With the 60th Masters about to begin Thursday, it is a duty of this space to provide expert information. And doing that, given our track record, requires outside help.
So, we called Coral’s Bookmakers in London, where betting is almost a civic duty. But, because they drive on the wrong side of the road over there, let’s first eliminate those who can’t win at Augusta National Golf Club.
“You’re doing this in reverse for what reason?” said the chap on the phone. “Because who drives how?”
“Uh, because of Jack Nicklaus,” I said. “It’s the 10th anniversary of his historic Masters victory at age 46, and he plays golf backwards. He sees where the pin is on each hole, and that determines where he drives his tee ball.”
“Oh, that’s better,” said the man from England. “Well, then, the field is 40-1.”
We’ll do the honors here. There will be 93 golfers playing in this Masters, but as is often the case here, only about half actually will be competing. The Masters graciously includes all past champions, but Charles Coody and Gay Brewer are ceremonial figures. Inevitably, so is Arnold Palmer.
Thursday’s roster also includes 19 rookies, most since 1980, a year after Fuzzy Zoeller beat Augusta National on first sight. It hasn’t happened since, and won’t Sunday.
That defies the trend on the PGA Tour, where already there have been four first-time winners, and the Cubs are still in first place. But the pitching is tougher at Augusta National, not to mention the putting.
Thus, discard all the amateurs too. America’s Tiger Woods versus Scotland’s Gordon Sherry, who will turn pro next week, might be the battle of the near future, but not yet.
“Mark O’Meara and Loren Roberts are 33-1,” the voice from London said. “At 28-1, Vijay Singh, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, Jay Haas and John Daly.”
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Purists figure Daly will be fitted for a straitjacket before a green jacket, though he shattered convention with a British Open conquest at St. Andrews. Daly has the game for Augusta National, but his head, like the weather, is partly cloudy. Last week in Atlanta, he took 12 swings on one hole, nine right-handed, three left-handed.
“David Frost 25-1. At 22-1, Phil Mickelson, Steve Elkington. Ernie Els 20-1.”
Tempting prices there. Still haven’t heard the names of Nicklaus or Watson. Nor will we. They’re among the 40-1 brigade. Jack is gaining yards and shedding pounds. Tom is unsafe at any distance within five feet, but he retains his humor. Asked about Nicklaus’ cabbage soup diet, Watson replied, “I just hope I don’t have to play behind him.”
If Nicklaus or Watson isn’t low legend, maybe Ray Floyd. Defending champion Ben Crenshaw is a long shot and Seve Ballesteros is a mental case.
“Nick Faldo 18. Nick Price, Corey Pavin, Tom Lehman 14.”
But no Lee Janzen, who’s rarely a factor here or Tom Kite, who used to be a factor here.
The greens at Augusta National are fast, and getting faster. A warm and windy forecast is not for the meek, the inexperienced or even those with erratic putting biorhythms. Fred Couples’ feel for the short stick is day-to-day.
“He’s 12-1,” said our man in London, “ahead of Colin Montgomerie and Davis Love at 14, behind favorite Greg Norman at 8-1.”
Montgomerie, who has dropped 40 pounds, no longer looks like Mrs. Doubtfire. He is Europe’s best golfer at the moment, but in 14 career Masters rounds is nine over par.
Norman, meanwhile, finished 11 under last year, but didn’t win again. With that score he beats Nicklaus in 1986, Larry Mize in 1987, Faldo in 1989.
That doesn’t mean the Masters owes Norman. For some golfers, the Masters is a scar for life.