Fansided

5 groups to watch in Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2018 Masters

By Luke Norris

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the 17th tee as Phil Mickelson looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the 17th tee as Phil Mickelson looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 03: Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson shake hands on the 18th green during the third round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on March 3, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 03: Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson shake hands on the 18th green during the third round of World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on March 3, 2018 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler

Thursday, Round 1: 1st tee, 1:27 p.m. ET

Friday, Round 2: 1st tee, 10:31 a.m. ET

Phil Mickelson comes to The Masters this week with a chance to make history. After nearly five years without a victory, Lefty finally got things together and won the WGC-Mexico Championship against a very strong field. If the 47-year-old, three-time Masters champion can put four good rounds together this week, he would become the oldest winner in tournament history, surpassing the great Jack Nicklaus, who made that incredible run in 1986 at the age of 46. Mickelson’s willingness to take chances always makes him dangerous…even if it’s to himself sometimes. But the Augusta crowd would eat up a Mickelson run and he’ll have a strong following as long as he hangs around. He finished tied for 22nd last year.

Matt Kuchar made a name for himself as an amateur at the 1998 Masters, smiling and playing his way to a tie for 21st, which was good for low amateur and a spot in the final ceremony. However, he struggled over the next few years and didn’t return to Augusta until 2002 and missed the cut. It would be eight more years before he came back again and he hasn’t missed the tournament or the weekend of the tournament since. He finished eighth or better for three consecutive years from 2012-2014 and finished tied for fourth last year. Most thought he would have a major by now but it just hasn’t happened for him. Will this be the week?

Speaking of someone everybody thought would have a major by now, we come to Rickie Fowler, who is seemingly always near the top of the leaderboard at majors. In 2014, he finished fifth or better at all four majors and it seemed like he was right on the brink. However, he didn’t really contend for the next two years but did fight back nicely last year, finishing tied for 11th at The Masters and tied for fifth at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He’s a very popular pick this week and if he can make the putts, he’s certainly going to be right there.

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