Masters Contenders
Five hopefuls, one from each category.
1. FAVORITE
RORY MCILROY
Age: 25
World Ranking: 1
Majors: U.S. Open (2011), British Open (2014), PGA (2012, 2014)
Backspin: A victory would make him the sixth player to complete a career Grand Slam. He also could join Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan as the only players to win three straight majors.
2. RISING STAR
JORDAN SPIETH
Age: 21
World Ranking: 4
Majors: None
Backspin: He finished tied for second in 2014 – his first Masters – and knows he has the game for Augusta National. His short game rates among the best.
3. BEST WITHOUT MAJOR
HENRIK STENSON
Age: 39
World Ranking: 2
Majors: None.
Backspin: The Swede has been in contention almost every week since starting the Florida swing. His ball-striking is superb, and he gets great distance out of his 3-wood.
4. LOCAL HOPE
DUSTIN JOHNSON
Age: 30
World Ranking: 7
Majors: None
Backspin: Augusta would seem to suit Johnson perfectly, but it’s the only major where he has failed to register a top 10. Coming off a six-month break, he won a World Golf Championship event.
5. NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED
JIMMY WALKER
Age: 36
World Ranking: 10
Majors: None
Backspin: Walker made a reasonable debut last year with a tie for eighth. He is a complete player. Had top 10s in three of the majors last year, including Augusta.
This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 1:06 AM with the headline "Masters Contenders."