19th Hole
2021 Masters staff picks
The opening major of the year is upon us and the GolfWRX staff have had their say on who they think will don the green jacket come Sunday evening.
Also, if you want to see what a professional statistician is saying, check out Richie Hunt’s “The 23 players who can win the Masters,” but if you’d like Masters picks from the rest of us, read on!
Brian Knudson
Win: Adam Scott – The 2013 Masters Champion hasn’t been on fire, but the tall Australian hasn’t missed a cut in the 2021 season. He knows Augusta National, loves the course, and has years of experience to guide him to a second green jacket. His wedge game has also been sneaky good this year.
Place: Scottie Scheffler – Scheffler has been playing some really solid golf the past month, and I think that trend continues this week. He is long enough to play with some of the big hitters and typically hits a consistent draw off the tee. If he can keep the putter rolling true we could see him battling for a jacket on Sunday!
Player I’m fading: Jordan Spieth – I absolutely loved seeing Jordan win last week; it was long overdue! He has been on fire since early February but this is the Masters and everything is a little different. Only two players, Phil Mickelson and Sandy Lyle, have ever won the Masters after winning the week before. I hope he proves me wrong this week!
Ryan Barath
Win: Dustin Johnson – The big man is as consistent as they come, and although his form hasn’t been red hot lately, it has still looked good. With that in mind, heading to Augusta just six months after winning the same event has to be a boost, and I expect he will end up on top.
Place: Bubba Watson – To me, Bubba is a big “vibes” guy, and he loves Augusta National. It inspires creativity and requires golfers to hit it both ways – something he is quite keen on. He played well at the WGC match play recently and we can’t forget that he is still one of the longest players on tour, which plays right into his hand.
Player I’m fading: Adam Scott – This pick is either going to look brilliant or make me look like a complete fool. He is a former champion and has had a great start to the season, but Adam lives and dies by his putter, and I just don’t see it all coming together this week. For many reasons, I hope I’m wrong, but the only way to melt wax is to fly close to the sun, and picking Adam here could have me falling back to earth come Sunday.
Gianni Magliocco
Win: Bryson DeChambeau – It’s only a matter of time before Bryson figures it all out at Augusta, and there’s plenty of signs that this will be the year he does just that. He’ll have learned an awful lot from November, and on a fast and firm course, he’s going to have nothing into these par 5s all week. Besides that, he also ranks top of the field for Strokes Gained: Total over his past 12 rounds. It’s Bryson’s time to shine at Augusta.
Place: Jason Day – There was a time that a win for Jason Day at Augusta seemed like a question of when not if, but the Aussie’s back issues have led to it being very much a question of if these days. However, the Players Championship was Day’s best strokes gained performance Tee to Green since 2015 and that is enough to convince me he can content here.
Player I’m fading: Dustin Johnson – DJ is the favorite and defending champion, but his recent form is concerning. Over his previous 12 rounds, Johnson ranks 51st for Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 77th on the greens. Combine that with the difficulty of going back-to-back at Augusta, and it makes him an easy fade this week.
Ben Alberstadt
Win: Xander Schauffele – “He’s due” is never a great argument, but he’s due for a major. Third in total strokes gained: total among players in the field, Xander will have gotten things dialed following a missed cut at The Players. Plenty comfortable at ANGC as demonstrated by top-20 finishes his past two tries.
Place: Scottie Scheffler – After something of a coming-out party at the WGC, Scheffler is poised to make a major splash.
Player I’m fading: Jon Rahm – Reverse nappie factor will be in effect. Hard to bet on a guy who hasn’t picked up a club in a week and will only get one full day of practice.
We will be doing plenty of coverage leading up to Thursday tee-off, so stay tuned to the front page, social, and the forums for updates and info.
- LIKE5
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK4
19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
New here?
- LIKE4
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL2
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB2
- SHANK5
19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
New here?
- LIKE3
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL3
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK6
19th Hole
Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing one of the new sensations in the world of golf – Ludvig Aberg. The 24-year-old finished solo second at the Masters a couple of weeks ago, and gained many plaudits, including from several WRXers.
- RELATED: ‘There were a number of red flags’ – Ludvig Aberg reveals why he turned down multiple LIV offers
One member, RoyalMustang, took to the forums to explain why Aberg is now their favorite player, saying:
“I loved the way the Ludvig was out there, having a great time, not taking himself or the situation too seriously. Even after the double at 11, he was like “well, that’s golf!” Loose and relaxed: that’s the way to play. It’s obvious he loves what he’s doing, he loves the big moments, and he loves being a part of it all.
Arnold Palmer was viewed that way. Just like Brooks Robinson was forever viewed as not just a great baseball player, but a great human being and friend to Baltimore.”
And our members have been reacting and sharing their positive takes on the young Swede.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- redfirebird08: “Ludvig has a great attitude, a great smile, and a great golf swing.”
- otto6457: “I’m very lucky to have talked with Ludde several times at the Rawls Course at Texas Tech. He’s a truly nice guy and very friendly. Always said hello when we passed each other in the club house and was always smiling. Watching him hit balls on the range was a joy. He has “that sound” and trajectory to die for. There were many times he was out on the range in 30+ mph winds just hitting the most beautiful shots that just seemed to ignore the wind. World class ball striker. And yes……..I am a fan boy.”
- konklifer: “I like him. In an era of endless waggles and laboring, his swing and pace of play are a joy to watch.
Entire Thread: “Why Ludvig Aberg is my new favorite player – GolfWRXers discuss”
- LIKE23
- LEGIT1
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why