Masters 2015: Analyzing Leaderboard Results for Underrated Names at Augusta
By now, folks know all about the big names at the 2015 Masters.
Jordan Spieth wowed the globe, breaking loads of records in the process and perhaps ushering in a new era. Tiger Woods managed to play Sunday. Phil Mickelson put on his best challenge in years.
What about the lesser-known names? Those players young and old who can use the launching pad at Augusta as a means to contention further down the road?
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Let's take a look at some underrated names to monitor moving forward after notable performances this past weekend.
Analyzing Underrated Augusta Finishers
Charley Hoffman
What does Charley Hoffman need to do to get some recognition?
Finishing tied for 11th at the Valero Texas Open and Shell Houston Open before the Masters wasn't enough. Fine. Shooting two birdies and an eagle over three of his last four holes to card a 67 Thursday wasn't enough, nor was a 68 Friday.
Instead of focusing on the 38-year-old's epic run, he fell behind in the recognition department thanks to Spieth's historic outing.
Peter Alliss put a humorous twist on Hoffman's status:
Granted, Hoffman imploded with a 71 Saturday and a 74 Sunday, but he still finished tied for ninth 10 strokes off the lead.
For a guy who hasn't played in the tournament in each of the past three seasons, it's a great sign. The California native may have faded down the stretch, but such a thing happens when attempting to be more aggressive to catch up to a history-making 21-year-old.
It's hard to imagine Hoffman's strong form doesn't carry over to the rest of the season. If able to play in such a strong manner at the touch-based Augusta, he'll find more success and make a few surprise top-five finishes.
Ian Poulter
When the dust settled at Augusta, the name sticking out at tied for sixth was Dustin Johnson, not Ian Poulter.
Perhaps it's best to give the 39-year-old Englishman another look.
Poulter's placement on the leaderboard is the best of his career, as well as the fourth time he's tied for sixth or better in his last nine tournaments. He struggled a bit out of the gates with a 73 and 72, then posted back-to-back 67s on the final two days, tallying just one bogey in the process.
For his part, Poulter says it's just a matter of getting his putter in form:
Should he do so, Poulter is not one to underestimate moving forward.
An incredible finish at Augusta, strong overall form and ranking 10th on the tour in scoring average (70.100), per PGATour.com, means Poulter won't stop contending for titles anytime soon.
Hideki Matsuyama
While not as impressive as Spieth for obvious reasons, it's worth noting the damage 23-year-old Hideki Matsuyama continues to do.
Matsuyama landed right behind Rory McIlory at 11 under par. While he didn't shoot lower than a 70 over the course of the first three days, Matsuyama hung around and put on an epic Sunday performance with a bogey-free 67 thanks to four birdies and an eagle on No. 13.
The implications on his future showings are obvious, as golfshake points out:
Not bad for a guy who missed the cut at Augusta last year.
The numbers are there. Matsuyama ranks seventh in total strokes gained (1.611) and 13th in scoring average (70.163), per PGATour.com. So, too, are recent results, as he now boasts four top-five finishes over his last eight appearances.
While the globe focuses on another young gun as the season continues, it is Matsuyama who showed his recent form and numbers are no joke with an epic final round at Augusta. His parlaying those factors into serious contention sooner rather than later seems a given.
Stats and info courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise specified.
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