Check in to GOLF’s Tour Confidential every Sunday night for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the Masters at Augusta National, we’ll hit one key topic every night.
Justin Rose (seven under) leads the Masters, but several of the game’s biggest names will need to put together strong rounds on Friday to keep up. Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa headline the group at even par and Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele are all one over. Which marquee player charges up the leaderboard on Friday?
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): I’ll go with Xander Schauffele. He was three over thru 11 but battled back to post one-over 73. Those sorts of gritty rounds are what separates the best from the rest. I’d expect him to come back and post something in the 60s on Friday to get himself in the hunt.
Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Ludvig Aberg firing a 32 on the back nine to shoot 68 is going to be a problem. We forget the last guy who finished second in his Masters debut won in his second try (Spieth). I say he’s in the lead going to the weekend with Scheffler close behind.
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens): Collin Morikawa played a quiet round today that ended with a bogey. But he still finished at even par, a reminder of how high a bar he has been setting this year. He came close last year. No reason to think he won’t be in the thick of things as we move to the weekend.
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I want to say Rory, but the final four holes on Thursday were so dispiriting that I can’t do it. The wind is completely out of my sails on that front. I’m going to go with Justin Thomas. JT did a really nice job to shoot 73 on a day where he was scraping it all over Augusta National. We know he can get nuclear hot, and I think the closing birdie on Thursday will propel him toward a Friday surge. Don’t be surprised if Viktor Hovland, who is at one under, makes a move and is in one of the final pairings on Saturday.
Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@Jess_Marksbury): I’m feeling inspired by Bryson DeChambeau! It’s always hard to gauge how the LIV players will fare at the year’s first major but Bryson appears to be picking up right where he left off last year.
Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): Patrick Reed shot one under despite wanting to throw his misbehaving putter into Rae’s Creek. If he can get his flatstick sorted, watch out!
