Cunningham

However, I will stick with the formula that led me to pick Fowler last year. I’m looking for golfers who have signifificant experience at Augusta, which data show is important, but who aren’t over the hill. I’m de- emphasizing recent results if guys are doing good work around, and on, the greens.

The favorite, Bryson DeChambeau ( 8- 1), doesn’t check enough of those boxes. He’s played only two Masters tournaments as a pro, finishing tied for 38th in 2018 and tied for 29th in 2019. DeChambeau overpowered Winged Foot to win the U. S. Open in September. It will be fun to watch him try to do the same to Augusta, like Tiger used to do, but I doubt his ability to scramble.

Rory McIlroy ( 13 ½ - 1) is intriguing now that’s he’s not favored. But I can’t pick McIlroy when he’s always faded at the only major he hasn’t won. He was the 8- 1 chalk last year and fifinished tied for 21st. McIlroy was the 9- 1 favorite to win in 2018. He closed with a 74 and fifinished tied for fififth.

There’s a group of golfers

who have all the traits of a contender except meaningful experience at Augusta. The best among them, Brooks Koepka ( 17- 1), stopped playing in August because of knee and hip pain. I’ll pass. Jon Rahm

( 10 ½ - 1) has won two big tournaments since the restart, but he’s played only 12 rounds at Augusta. That’s not enough.

Lack of Augusta experience also is why I’m low on phenoms Collin Morikawa ( 35- 1) and Matthew Wolf ( 45- 1). The secondyear pros will make their fifirst starts. Morikawa, 23, won the PGA Championship in August, but missed the cut at Winged Foot. Wolf 21, was top fifive at the PGA and U. S. Open, but fifirst- timers rarely win at Augusta.

I’ve eliminated a lot of guys with a good chance to win. There are plenty left who have the right mix of talent and experience at Augusta. Those golfers include three returning champions with a chance to win again: Bubba Watson ( 2012 and 2014), Adam Scott ( 2013) and Patrick Reed ( 2018).

Scott ( 50- 1) hasn’t played since the U. S. Open. His plan to peak for the Masters was complicated when he contracted the novel coronavirus two

weeks ago. Reed ( 30- 1) has had a good year, but after finishing tied for 36th in his title defense last year, he has the look of a one- offff Masters winner.

It would be cool if Watson ( 33- 1) wins another green jacket. The University of Georgia alum bloomed late as pro, won the Masters twice and then suffered through a long slump in majors. Watson rediscovered his form at Augusta in 2018 ( fififth place) and 2019 ( 12th). He’s 42, but still hits it long ( 30th in driving distance on the tour this season).

The possibility of rain during the tournament is why I’m wary of picking Bubba to win. Watson does not like wet golf. He also won’t have his usual pro- Bulldogs contingent there to lift him up. Bubba might win again, but I can’t back him.

I’m choosing from among others who fifit my criteria: substantial experience with the course, enough game to win the Masters and not too old to pull it offffffffffff. Fowler and McIlroy are on that list, but I’ve explained why they aren’t my pick. Dustin Johnson ( 9- 1) also makes the cut, and there are more reasons to like his chances.

Johnson’s three victories this

year include the Tour Championship at East Lake. The PGA Championship was one of his three runner- up fifinishes. Johnson fifinished among the top 10 in his past four Masters starts. He was a top contender to win in 2017 when he had to withdraw because of a slip- and- fall accident.

This year, COVID- 19 was Johnson’s health issue. A positive test after his sixth- place fifinish at the U. S. Open forced Johnson to sit out. He returned to play the Houston Open last week and fifinished tied for second, three strokes better than Koepka.

The results aren’t the only reason to like Johnson’s odds to win. He’s a long hitter who’s also good with the irons. Johnson has been putting great. Johnson, the 2016 U. S. Open champion, is primed to win his second major.

Johnson isn’t the favorite to win the Masters, but only DeChambeau is getting shorter odds. He’s a safe pick by my standards. That’s not exciting, but I’m fine with it. Just because everything about this Masters is weird doesn’t mean I’m going to make a peculiar pick. Dustin Johnson wins the 2020 Masters.

CURTIS COMPTON/ CURTIS. COMPTON@ AJC. COM Dustin Johnson, drying offffa club during practiceWednesday at Augusta National, checks offffenough boxes tomake hima solid contender: He’s a long hitter still in his primewho’s also good with the irons, and he has been putting well lately.