Gulf News asked experts from the UAE’s golf industry who they think will conquer Augusta National and slip into the Green Jacket at this week’s Masters Tournament.
Stuart Taylor – General Manager at Prosports International
My pick for the Masters is Cameron Young. I feel like he’s been knocking on the door at a few Major Championships and he’s got the length for the course - I think he’s due to get one over the line.
Dark horse
Even though he’s played in the Ryder Cup, I’m going with Ludvig Åberg as my outsider. His game suits the course, he hits it high and long – those guys have an advantage when playing Augusta National.
Thomas Love - Director of Agronomy at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
It’s hard to ignore Scottie Scheffler at the moment as he is on fire, even though he has the craziest footwork in the game!
Dark horse
My slight outside chance pick would be Min Woo Lee, but Tiger is in the field. I feel like you’re not a golf fan if you don’t want Tiger to win!
Robert Fiala - Operations and Marketing Manager at the Emirates Golf Federation
I’m going with Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood as the champion of the Masters Tournament. It would be good for the game and he usually plays well at Augusta National.
Dark horse
Jasper Stubbs, who won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club last year, will make the cut on his tournament debut.
Tom Rourke – General Manager at The Els Club
My prediction for this year is Brooks Koepka. He was the 54-hole leader of the tournament last year before unfortunately blowing his chances to win a first Green Jacket. I think he will learn from that experience and do really well by going one better to win the tournament.
Dark horse
My outside pick is Dustin Johnson. I say this because not many people are talking about him, but he’s done well at the Masters before and his right to left ball flight seems to suit playing Augusta National – I think he’s very underrated right now. These two picks are a little controversial as they are both LIV Golf players, but with their experience in previous years at the tournament, I think they are in for a very strong championship.
Michael Bolt- PGA Teaching Professional at Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy
I think it’s hard to look past Scottie Scheffler. If he putts even half decently, his long game is going to stand up really well around Augusta National, as he drives the ball so well and his iron play is obviously the best in the world right now. If he can string some positive strokes gained putting rounds together, he is going to be right there. I also think horses for courses around Augusta, with Brooks Koepka playing some superb golf and obviously has superb form around the track, having been in the mix a number of times. He will be right there come Sunday.
Dark horse
Probably heart leading the head a little bit here, but it would be awesome to see Tiger manage to play four rounds. If he does stay fit for four rounds and plays anything near like he can around there, you never know on the back nine on Sunday – he could string together some really cool holes to leave us with a really exciting finish.
Stephen Deane, Head International Development Coach at Dubai Golf
I think Brooks Kopeka should get it done this time around. He’s finished second twice there, obviously last year and in 2019, and he’s heading into this edition fully fit, so I just feel he will get it done.
Dark horse
Will Zalatoris for me. He’s playing really well recently following his back injury, which kept him out of last year’s Masters Tournament. In 2021, he finished one shot back of champion Hideki Matsuyama before finishing in tied sixth in 2022. He's also had some really strong results on the PGA Tour this season, so I think he will be right up there.
Jonathan Craddock, PGA Professional at the Peter Cowen Academy Dubai
Firstly, it’s nice to see all the players compete against one another again for the first time this year, with LIV players barred from playing PGA Tour events. Scottie Scheffler is hands down the favourite, but I’m going with Rory McIlroy or Brooks Koepka to take home the title.
Dark horse
I’ve got to go with Tiger Woods. It’s nice to see him play an event again, but he probably won’t finish. So, having said that, Joaquin Niemann is another to keep an eye on with the success that he has had this year already. He’s a really good player.
Michael Major - Director of Golf at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
The obvious pick is Scottie Scheffler. We’ve not really had anyone dominate the world of golf as he has done the last six months since Tiger Woods in his heyday. He’s definitely the man to beat, if he putts well then it’s his trophy to take home. Joaquin Niemann will be another to keep an eye on. A lot of speculation about LIV Golf and whether he should be playing or not, but of course he should and it’s great to see the Masters invite somebody who has done so well on a Tour that currently doesn’t get any World Ranking points. He’s been playing some of the best golf in the last six months and rightly should be there.
Dark horse
I always go for the best left-handed golfer, as Augusta sets up really well for a left-hander, hitting a high fade or a soft fade into the greens. He's not really a dark horse as he’s the best ranked lefty in the world and that’s Brian Harman. If you can choose a dark horse who is ranked eighth in the world then that’s my pick!
