5 Golfers with Best Chance to Win the Masters

The Masters is the only major that Rory McIlroy has yet to capture, but that could easily change this week. 

Taking place at the most prestigious golf course in the world, there is nothing comparable to Augusta National. Golfers from all over the world dream of playing in this momentous tournament, with the vision of one day being able to wear the coveted green jacket.

Amongst so much history starting with Gene Sarazen’s double-eagle in 1935 to Bubba Watson’s miracle playoff hook shot in 2012, the Masters never disappoints in excitement. 

With the 2015 Masters Tournament just around the Amen corner, here are five players with the best chance to win this year’s tournament.

Honorable Mentions

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Tiger Woods

Although Tiger Woods' time off to recover from injuries and swing issues could mean much needed rejuvenation, he’s not going to win.

The four-time Masters champion has only finished outside the top six once since his last victory in 2005. Unfortunately, his recent play has everyone very skeptical.

According to Jim McCabe of Golfweek (h/t SB Nation), Woods shot 74 in a practice round last week and his short game was weak. Therefore, it doesn't look too promising for Woods to capture his 15th career major this week. 

Patrick Reed

With a victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January and two other victories in the last 15 months, Patrick Reed’s career is off to a blazing start.

Reed almost won his second tournament of the season, but ultimately lost to Jordan Spieth in a playoff at the Valspar Championship. Although Reed is fourth in the FedEx Cup standings and is one of the more consistent players on the PGA Tour, his experience in major championships is not quite there yet. 

In four career majors, Reed has only made the cut twice. Reed’s game is probably good enough to win a major, but his lack of success thus far could prove troublesome. 

Phil Mickelson

With 14 career top 10 finishes at the Masters, Phil Mickelson's name needs to mentioned. 

Although he hasn't won a green jacket since 2010, Mickelson always seems to be in contention throughout the tournament. Missing the cut last year should bring much needed motivation as he attempts to capture his fourth career Masters crown.

Mickelson has yet to earn a top 10 finish on the PGA Tour this season, but he's shown flashes of brilliance. Although it seems unlikely that he'll win this week, it wouldn't be a surprise to see his name near the top of the leaderboard. 

Bubba Watson

For someone who has owned Augusta National over the past few years, it’s crazy to see him off the list, right? However, the reason he’s not in the top five is because no player has ever won the Masters three times in four years.

Although his game sets up perfectly for Augusta National, winning the same major three out of four years is almost impossible. In a shortened season thus far, Watson hasn’t finished worse than T14, so his game is in a solid state. However, being a defending champion at the Masters means a lot of responsibilities.

Watson will be involved with multiple interviews, dinners and, most importantly, the jacket presentation, so his mind might not be as focused. Watson finished T50 in 2013 after his first Masters victory, so expect somewhat of a similar finish this year. 

5. Jimmy Walker

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Fresh off a victory at the Valero Texas Open, Jimmy Walker is one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour.

Walker participated in his first Masters last year, finishing T8. Walker also strung together top 10 finishes in the U.S Open and PGA Championship, proving that the Masters wasn’t beginners luck. Although he doesn’t have a lot of experience in major championships, he’s played very well in the tournaments he’s participated in.

Walker's biggest strengths are his driving and putting skills, which is what a player needs to excel at in order to win the Masters. Therefore, if Walker can continue his great season of being 17th in driving distance and second in putting (per hole), he’ll have a legitimate chance at winning his first career major.

4. Jason Day

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Even at only 27 years old, Jason Day is one of those guys who could be considered as the best to never win a major. 

Not including withdrawing in 2012, Day has a T2 and third-place finish in two of his last three Masters appearances. Day also has three top four finishes at the U.S. Open and continues to prove that he’s a big-game player. 

Ranking fourth in the Official World Golf Rankings, Day is poised to win his first career major. With a victory already under his belt this season after winning the Farmers Insurance Open and three other top five finishes, Day's game is as steady as anyone.

Day's name should be present on the first page of the leaderboard all week, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the final group Sunday.

3. Dustin Johnson

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Dustin Johnson has not had much career success at Augusta National, but the new and improved player has a legitimate chance at winning this year.

Johnson already has a victory at the Cadillac Championship and lost in a playoff at the Northern Trust Open this year. After missing time due to his suspension, Johnson seems to be more focused and hungry to show the golf world that he's back.

His distance, which ranks first on the PGA Tour, will be a huge factor in his ability to win. Also, his solid putting this season, which ranks ninth, will be the key to victory. Johnson has had previous success in major championships, coming very close to winning. However, this may be the week it actually happens. 

With two missed cuts and four finishes within the top six this year, it may be a "go big or go home" week for Johnson. 

2. Jordan Spieth

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The words "21-year-old" and "Masters champion" aren’t usually said in the same sentence, but that could change April 12.

Spieth finished T2 at last year’s Masters and was not a happy camper during it. His on-course antics were childish, and he didn’t conduct himself in the way a professional should during his first Masters appearance.

However, after one year to reflect and mature after his impressive showing, Spieth is primed for another successful tournament. Spieth is arguably the hottest player on the PGA Tour right now, and his season thus far has been quite impressive.

Spieth's last three tournaments leading into the Masters have gone like this: first at the Valspar Championship, second at the Texas Open and lost in a playoff at the Shell Houston Open.

At such a young age, Spieth is no stranger to big tournaments and could find himself as the youngest Masters champion since Tiger Woods.

1. Rory McIlroy

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

For anyone who has criticized McIlroy because he hasn’t won a PGA Tour event this season should think twice.

McIlroy is still the world’s No. 1 golfer—deservingly so—and has won the last two major championships. Ever since his back-nine collapse at the 2011 Masters Tournament, McIlroy’s game has grown tremendously, and he is definitely the favorite to win. 

If McIlroy wants to truly transition into the next Tiger Woods, he’s going to have to win the Masters to become one major away from the “Rory Slam.” No player has won three consecutive majors since Woods, so McIlroy has a chance to do something very special, which not many people have been talking about.

The Masters has been haunting McIlroy for quite some time, but this will be the year that he finally takes home the green jacket.