The Masters

[exilecanada]

I'm convinced this is Rory's year to finally get the monkey of his back and join the elite group of Grand Slam winners. His game looks solid, his head seems to be in the right place.

Go Rors

[The Shire Claret]

I really hope you are right - I'm desperate for him to win it but he capable of having a shocker here and there

fingers and toes crossed for him

[Taffy on the wing]

He's definitely got the talent but he's got mashed spuds between the ears!
Wouldn't wager on him.

[jrgbfc]

Would like to see Rory do it but would never back him in a major now. Scheffler probably won't be far away. Think i'm backing De Chambeau, Shane Lowry and Russell Henley.

[exilecanada]

He's definitely got the talent but he's got mashed spuds between the ears!
Wouldn't wager on him.

There's no question the six inches between his ears have been his downfall in the past. I've been saying for years that Rory would benefit from hiring a real, experienced caddy, not his childhood pal.

[Vegas Claret]

23 percent chance of rain first round
71 percent second round
25 third round
0 final round

Winds don't look too bad, I expect it to be very tight. Rory has been putting superbly over the last few weeks for the most part so lets hope that continues.

[basil6345789]

I'm convinced this is Rory's year to finally get the monkey of his back and join the elite group of Grand Slam winners. His game looks solid, his head seems to be in the right place.

Go Rors

You can't say that - it's offensive to monkeys

[FCBurnley]

If he can putt well he wins but sadly he is not a good putter

[Taffy on the wing]

23 percent chance of rain first round
71 percent second round
25 third round
0 final round

Winds don't look too bad, I expect it to be very tight. Rory has been putting superbly over the last few weeks for the most part so lets hope that continues.

If the greens are soft you'd have to think Scheffler will win....he's the best iron player on tour.
Personally i'm rooting for anyone but him.....can't stand Bible thumpers!

Splurgio to make the cut!.....possibly contend. Great iron player.
It always comes down to who can consistently get the ball below the hole.

[CaptJohn]

Would like to see Rory do it but would never back him in a major now. Scheffler probably won't be far away. Think i'm backing De Chambeau, Shane Lowry and Russell Henley.

I'd love for Rory to win but I have an each way on Scheffler. Strangely enough Harman won last week and he has the game and temperament for Augusta. I still kick myself for not backing him at the Open the other year when I actually tipped him to my son and son in law. He was 200-1 at the time

[CrosspoolClarets]

If he can putt well he wins but sadly he is not a good putter

He is a great putter........

......but sadly not on the trickiest greens

[Darnhill Claret]

I like two that have shown some improved form recently.
Zalatoris + Hovland

If I could only pick one, it would be Sheffler.

Heart says Rory, Shane or Bob McIntyre.

[jrgbfc]

I'd love for Rory to win but I have an each way on Scheffler. Strangely enough Harman won last week and he has the game and temperament for Augusta. I still kick myself for not backing him at the Open the other year when I actually tipped him to my son and son in law. He was 200-1 at the time

Yeah i thought about Harman. Not sure he hits it far enough for Augusta. Course seems to suit left handers though! Bubba Watson and Mickelson won it a few times, Mike Weir as well.

[Dazzler]

As I am English I would much prefer an English chap to win. Tommy Fleetwood for me.

It wouldn't bother me one bit if Rory never won again.

[Spijed]

Would like to see Rory do it but would never back him in a major now. Scheffler probably won't be far away. Think i'm backing De Chambeau, Shane Lowry and Russell Henley.

Jordan Spieth seems to have similar issues as Rory nowadays. Has a really good round or two, then will make a couple of bad bogeys which kills off any hope.

[Hedontplayforyou]

I’ve gone for Hovland , Conners and Fitzpatrick as my
Outsider .

[exilecanada]

As I am English I would much prefer an English chap to win. Tommy Fleetwood for me.

A man after my own heart, I have a hierarchy as well.

English (it would be brilliant to hear Tommy's acceptance speech in a broad Lancashire accent)
British
Irish
European
Commonwealth countries
Any other country except Useless State of Murica.

[alboclaret]

I'd love for Rory to win but I have an each way on Scheffler. Strangely enough Harman won last week and he has the game and temperament for Augusta. I still kick myself for not backing him at the Open the other year when I actually tipped him to my son and son in law. He was 200-1 at the time

E.w at 9/2 not for me.

As for harman. Not sure he long enough more so if it raining/soft.
He's the mental game for it though.
He likes to grind over 4 days which seams to be the thing nowadays for the masters.

[Dazzler]

English (it would be brilliant to hear Tommy's acceptance speech in a broad Lancashire accent)

Exactly!

[claretonthecoast1882]

I would probably find myself backing Rory to miss the cut before him winning it.

6/1 is a decent price for someone who missed the cut twice recently

[exilecanada]

This is Bernhard Langers final kick at the The Masters cat. Yesterday he was saying he's hitting hybrids into greens other are hitting 9 iron or wedges What a magnificent career he's had and still having on the 'old f*rts' tour, regularly shoots his age or less, holds the record for most wins on that tour. Turned pro at 16 years of age when golf was barely recognised as a sport in Germany and probably not recommended as a way to make a living. He's done ok for himself

[Cheshireclaret]

There's no question the six inches between his ears have been his downfall in the past. I've been saying for years that Rory would benefit from hiring a real, experienced caddy, not his childhood pal.

100% this. Anyone who saw Min Woo Lee's win a couple of weekends ago at The Houston Open, will have seen his caddie (Bo) talk him out of trying to play a shot from under a bush and instead, declaring it unplayable and taking a penalty drop in the final round, plus numoerous occasions where he was insistent on club selection, shot type etc.

