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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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CHASKA, MN – OCTOBER 02: Justin Rose of Europe speaks to Dustin Johnson of the United States after the United States defeated Europe to win the Ryder Cup during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHASKA, MN – OCTOBER 02: Justin Rose of Europe speaks to Dustin Johnson of the United States after the United States defeated Europe to win the Ryder Cup during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Rafa Cabrera-Bello

Thursday, Round 1: 1st tee, 2:00 p.m. ET

Friday, Round 2: 1st tee, 11:04 a.m. ET

Going off in the last group in the first round is world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, who has to be looking for a bit of redemption. Coming into last year’s Masters as the clear favorite, Johnson took a spill at his rental house and had to miss the tournament. It was extremely unfortunate for the golf world as a whole but specifically for DJ himself. A year later, however, the world’s top-ranked player is ready to make a run at a green jacket and is bringing all of that power (the guy recently hit a 489-yard drive) with him. He got off to a fast start in 2018 with a win at the Tournament of Champions and his lowest finish in five stroke-play events this year was a tie for 16th at the Genesis Open. He finished ninth or better in the rest, including a runner-up finish at Pebble Beach. Johnson finished tied for sixth at The Masters in 2015 and tied for fourth in his last appearance in 2016. He’s moving in the right direction and has to be considered the favorite this week.

Is there anyone more consistent in golf these days than world No. 5 Justin Rose? After coming so close to winning The Masters last year, losing in a playoff to Sergio Garcia, Rose has won three tournaments around the world and always seems to be lurking near the top of the leaderboard of any tournament he’s in. He’s made the cut in 16 consecutive starts and finished eighth or better in three of his last four stroke-play events. Okay, he didn’t play that well at the Match Play but he’ll be ready to go come Thursday afternoon and you can fully expect him to be in contention on Sunday.

If you’ve never sat and watched Rafa Cabrera-Bello play golf, you’re missing out. The 33-year-old Spaniard doesn’t win a ton (he does have three European Tour wins under his belt) but he does consistently contend and does it with style. What most would remember from him in the past year, outside of his tie for fourth at The Open Championship, was his finish at last year’s PLAYERS Championship. Coming to the 16th at 2-under, he made a double-eagle at the par-5 16th, the first in tourney history, birdied the famed 17th and then made an incredible par at the last to sneak into a tie for fourth at 6-under. A little of that magic at Augusta could go a long way.

Next: Top 10 shots in Masters history

Which groups will you be following during the first two rounds of The Masters? Who do you think will head into the weekend with the lead? Feel free to join in the conversation in the comments section below.

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