2009 Australian Masters: Who can beat Tiger Woods?
We take a look at six guys who could beat Tiger Woods at Kingston Heath this week.
The JBWere Australian Masters is now almost upon us and it is hard to recall a bigger build up to a golf tournament held in Australia. The Tiger frenzy has been so crazy even the Britney Spears fans must be wondering why their idol is not gracing the front page of the newspapers.
There are concerns over the galleries surrounding Tiger this week. The incidents in China concerning cameras has some cause for concern and subsequently all cameras and phones are banned. There is also concerns over whether the smallish Kingston Heath course can adequately cope with the large galleries. Galleries this size won’t be anything new to Tiger but the course will be.
As usual he’ll be short priced favourite to win. You have to stop and remind ourselves just how amazing that is in a sport such as golf.
But is there anyone else a chance to beat him? I’d like to say Mat Goggin could threaten but his end to the year hasn’t been great and John Daly may again struggle on this tight layout. Here are few guys that may be a chance.
Marc Leishman
There was a barely a player on the PGA Tour who finished better than he did this year and he is favourite to be named rookie of the year. He went from battling for his tour card to playing with Tiger Woods in the final FedEx Cup playoff featuring the Top 30 players in the space of four weeks. He can bomb it big and is not afraid to attack. He looks to thrive under pressure and could be a big threat after finishing 8th here last year. Australia’s next great hope #2.
Michael Sim
Sim should have won in Australia last year. He led the Masters last year after 54 holes before a final round blow outs ruined his chances and backed up well at the Australian Open before again finishing poorly. He’s over any injuries he carried with him back then and his Nationwide Tour year has shown he can close out golf tournaments now. Australia’s next great hope #1.
Geoff Ogilvy
This time last week I would not have mentioned the man but his performance in China was very good. His last two rounds were very good and the Victorian often plays well in his home town.
Jason Dufner
This guy made over $2 million on the PGA Tour this year with six top-10 finishes and was first choice on many occasions…no make that second choice, in my fantasy golf team. The Americans tend to struggle first time out on Australian courses but he has been out to Australia a few times when playing on the Nationwide Tour and could be one to watch.
Rod Pampling
Pamps is back to defend his golf jacket and has had a pretty good finish to the year. He’ll know this course well and be familiar with positioning off the tee. He’s always a threat on home soil will feature on Sunday.
Tim Clark
When doesn’t this guy put himself in a position to win? Just such a solid player and this tight layout will suit him perfectly. He finished third last year with a third round 76 against his name. I can see the South African winning this and will be completely undaunted going up against Tiger on Sunday.
Also watch for: PGA Tour regular James Nitties and 2010 PGA Tour card holder, Cameron Percy.
How about Adam Scott? Coming off a tie for 3rd at the Singapore Open, im picking him for a good performance back on home soil this week.
I liked Nitties earlier in the year. He had a couple top tens by March, but went 50%/50% on making the cut the rest of the year.
Maybe drinking his home brew will do it for him. I understand he might take a pint or three on occasion…
Good call Vince. Nitties is a good chance for sure.
Not sure about Adam Scott down here – never played that well and we all know his form this year.
I’m thinking Tim Clark may be the guy. I never count him out.
I like Nitties too. It’s his rookie year, so I expect some ups and downs. Still, anybody who makes it through “Big Break” with their confidence intact has some serious game. I look for him to play well in 2010.