He is exactly the type of caddie Rory needs to help him complete the jigsaw - especially around a course like Augusta! JP Fitzgerald was a great caddie - was he too outspoken for Rory, or did Rory want a yes man? JP's subsequent on / off career on other bags might suggest the problem isn't Rory, but there again, I do believe he would be a much better bag man than Diamond and that Rory cannot handle a difference of opinion well.

[CoolClaret]

If the greens are soft you'd have to think Scheffler will win....he's the best iron player on tour.
Personally i'm rooting for anyone but him.....can't stand Bible thumpers!

Splurgio to make the cut!.....possibly contend. Great iron player.
It always comes down to who can consistently get the ball below the hole.

Scheffler's a pretty chill down to earth guy..

Colin Morikawa is leading the tour in strokes gained tee to green and in approach shots...

[Elizabeth]

Keeping my fingers crossed for a Mcilroy win as there is nothing worse than listening to his excuses and grievances.
Don't think he can recover from his recent past throwaways in the really big events.

[Casper2]

Aberg

[exilecanada]

Angel Cabrera as a dark horse (if the shackles are off)

[Taffy on the wing]

Scheffler's a pretty chill down to earth guy..

Colin Morikawa is leading the tour in strokes gained tee to green and in approach shots...

Morikawa is a horrible putter...most of the time.

Scheffler is a Bible thumper along with his caddie.....he's the man to beat though.

[CoolClaret]

Morikawa is a horrible putter...most of the time.

Scheffler is a Bible thumper along with his caddie.....he's the man to beat though.

He might be, but he's still chill and gets on with it, other than his victory last year I barely recall him mentioning his faith and as you say, a damn good player.

[Taffy on the wing]

He might be, but he's still chill and gets on with it, other than his victory last year I barely recall him mentioning his faith and as you say, a damn good player.

He and his caddie met at the PGA Bible study group......say no more.

WTF does the PGA tour need its own Bible study group for?....madness!

Any road he's off to a flier -2 ...ominous.

[Rileybobs]

He and his caddie met at the PGA Bible study group......say no more.

WTF does the PGA tour need its own Bible study group for?....madness!

Any road he's off to a flier -2 ...ominous.

How the hell is a golfer’s religion relevant?

[Vegas Claret]

100% this. Anyone who saw Min Woo Lee's win a couple of weekends ago at The Houston Open, will have seen his caddie (Bo) talk him out of trying to play a shot from under a bush and instead, declaring it unplayable and taking a penalty drop in the final round, plus numoerous occasions where he was insistent on club selection, shot type etc.

He is exactly the type of caddie Rory needs to help him complete the jigsaw - especially around a course like Augusta! JP Fitzgerald was a great caddie - was he too outspoken for Rory, or did Rory want a yes man? JP's subsequent on / off career on other bags might suggest the problem isn't Rory, but there again, I do believe he would be a much better bag man than Diamond and that Rory cannot handle a difference of opinion well.

Agree 100%, Bo did a brilliant job all throughout but especially on that hole

[exilecanada]

Agree 100%, Bo did a brilliant job all throughout but especially on that hole

There's no question a caddy has become an integral part of the the players 'team'. Long gone are the days when a caddy must....... show up, keep up and shut up.

[exilecanada]

How the hell is a golfer’s religion relevant?

It isn't relevant as long as the player doesn't draw attention to religion in interviews etc. IMO there's no place for religion in sports.

[Quickenthetempo]

Justin Rose on fire so far

[exilecanada]

Justin Rose on fire so far

He typically plays well at The Masters, had a couple of runners up and some high finishes, horses for courses? Always liked Rose, obviously because he's a Brit but mainly for how he persevered after a horrendous start to his pro career. Canadian Corey Connors had a solid -4 start If only he could sort out his inconsistent putter

[what_no_pies]

Always choose a few at decent prices. This time it included fiver Ew on Rose at 80/1 so his start sets up an exiting weekend.

[LeadBelly]

Always choose a few at decent prices. This time it included fiver Ew on Rose at 80/1 so his start sets up an exiting weekend.

Had 4 small each ways myself just to add interest. Three at around 33/1 and Rose at 80/1 - only did that because he's a sporting hero from the area I've been living in for the last 20 years. Odds have tumbled significantly in the last few hours

[MT03ALG]

Scheffler or Schauffele

[Vegas Claret]

not great for Rory

[Taffy on the wing]

How the hell is a golfer’s religion relevant?

It wouldn't be if he didn't talk about it

[TheFamilyCat]

He and his caddie met at the PGA Bible study group......say no more.

WTF does the PGA tour need its own Bible study group for?....madness!

Any road he's off to a flier -2 ...ominous.

So PGA members can study the bible together, perhaps?

[Taffy on the wing]

So PGA members can study the bible together, perhaps?

Insanity!

[Buxtonclaret]

Ready for something more sedate, after the footy.

[Taffy on the wing]

Ready for something more sedate, after the footy.

It's set up for a great weekend!

[Vegas Claret]

Unreal start

[Hedontplayforyou]

Brilliant start from the leaders

[Quickenthetempo]

Rory Mc is 5 under on his first 5 holes tonight.

11 under

[Taffy on the wing]

Six 3's to start -5 unbelievable from McIlroy.

[Buxtonclaret]

The man is on fire!
Brilliant stuff from Rory.

[exilecanada]

The man is on fire!
Brilliant stuff from Rory.

Yes he is on fire but let's not get ahead of ourselves, we all know he's more than capable of giving them all back in a heartbeat I'm pleasantly surprised Canadian Corey Connors is hanging in so far, it must be tough when 99.99% of the patrons are rooting for your playing partner.