There shouldn’t be much debate about golf’s most improved player in 2021. Sure, Hideki Matsuyama blew away some rust to win the Masters, and Phil Mickelson, of course, did something extraordinary by winning the PGA Championship when most thought he was ready for the seniors’ events, but those were one-off performances. No player in golf has had a turnaround quite like Jordan Spieth.

The Texan has recorded eight Top 10 finishes since February, a run that includes a Valero Open victory and third place in the Masters. He is not quite at the 2015-2017 level of ridiculous dominance, but he is not far off it either. Spieth is most definitely back, and he should be in the hunt for Majors again. The 149^th Open (July 15^th – 18^th) at Royal St George’s should be top of his list. 

 
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Hideki Matsuyama finished strong at the Augusta National to claim victory at the 2021 Masters. The Japanese golfer won the 2021 Masters ahead of Will Zalatoris for his first major triumph, which must have gotten the golf punters by surprise. Matsuyama shot a final round 73 to finish with a 10 under par score, one shot ahead of the American. He has been bunched together with his competitors before the weather caused an hour-long delay on Saturday. After that, he propelled himself to the lead in the third round with some entertaining golf. 

The par-three contest at the Masters gives the players an opportunity to let their hair down. It has a unique feel to it and caters to the family and friends of the players. Often there will be wives, children, grandchildren, and friends caddying. Caddies are encouraged to hit shots during the contest, which makes for fantastic viewing. It does, however, rule out a player’s eligibility to win the event should their caddie hit a shot.

This isn’t a problem for most of the players, as winning the par-three contest is believed to be bad luck. No one who has ever won the par-three shootout has gone on to claim a Green Jacket – so making themselves ineligible to win is often one of the goals. There are some who don’t buy into the superstition and give winning a good go, however.

Tom Watson was one and it is to be expected, at 68 years of age, Watson’s chances of taming Augusta are virtually nil. The eight-time major winner could afford to tempt fate by trying to win the par-three contest as he no longer competes in the main event. Watson bowed out of the Masters in 2016 when he made his final appearance.

“Tom Watson and caddy, Turnberry“(CC BY-ND 2.0)by StartAgain …