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The Masters 2018: Predictions, picks and sure bets

By Luke Norris

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: The flag blows in the breeze in front of a leaderboard on the 17th green during the first round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: The flag blows in the breeze in front of a leaderboard on the 17th green during the first round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 22: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 22, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 22: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 22, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

1. Dustin Johnson

One year ago, Dustin Johnson came into The Masters as a monster favorite, the biggest since Tiger’s dominating years. However, he was unable to compete after taking a nasty spill at his rental house and had to enjoy the tournament as a spectator. He still has to be looked at as the man to beat with his length and overall domination of the sport over the past 15 months. He didn’t fare well at the Match Play but in five stroke play tournaments in 2018, he has a win and his lowest finish was a tie for 16th at the Genesis Open. He also had a T-4 finish in his last appearance at Augusta in 2016. He’ll be around on Sunday.

2. Justin Thomas

World No. 2 Justin Thomas, who also just happens to be the last player to win a major, is going to be the top player in the world at some point. He’s going to win a green jacket at some point as well. There’s a really good shot that could be this year. Since the beginning of 2017, Thomas has six victories and one of those came recently at The Honda Classic. In the two tournaments he’s played since then, he finished second at the WGC-Mexico and fourth in the Match Play. Yeah, he’s playing well enough to win at Augusta.

3. Jon Rahm

After finishing 2017 with a win on the European Tour and getting off to a hot start in 2018, including a second-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and a win at the CareerBuilder Challenge, Jon Rahm has cooled off a bit and has only finished inside the top 20 one time in his last five appearances. With so many players playing so well right now, he’s going to need to get it together to get in the hunt on the weekend.

4. Jordan Spieth

After missing the cut at the Valspar Championship, Jordan Spieth had a decent showing at the Match Play and then got some tune-up work done in Houston and finished in a tie for third. He looked very sharp with three of four rounds in the 60s, including a final-round 66, and his game is in great shape heading to Augusta. Oh yeah, he won here with a record-tying 18-under total just three years ago. Think he’s ready for that second green jacket yet?

5. Justin Rose

There aren’t many players more consistent than Justin Rose. Since a disappointing missed cut at the PGA Championship last year, Rose hasn’t missed another cut and has reeled off three victories, five additional top-five finishes and five more top-10s. He’s jumped 10 places in the world rankings and is poised to win his second major championship. You can almost give him a top 10 right now.

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