Local pros have their say on the Masters

Kim Swan

Picks: Right off the bat you’ve Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and then you have Phil Mickelson — maybe there’s a Cinderella story with Phil there ready to play out. I’m sorry to go with the obvious but the big players are looking pretty good right now.

I think Tiger is on his game and his confidence has to be really high. Ernie Els is in my outsider category. He knows how to win, is a Hall of Famer and he’ll know there is nothing like being a Masters champion for life where you can turn up every year. His exemption (after winning last year’s British Open) won’t last forever so he’ll know he won’t have too many other chances.

Key to Augusta: You’ve got be a good putter and a good driver. Driver to get your ball in position and you won’t win if you’re not a good putter. The greens are so severe and the atmosphere is electric.

Kim Swan is the Teaching Pro at Port Royal Golf Course. Contact Kim at [email protected] or 533-8321 

Paul Adams

Picks: I hope Tiger Woods wins the Masters, then we might get him to play here in the Grand Slam!

Personally, I would love to see Ian Poulter win, as he is a huge inspiration. 

He is one of the best pressure putters in the world so I expect him to do well, but not sure he has quite the game to actually win the Masters.

My dark horse would be Branden Grace, a big sensation on the European Tour — I think he will break through on to the PGA tour this year.

Key to Augusta: Putting, putting and putting, and putting is quite important!

Paul Adams is the golf professional at Tucker’s Point. Contact Paul at [email protected] or 300-6930

Scott Roy

Picks: I highlight Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood and Steve Stricker as my picks to win the Masters, with the veteran Steve Stricker taking his rightful place on top.

Correct that Stricker has not won an event yet this year, like Kuchar and Snedeker, but in the four events he has played he has placed in the top 10 three times and is no stranger to the leaderboard at the Masters. 

Key to Augusta: Augusta National is a course you have to know, respect and pay your dues to before you can even think about taming it against the best players in the world. 

Stricker has done this over the years and he has the patience to see it to the end. Being a great putter and having a sharp short game are two things you need at Augusta National, and at the top of those categories is Steve Stricker.

Scott Roy is a PGA of Bermuda member and golf instructor. Contact Scott at [email protected] or 799-7394.