the doubters off. Without a major, the pressure only can pile on him. Luke's primary goal this year has been to grab a major, and he can't let the pressure get to him. He needs to stay confident in his abilities throughout the whole week, because if he lets the pressure get to him a little bit, he'll be done.

Predicted Finish: I think Luke will play well this week, but not well enough to break though. I'm thinking he'll post a top-10 finish, but he'll come up just short in his bid for his first ever major championship.

Getty Images

HTWD Masters Preview: Phil Mickelson

Getty Images

For our second profile of the day, as mentioned in the previous blog, will be Phil Mickelson. Which out of the four “favorites” could possibly be adding a green jacket to his collection or a first time Master’s winner could emerge, just as observed in 2011.  

Name: Phil Mickelson 

Age: 41

World Ranking: 14

Major Titles: 4 (3 Masters)

Finish Last Year: T-27

What he needs to do to win: If Phil wants to be wearing his 4th green jacket on Sunday, he must find peace with the putter. Last week at the Shell Houston Open, Phil missed a few short putts that could have placed him back in the hunt. Phil has been playing well this season, with that said,  if he strikes the ball nicely and fine tunes the putter. Phil could possibly obtain his 4th green jacket and 5th overall major title. To sum it up Phil must putt and drive the ball well in order to win. 

What can go wrong: The same club needed to win could also become his worst enemy, the putter. A three putt (or worst) can put a great tee and approach shot to waste. Besides putting, Phil can get a bit iffy off the tee and a semi tree-lined course does not favor bad tee shots. But Phil can get pretty creative, as we saw back in 2010 on the 13th hole (with six iron in hand), he hit a beauty from the trees, leaving him just feet from the hole. 

Predicted Finish: Lefty should finish within the top-10, but if he gets the driver and putter working, I predict a win.  

HTWD Masters Preview: Tiger Woods

Behold, it is finally Masters week! With arguably the greatest week in golf upon us, we decided to do something a little different this week. We are going to profile four of the "favorites" heading into the tournament. Today we'll profile 2 American favorites: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the 2 UK favourites: Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald. Off we go!


Name: Tiger Woods
Age: 36
World Ranking: 7
Major Titles: 14 (4 Masters)
Finish Last Year: T-4

What he needs to do to win: To win his 5th green jacket, Tiger needs to do something at Augusta he hasn't done since 2005- putt well. The guy is always in contention here it seems, always hitting the ball well enough to win, but the putter goes haywire somehow. If you look at last year, his back 9 putting did him in. If he can putt like he did at Bay Hill, and hit the ball like he has all year, then there's no doubt in my mind that Tiger will be slipping on the green jacket by the end of Sunday.

What can go wrong: The first, most obvious thing that can go wrong with Tiger is his putting. One short missed putt can send him in a free fall in terms of his confidence, and then he'll be out of contention before we know it. He is just regaining confidence that he can win against a full, world class field, so if he were to lose any confidence, he'd be in a lot of trouble. Tiger also needs to not put any more added pressure on himself. Yes, he's always going to have a ton of pressure on him, but there's no need for him to add anymore high expectations. If he can stay patient and confident this week, he'll be fine.

Predicted Finish: The way he's playing, a top-5 finish should be a lock, and if he can get the putter going, he'll definitely win.

Getty Images

Shell Houston Open: Look Out For Hunter Mahan

As of today, the hottest golfer heading into Augusta National is not Rory McIlroy. It's not Phil Mickelson either. Heck, it's not even Tiger Woods!

Who are we talking about? Well, we're talking about the dude who won today, Hunter Mahan. Hunter snatched his second title of the year in a solid field right before the first major of 2012. He's done it with World Class players chasing him too (Rory, Phil, Keegan). So it's not like he's winning events that are second tier. Hunter now is finding his peak at the right time as we get to the biggest tournament of the year.

The best thing about Hunter's win today was his play down the stretch. He showed us in Arizona that his short game could handle a one on one battle, but we were yet to see it be tested with multiple people going after him. Those doubts were put to rest today, as he did just enough to capture the trophy. Sort of Tiger-eque, if you will.

Even though many of the betting public will still go with one of the bigger names I mentioned above (and they have the right to do so, because those 3 are all still playing stellar), don't be surprised if you see Mahan in the mix come Sunday afternoon. He knows he has the game to beat anyone in the World, and heck, with how he's been playing this year, I wouldn't be surprised if he won the darn thing. He's too talented to not win a major in his lifetime, and the stars may be aligning for his time to be on Easter Sunday.

Congratulations, Hunter!

Getty Images