Fantasy Central

Fantasy Island: Masters Tournament

By Golf Channel Digital
Apr 5, 2011 1:30 PM ET

GolfChannel.com experts offer up their picks for the the Masters Tournament. Each week a panel of experts will offer up their picks from three groups of players based on Golf Channel's new fantasy game, Fantasy Challenge. We will also keep track of their scores and standings. The panel consists of: senior writers Rex Hoggard and Randall Mell; contributors John Hawkins and Charlie Rymer; editorial director Jay Coffin; "Morning Drive" hosts Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias; contributor Win McMurry; writer for NBCSports.com's ProGolf Talk, Ryan Ballengee; and RotoWorld.com's Rob Bolton.

You can battle the experts and play along as well. Just click here to get into the game.

*Ranking among the 16 GolfChannel.com experts

Rex Hoggard

Rex Hoggard

Score (Rank*):

3,885,896 (3)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Padraig Harrington

Group C:
Lucas Glover

On this the bookmakers got it right. Lefty’s win in Houston vaults him atop the conversation at the Masters. Besides, there’s a reason why members of Mickelson’s inner circle refer to Augusta National as “Phil’s Playground.”

Although he’s been far from stellar this season he seems to be trending in the right direction in recent weeks (T-8 in Houston, T-10 at Doral) and the Irishman has plenty of experience, both good and bad, at the year’s first major.

Found something in his swing last weekend back home at Sea Island (Ga.) Resort and has a secret weapon in caddie Don Cooper, who grew up caddying at Augusta National.

Randall Mell

Randall Mell

Score (Rank):

2,031,006 (15)

Group A:
Matt Kuchar

Group B:
Geoff Olgilvy

Group C:
Aaron Baddeley

The big smile tops his memories as an amateur slipping on a green jacket.

It's time he makes his presence felt at Augusta National and makes a run for a second major.

The world better appreciates his gifted putting stroke amid the dogwoods and azaleas this week.

Charlie Rymer

Charlie Rymer

Score (Rank):

2,774,088 (10)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Bubba Watson

Group C:
Angel Cabrera

After lighting up Houston with 16 under on the weekend, I gotta go with with Mickelson.

Soft fairways will favor the bombers, at least early in the week, and Watson certainly qualifies as a bomber. Bubba may just prevail at Augusta.

Cabrera hasn't shown much form this year but the man does have a U.S. Open trophy tucked in his locker. It's right behind the green jacket.

John Hawkins

Score (Rank):

3,587,629 (7)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Bubba Watson

Group C:
Aaron Baddeley

He's not giving me much choice.

He may not win but I certainly like his chances of contending.

Comes off a nice week, quietly building a big year.

Jay Coffin

Score (Rank):

2,734,618 (11)

Group A:
Nick Watney

Group B:
Hunter Mahan

Group C:
Brandt Snedeker

It's difficult not to pick Phil but I like Watney's record at Augusta National in his three previous appearances, I like his current form and I like his right-to-left ball flight.

He's finished in the top-10 the last two years and is good enough to win a major championship now. It'd surprise me if he's not in contention Sunday.

This pick could either pan out or completely backfire. He had that great run in 2008 at the Masters, but this year has missed four cuts, but also has three top-10 finishes.

Gary Williams

Gary Williams

Score (Rank):

3,229,610 (8)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Bubba Watson

Group C:
Brandt Snedeker

With his win in Houston, Phil passed Tiger in the world ranking for the first time since the week before the 1997 Masters. He will take that momentum to a fourth green jacket this week.

Staying on the left-handed theme, Bubba Watson can shape shots better than almost anyone and Augusta National is a course that demands such shots. If his short game is on, watch out.

Finished T-3 in the Masters in 2008 and is having a bit of a volatile season where he is either finishing in the top 10 or missing the cut. Brandt loves Augusta National, so I think he will go top 10.

Erik Kuselias

Erik Kuselias

Score (Rank):
3,991,043 (2)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Bubba Watson

Group C:
Steve Marino

Let’s see: three-time champion, including last year; he dominated last weekend in Houston; and in 2006, he won in Atlanta the week before he won in Augusta. I like his chances.

He has played very well in 2011. Lost in a playoff in the last major of 2010, and although his Masters record is not great, it is easier to shape a fade than a draw so this southpaw is at an advantage.

While he has yet to win on the PGA Tour, Marino has a pair of runner-up finishes in 2011 and finished T-14 in his Masters debut in 2010. He knows how to make birdies and every champion in the last nine years has ranked in the top 10 in birdies for the week.

Win McMurry

Win McMurry

Score (Rank):
6,210,233 (1)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Hunter Mahan

Group C:
Steve Marino

He went back-to-back in 2006. With momentum, history, and the opportunity to defend this week, I have no bones about jumping on the “favorite” bandwagon.

He’s finished inside the top 10 in his last two starts at Augusta National. Add his five top-10s this season in only nine starts and he looks incredibly strong for the year’s first major.

Last year in his first Masters appearance Marino tied for 14th. That coupled with his runner-up finish at Bay Hill have me convinced he can make another run up the leaderboard.

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee

Score (Rank):

669,529 (16)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Hunter Mahan

Group C:
Aaron Baddeley

Defending champion. Shoots 128 over the weekend in Houston when he wasn't trying to win going into it. Three-time winner. This is his season, and he could match Tiger and Palmer with a win.

Two top-10s in each of the last two years is encouraging, as was his form in Houston. Actually, his whole year has been pretty solid.

He has already won once in 2011 and played well in Houston. Though an Aussie has never won the Masters, he seems like the best bet at this spin around Augusta National.

Rob Bolton

Rob Bolton

Score (Rank):

2,696,981 (12)

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Hunter Mahan

Group C:
Steve Marino

No sense overthinking this. Three-time champ and defending this week. Led the field in birdies in Houston. Dialed in.

Five top 10s in 2011, including a T8 in Houston. Top 10s in his last two starts here.

Two runner-up paydays in 2011. Finished T14 here last year, but needs to improve scoring on second nine at Augusta National. Played front 8-under, back 6-over.

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