Why Rickie Fowler is a good bet for The Masters
Rickie Fowler
We all know there are lies, damned lies and statistics but a chance meeting with Paul McGinley in the Press Building at the Masters had me scurrying for the PGA Tour numbers.
Who, we wondered, could win a windy Masters given that it's a given that Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth and many other are being tipped to win.
There are many talents required so the 2014 Ryder Cup winning captain ran through them. He has to be able to drive the ball long and straight (Total Driving), hit greens (GIR), hole putts like a demon (Strokes Gained Putting), get up and down when he misses greens in the wind (Scrambling) and simp;y know how to put a score together (Scoring average).
Picking out the top 20 or so players in the World Rankings with PGA Tour statistics - sorry Danny Willett and Andy Sullivan — and the numbers show that on average, Rickie Fowler (average position across all categories 17.2) has a clear lead over everyone with Phil Mickelson (31.6), Adam Scott (32.6) and Kevin Kisner (34) his nearest rivals. Rory McIlroy (39.4) would be sixth on 2016 form in the US.
Add in a stiff west wind, fast greens and Masters experience and you can draw your own conclusions. Of course, if your Bubba Watson, no rules apply. Good luck with your bets.