Let’s face it, every kid who dreams about playing golf when they grow up wants to win a green jacket. In addition to being the unofficial start of another golf season, the Masters is one of the greatest and most storied events in sports. Every player on the PGA Tour wants to win at Augusta, but some are likely feeling a greater sense of urgency than others.
Whether they’re looking to bounce back or break out, there’s nothing better for a golfer’s career than capturing a green jacket.
Here are 7 players who could badly use a win at the 2017 Masters.
1. Jordan Spieth
Spieth is only 23 and has already won two majors (including the 2015 Masters), so it’s hard to say he needs a win at Augusta this year. But, boy, would he love to erase the memory of what happened a year ago as quickly as possible.
Just when it looked like Spieth was going to continue dominating the golf world en route to his second consecutive green jacket, the Under Armour poster boy suffered one of the most historic collapses in golf history. Spieth was five shots clear of the field heading into the back nine on Sunday last year, and he somehow fell apart. Until he wins again at Augusta, that meltdown will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
2. Rory McIlroy
Speaking of collapses at Augusta, McIlroy had one of his own back in 2011 when he shot the worst round in history by any professional golfer leading after the third round of the Masters. McIlroy came into Sunday with the lead at 12-under, and his final round 80 left him tied for 15th when the tournament ended.
Since that brutal final round, McIlroy’s best finish at Augusta was fourth in 2015.
McIlroy needs a win at the Masters to complete the career grand slam, and now would be a good time for that. For a while, it looked like McIlroy would be the next person to make a run at Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories.
Suddenly McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014. He’s more than due.
3. Rickie Fowler
Arguably the best golfer in the world who has yet to win a major, Rickie Fowler has six top-10 finishes in the four biggest tournaments of the year. He finished fifth or better in every major back in 2014, though he missed the cut at Augusta last year.
The critics who labeled Fowler as someone who can’t finish were forced to stuff a sock in it when he won an intense playoff at The Players Championship in 2015, but the 28-year-old could silence all of the naysayers with a win at Augusta. There’s no better way to get the monkey off your back, and 28 would be a great age for Fowler to finally do just that.
4. Dustin Johnson
Johnson finally won his first major at the U.S. Open last year, and he has looked like a man on a mission since then. The world No. 1 golfer has won the three last events he has participated in, and he is finally showing us just how deadly he can be when he hits his putts.
Putting has always been the biggest issue for Johnson, and there is no tougher place to putt than Augusta. That said, the rest of his game is suited perfectly for the Masters. He hits the ball a mile and strikes it as well as anyone. If he keeps rolling the ball in the hole the way he has been, he’s going to be incredibly tough to beat.
Winning a major was important, but Johnson’s career would be disappointing if he did not win at least one green jacket. The 32-year-old may never have a better opportunity.
5. Patrick Reed
Reed has never really come close to winning a major, and his best finish at the Masters was when he tied for 22nd back in 2015. His chances of winning are slim, but finding a way to take home a green jacket would do wonders for his career.
Reed is a lightning rod who has become a fan favorite because of his gutsy performances at the Ryder Cup. While that play has never really carried over into the regular golf season, his popularity would soar if he fist-pumped his way to a win at Augusta.
6. Matt Kuchar
Another fan favorite who has never won a major, Kuchar played incredibly well at the Masters over a three-year stretch from 2012-2014 when he finished T-3, T-8 and T-5. We know his game is well-rounded enough to contend at Augusta, and the 38-year-old is running out of chances.
Kuchar has eight top-10 finishes in majors, and you can always feel the crowd pulling for him. He’d stand to gain a great deal if he could put it all together for four rounds.
7. Phil Mickelson
Mickelson’s resume speaks for itself, but anyone who knows how fierce of a competitor he is knows how badly he wants to win one more green jacket before retiring. While Mickelson is 46 and can’t hit the ball as consistently as he used to, he nearly won the Masters two years ago when he finished tied for second.
What a story it would be.
Mickelson may not need it as badly as some of the aforementioned golfers, but the sport always benefits from lefty playing well at Augusta. It’s his best major too, as he’s won it three times — in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
