Rickie Fowler has never won a major tournament, but he has a shot this weekend in Augusta. Several former Masters champions, however, won’t be putting on the green jacket this time.
Age: 30
World ranking: 9
Best Masters finish: Second (2018)
Best 2019 finish: First (Waste Management Phoenix Open)
It’s hard to believe the dirt-bike kid is now 30 – and still hasn’t won a major. Whether he has the game has never been the issue. There’s some evidence, though, that he now has the know-how. Last year, when the final round looked to be a duel between Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, Fowler inserted himself with a 67 that included a birdie on the last hole, which put pressure on Reed. He has a win this season in Phoenix as well as a tie for second at the Honda Classic. He contends he’s far more prepared than ever to take the next step. All that’s left is to do it.
Age: 29
World ranking: 3
Best Masters finish: Fourth (2015)
Best 2019 finish: First (Players Championship)
Enough time has passed since McIlroy’s infamous collapse at Augusta – eight years! – that it could be dismissed in assessing his current chances. Oddly, though, that 2011 experience – in which he led after 18,36 and 54 holes, only to shoot a closing 80 – remains his defining Masters moment. Somehow, it overrides his Sunday final-pairing appearance with Patrick Reed a year ago in which he shot an indifferent 74 to finish tied for fifth. Still, two elements override those two Augusta scars: McIlroy’s talent, which remains immense, and his recent form, which is as good as anyone’s in the game. McIlroy has entered six stroke-play events worldwide in 2019. His worst finish: tied for sixth.
Age: 28
World ranking: 4
Best Masters finish: Tied for 11th (2017)
Best 2019 finish: Tied for second (Honda Classic)
Koepka’s life has changed in the last two years, something that happens when you win three of the past seven majors. Yet even with two U. S. Opens and last year’s PGA Championship to his credit, he has a rather undistinguished record at Augusta National: three appearances, no top-10 finishes, just one round of 12 under 70. The reason for the belief in him this time is a bit odd: He missed last year’s Masters with a wrist injury. Watching the tournament on television, though, reminded him that he loved the game. And his powerful game is a fit here. In his three appearances, he has established that he owns the par 5s – 24 under, as opposed to 28 over on all other holes. That ability to score is essential to building a résumé capable of winning the Masters. Koepka can.
Age: 38
World ranking: 1
Best Masters finish: Second (2017); tied for second (2015)
Best 2019 finish: First (Farmers Insurance Open)
Given his ability and experience, maybe the most surprising aspect of Rose’s career is he has won but one major – the 2013 U.
