Masters 2013: Full Expert Expectations for Golf's Underrated Stars

As we've seen throughout the years, anybody can go on a four-day run and capture the Masters. To say any golfer is a sure thing, even with the way Tiger Woods is playing this year, is ignoring history.

There are several contenders this year who have the talent to capture the green jacket at Augusta, whether they have a history of success at the major or not.

Here are five underrated stars who have the potential to steal the green jacket away from Tiger at the 2013 Masters.

Justin Rose

Mike McAllister, Rob Bolton, John Schwarb, Ryan Smithson, Anne Detlefsen, Brian Wacker and John Swantek of PGATour.com all have Justin Rose among their top four finishers this year at the Masters, but nobody has the 32-year-old winning his first career green jacket.

Smithson wrote, "We all know that Rose's chances lie squarely what he will do with the putter." 

Rose ranks 115th on tour in putting this season (strokes gained), per PGATour.com, but he averaged 28 putts per round when placing second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (tied for ninth in the field).

Golfweek senior writer Adam Schupak has Rose as his favorite this year:

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I’m impressed with his recent form. His ball striking is second to none, and his putting is vastly improved. He has raised his game another level. Rose has enough experience both at Augusta and battling on the back nine Sunday in big spots to produce when it matters most. I like his chances.

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Sports Illustrated senior writer Gary Van Sickle wrote, via Golf.com:

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He’s been a quick starter out of the gate at past Masters and been unable to sustain it, but his game has been slowly improving ever since he began working with teacher Sean Foley. His putting can be inconsistent but he’s been putting himself into position to win more and more often. If an English rose is going to bloom in Augusta, it’s going to be Justin.

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Adam Scott

Chris Dunham, Anne Detlefsen and Bryan Mullen of PGATour.com have Adam Scott as one of their top four finishers this year at Augusta.

Dunham, who has Scott winning the tournament, wrote:

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One week after a Scot gets back on track on the PGA TOUR, I'm looking for a Scott to win the first Masters for Australia. Scott has top-25 finishes in seven of the last eight majors including a T2 at the 2011 Masters. 

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AP golf writer Doug Ferguson has Scott finishing fourth this year, via the Miami Herald:

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After a decade of not seriously contending in a major, Scott has given himself excellent chances in each of the last two years at Augusta (2011) and Royal Lytham & St. Annes (2012). A light schedule is geared around being at his best when he plays.

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Keegan Bradley

Amanda Balionis of PGATour.com has Keegan Bradley finishing in the top four. She wrote, "I really was leaning towards Bradley, but am just not comfortable betting against Tiger."

Bradley is held in high regard by several experts from Golfweek. Jeff Babineau has the 26-year-old as his favorite, while Jim McCabe, Jeff Rude, Alistair Tait and Adam Schupak have Bradley as an intriguing underdog.

Babineau wrote:

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I realize Tiger Woods is the no-brainer here, and I believe Woods will be in the thick of things on the back nine Sunday. As well as he's putting, though, I'm not convinced he's leaving Augusta with another Green Jacket. Why do I like Bradley? He's long, he makes birdies, he's gritty, he wants to step up to the next level, and he has a good Augusta tutor in three-time champion Phil Mickelson.

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Kevin Garside of the Independent has Bradley as his favorite. He wrote, via BBC Sport:

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I'm a little bit wary of going big on that notion because he can be a little bit aggressive and sometimes lacks patience - and these greens can be brutal if you are impatient. But I still think he's got a great game for this course, particularly on the par fives, and he's in decent form.

 

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Matt Kuchar

Bill Cooney and Anne Detlefsen of PGATour.com have Matt Kuchar in their top four. 

Cooney, who has Kuchar winning the Masters this year, wrote:

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Does the favorite ever win the Masters? Doesn't seem like it. Woods will certainly contend, but Kuchar is on a roll this year plus he was T3 last season. He's rock solid, steady and just the kind of player that will hang around before sliding comfortably into a green jacket on Sunday night. 

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BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter expects Kuchar to have a big week, via BBC Sport:

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His game matches up well with Augusta and he has proved himself capable of winning big events with his victories at the Players' Championship and WGC Match Play. He came close last year and can look forward to a similarly exciting week this time. 

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K.J. Choi

K.J. Choi may be ranked No. 75 in the world, but he's a sleeper pick for more than a few experts this year at Augusta.

Bryan Mullen of PGATour.com actually has the 42-year-old winning this year:

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Choi will drive down Magnolia Lane with plenty of confidence after finishing in sixth place in San Antonio. Sure, he missed the cut last year at the Masters, but had a T8 in 2011 and is known to post low numbers during the weekends at Augusta. Choi knows the course well and will be making his 11th appearance. If he gets the putter going like he did last week, the fierce competitor has a great shot for his first green jacket.

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Lance Ringler of Golfweek has Choi as a promising underdog:

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Finished T-6 at Valero Texas Open and often plays well at Augusta. Has made seven of 10 cuts and placed in the top eight twice in his last three starts at the Masters.

 

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