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The Masters: 10 dark horse golfers to win the Green Jacket

By Cameron La Fontaine

Apr 13, 2014; Augusta, GA, USA; A general view of lawn chairs along the 18th green during the final round of the 2014 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2014; Augusta, GA, USA; A general view of lawn chairs along the 18th green during the final round of the 2014 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Vijay Singh tees off on the 7th during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Vijay Singh tees off on the 7th during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge . Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports /

Vijay Singh, Fiji

Find me a person who doesn’t love Vijay Singh, because I’d love to hear what they have to say. Almost everybody loves Singh and now that he’s 52, he’s been out of the winning game for a while. But he’s bounced back a little in 2015 with two top-25 finishes and I’d love to see him perform well at Augusta National which has had great play from 50+ year olds in recent years.

Vijay Singh turned pro way back in 1982 and has 34 PGA Tour wins to his name including a Masters win in 2000 and two PGA Championship victories (1998 and 2004). Singh’s last great season was in 2008 when he won the FedEx Cup after three victories including the first two PGA Tour playoff events which soared him to the top of the FedEx Cup standings. Singh had eight top-10’s during that year and six more in the top-25.

Since then, we’ve missed Vijay’s wining ways. He had a second place finish in 2014 and 2011, but hasn’t been back to the winner’s circle. Guys like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer have been successful in recent Masters tournaments, but haven’t been able to get it done. Regardless, consistent top 20’s from Couples and a top-10 from Langer last year show that anyone can win golf’s greatest event and I like Singh’s chances this year after he had a top-10 finish at the Valspar Championship and a T-12 finish at the Northern Trust Open.

Vijay is still pounding the ball over 290 yards on average and his approach game from 200-225 yards and 50-75 yards rank in the top 10 on tour, showing his versatility to get it done from anywhere on the golf course. Vijay is a strong player even as his game declines, but a Masters victory from the 52-year-old would be a great last hurrah for the Fiji native that has inspired so many people with his game over the years.

Vijay is a deep dark horse, but with the inspiring play of people like Couples at Augusta National in recent years, Singh will be going in knowing he has a good shot to be up there with the young guns and win the first major tournament of the year, his first major victory since 2004 when he won nine PGA Tour events. We miss you winning Vijay, and I don’t think anyone would be unhappy seeing this guy win another Green Jacket.

Next: Ryan Moore

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