Our insiders on the state of Phil's game, Paul Casey's first PGA Tour win, Brittany Lincicome's amazing eagle and who will win a green jacket at Augusta
Every week of the 2009 PGA Tour season, the editorial staff of the SI Golf Group will conduct an e-mail roundtable. Check in on Mondays for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors.
Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Happy April everybody. Houston had wicked wind that blew Phil Mickelson right out of the tournament after 36 holes. He was my Masters pick, but now I'm worried. What's everybody make of Mickelson's unsightly swings and early exit? Is he toast for Augusta or was this just a blip? He's never won a major after missing the cut the tournament before.
Jim Herre, editor, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus: Playing in high winds the week before a major? Could be a problem.
Damon Hack, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: It was funny listening to him rationalize his week — that he was glad to get those swings out of his system. I didn't hear him say that at the BellSouth in 2006, when he won by 13 shots before heading to Augusta. Those swings meant he was locked in.
Farrell Evans, writer-reporter, Sports Illustrated: It's hard to say with Phil. After the first-round 77, he may have mailed it in with the 76, but I wouldn't put too much into it. Momentum is overrated. Trevor Immelman had played terribly all year before he won the Masters last year.
Dick Friedman, senior editor, Sports Illustrated: If he did mail in his second round, it could be like North Carolina losing in an early round of the ACC tournament before the NCAAs: rested and ready.
Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: I would never accuse Phil of quitting, but I'm sure he was happy to leave Houston early, avoiding further weather problems and scrambled tee times. I'm guessing he forgot all about his week long before it was wheels-up in the G-V.
Michael Bamberger, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: Alan nails it: Phil's got Houston in the rearview mirror. No carryover.
Gary Van Sickle, senior writer, Sports Illustrated: As a high-ball hitter, Phil rarely fares well in the wind. That's why the British Open figures to be the most difficult major for him to win, although the U.S. Open has turned out to be pretty tough for him too. I think Phil writes it off due to the weather, and it's forgotten.
Herre: Only problem, Alan, is that the next two days in Augusta are supposed to be cold and wet.
Jim Gorant, senior editor, Sports Illustrated Golf Plus: I know Butch flew in Friday night, and they did a little work on Saturday after Phil finished. Maybe that will help you sleep tonight Damon.
Hack: Few players can go from the outhouse to the penthouse (and back) as quickly as Phil. I'm sticking with him as my pick for the Masters, but I wonder if his performance had anything to do with Tiger's triumph at Bay Hill. It was as if being so close to that No. 1 ranking was like being to close to the sun. Same thing happened to Sergio.
Evans: I really don't think the No.1 ranking is that important for the major championships. Phil and Sergio understand that being No. 1 is purely a vanity thing unless you win the majors.
Gorant: I don't think Phil would trade a green jacket for No. 1, but if you don't think he'd love to steal that title, even if only for a little while, you're crazy.
Hack: I agree with Gorant. I think being No. 1 in the world means something to these guys. It's not as big as winning a major, but it says something about your body of work, no matter how cuckoo the ratings system is.
Gorant: Plus, the list of guys who have been No. 1 is short, and getting your name on that list during the Tiger era means something.
Hack: OK, everybody, Masters picks. Any changes after this week or last? I know I said I'm sticking with Phil, but I keep seeing that Tiger putt on the 72nd at Bay Hill. Phil didn't inspire any confidence this week.
Van Sickle: I'll stick with Tiger if he tweaks his position at the top of his backswing. Or even if he doesn't.
Shipnuck: My boy Ogilvy had another good week. He's a lock.
Evans: I like Tiger Woods or a Cinderella like Rory McIlroy. If Tiger shoots 68 on Thursday, the tournament is over — 280 will win.
John Garrity, contributing writer, Sports Illustrated: I'll go with Phil. Lefty always has an advantage when he can play those power fades, and Augusta still likes that shot shape, even with the changes.
Bamberger: I had high hopes for my close personal friend Davis M. Love III, but as they say, you can't win if you don't play. A shame for Trip, as he is (at times) swinging and playing so well now. I'm somewhat nervous about another of my favorites, Dustin Johnson. Yeah, he can dunk. I'm more concerned about his DWI arrest hangover. I think, Damon, what you're really asking is: who will win if Tiger doesn't? It won't be Fred, it won't be Paul Casey, it won't be Ernie or Padraig or Vijay. That leaves someone out of the Trevor tradition, or Phil. I'm going with Phil.
(From Website : http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1889575,00.html)
