Fansided

The Masters: 5 pairings that will be guaranteed must-see TV

By David Salituro

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Tiger Woods of the United States walks up the ninth fairway passing the main leaderboard during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Tiger Woods of the United States walks up the ninth fairway passing the main leaderboard during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after saving par on No. 13 during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 7, 2018. (Photo by Charles Laberge/Augusta National via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after saving par on No. 13 during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 7, 2018. (Photo by Charles Laberge/Augusta National via Getty Images) /

4. Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Cameron Smith (11:15 a.m./2:00 p.m.)

Rory McIlroy heads into the Masters this year as the best player in the world and prohibitive favorite to win the Green Jacket. The Northern Irishman has been inside the top-10 in all seven PGA Tour events this year, including a win at the Players Championship. He leads the tour in total strokes gained, off-the-tee and tee-to-green, and is sixth in driving distance and third in scoring average. McIlroy has also played well at Augusta National, with top-10 finishes each of the last five years.

Still, the Masters title is the only thing keeping McIlroy from the career Grand Slam. In 2011 he took a four-shot lead into the final round before shooting 80 on Sunday to fall to 15th. Last year he was paired with Patrick Reed in the final group but shot 74 and finished fifth. McIlroy will never have a better opportunity to win the elusive Green Jacket than he does this year, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday.

Rickie Fowler nearly stole the Masters title from Reed last year, birding six of his last 11 holes to finish a shot behind. Fowler also finished in fifth in 2014. Often burdened with the dreaded label “best player without a major,” Fowler believes the time when he shakes that off is closer than ever. “I’m more ready than I’ve ever been,” he said on Monday. “I’m not saying that I can sit up here and tell you I’m definitely going to go win, but I like my chances.”

For a potential underdog pick, look no further than Cameron Smith. The Australian finished fifth in only his second Masters appearance last year, during which he ranked third in the field in strokes gained: approach to the green.

Home/The Masters