Kuchar Has Chance To Move To Top Of Masters Favorites List

Ryan Lavner on Shell Houston Open third round leader Matt Kuchar, quietly improving his game each week in the build up to Augusta. But first he has to finish off the Shell. He leads Sergio Garcia by four.

On the parity that has things so wide open heading into the Masters.

The PGA Tour has endured a months-long power outage. Only one player, Zach Johnson, has won an event while ranked inside the top 10 in the world. Jason Day is the only other top-15 player to win an event this season.

“There’s a lot of depth in the game of golf,” Kuchar said.

There’s little doubt that parity is the PGA Tour’s new reality, but it poses a problem for both the casual fan, who has little interest in rooting for the 100th-ranked player in the world, and the elite player, who prefers having a dominant stud to measure his game against.

Kuchar, with a nice track record at Augusta, is currently a very attractive 20-1.

Comments

[OWGR Fan]

Previous performance (golf, stock market, etc.) in a vacuum does not guarantee future performance (golf, stock market, etc.) in the same vacuum.

Almost winning a major event in golf in the near past does not mean you will win one in the near future regardless of the level
of perceived talent one has or press clippings. Golf is littered with this type of player. History has proven this to be quite accurate.

[PA PLAYA]

I'm not sure exactly when the last time it was that a guy won the week prior and then went on to win the Masters the following week, but I'm guessing it was Phil Mickelson?

Phil's not going to win this week unless something crazy happens this afternoon, but a good round will certainly do wonders for his confidence next week. Kuchar is 2/4 in closing out wins with the lead heading into the final round, but then again I don't recall if he ever had a comfortable cushion like he has today. I think he'll need to post a red number today, but that doesn't seem like much of a challenge the way he's played this season.

[jjshaka]

Kuchar at 20/1 is tempting but I like someone with a bit lower odds.
My gut tells me "The Politician" is going to get #4, especially without Tiger lurking about.

[meefer]

'There's so much depth out here' is a quote I hope I never hear again. How about, 'I made 750K this week finishing 2nd, that's pretty damned good.'

[the pricipal's nose]

If Kiuchar wins this week, I will certainly scratch him from next week's possibilities of slipping on a green jacket. Odds are against winning two weeks in a row, much less a tour event followed by a major. Would you double up if he won this week and Wednesday Par 3 contest? Didn't think so.

Mickleson pulled off a rarity in Scotland last year. Probably cost the punters a few quid. Just doesn't happen very often. Can't make money betting the favorite. How much money has been won betting the favorite (aka Woods) the last 20 or so majors?

Question (fantasy of course): When was the last time that Woods, Nicklaus, Player, and Palmer were given the same odds of winning in the same week?

[The Pro from Dover]

Looks like McIlroy is trending in the right direction.....closing with 65 today. I would bet on McIlroy head to head over Kuchar if had to choose.

Perhaps a saw-buck or two on Schwartzel, Adam Scott, and Day might prove profitable.

Looking forward to being in Augusta this week and the real beginning of the golf season! Great week ahead.

[Matt H.]

Kuchar at 80-1 is tempting. Mickleson at 50-1. Golf odds are ridiculous. That said, I don't see Kuchar winning a masters, but the way he played yesterday would get the job done.

[BrianS]

Good job by NBC and GC for showing the event live online. Honestly, it would be nice if all the events were over by 3:30 instead of 6:30 each Sunday.

[Ryan]

After his recent collapses, you would be a fool to bet any money on Kuchar. He hasn't got the nerves for it...

[Sari]

Yet another 54 hole leader spits the bit. We were spoiled by Tiger all these years.

[Joe Ezar]

Not so spoiled since the "hydrant incident" in that Tiger has 'only' won 8 times following the encounter with the Orange County Water Department...................he was the best in his era however.

[Press Agent]

I personally wouldn't bet on McIlroy, I don't see it happening this year.
Sari, long before Tiger, there were lots of players who played strong on Sunday with the lead. Anyway, I wouldn't call what Kuchar did 'spitting the bit' he played pretty well considering the conditions etc, really it was one bad shot that cost him.

[tlavin]

Kuchar looked a little balky with the flat stick when I was watching. Jones' chip in to win was Larry Mize-like.

[Sari]

Press Agent I wish I could find that Diaz article from a while back that catalogues the percentages of those closing going back to Nicklaus days. You'd be surprised at some of them.

[DC]

@ Sari. Found the article.

"Woods' career 92-percent closing average in PGA Tour events--going on to win 48 of 52 times when holding or sharing the 54-hole lead--is his greatest record. Since 1980, when the PGA Tour began keeping track, the rate for all players has been just a shade better than 40 percent. When asked once if his ability to close was his biggest advantage over his peers, Woods' answer was a knowing "probably."

Read More http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/2012-02/gwar-jaime-diaz-final-say#ixzz2yCrFSJvF

[Sari]

Thanks, DC. 40%. Yikes.