An exclusive poll amongst the world’s media at Augusta National has confirmed that the 2011 Masters Tournament is as open a contest as anyone can remember.
Of the 35 golf writers polled bywww.europeantour.com, no more than 13 different players were named as the man they thought would walk away with the Green Jacket come Sunday night.
Three men polled the majority with six votes each – Americans Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney, alongside England’s Luke Donald – next on the list was American Bubba Watson with five votes while last year’s runner-up Lee Westwood of England polled three.
American Dustin Johnson was the recipient of two votes while the remaining seven players only received one vote each, including four-time champion Tiger Woods, perhaps perfectly illustrating how perceptions around the former World Number One have changed. Other players to receive one vote were Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy.
Helen Ross, Chief of Correspondents forwww.pgatour.com, explained why she was in the Mickelson camp. “Momentum is important in golf and Phil has that in abundance right now,” she said. “To shoot 63-65 on the weekend to win in Houston has put him in an excellent frame of mind and he also showed with his win here at Augusta last year that he understands this golf course. He can win again.”
James Corrigan, Golf Correspondent for The Independent, led the cheerleading for Donald. “I think he has the best short game in the world right now and that is crucial here,” he said. “From 30 yards and in, you just know he is going to get the ball up and down. He also possesses the killer instinct he perhaps didn’t have before and any lack of length he has will be negated by the fact the course will be dry, hard and running.”
Finally, Mark Lamport-Stokes, Global Golf Editor for Reuters, put the case for Watney. “He enjoyed a great victory at the WGC –Cadillac Championship in Doral and he is probably the form player on the PGA Tour at the present moment. Crucially, his short game has improved of late to the best level it has ever been and I also don’t think he is harmed by having the same management company as Phil Mickelson.”
So there you have it. It’s wide open. Let the fun begin.
