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Posted April 3, 2018, 9:43 pm
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Packed field could force Masters playoff

PGA Tour seeing plenty of extra action this season
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    Packed field could force Masters playoff
    Photos description
    Tiger Woods, caddie Tim Mickelson and Phil Mickelson arrive at the 13th green during the second practice round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Augusta, Georgia. [ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]
  • Article Photos
    Packed field could force Masters playoff
    Photos description
    Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson bump fists on the 15th green during their practice round Tuesday. The unlikely duo drew large galleries as they played the back nine against Fred Couples and Thomas Pieters. [MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF]

When Sergio Garcia beat Justin Rose on the first hole of sudden death last year, it broke a streak of three Masters Tournaments without a playoff.

Don’t be surprised to see another streak begin this year.

As usual, the world's best players (59 of the top 60) are at Augusta National Golf Club this year for the 82nd Masters.

But it’s been years since a Masters has shaped up to be this competitive. More top players (Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Rose, Jason Day, Jon Rahm and Bubba Watson) enter Thursday’s first round with wins already under their belts than typical. Tiger Woods hasn’t won, but he’s been in contention in his past three starts.

It’s safe to say Woods’ 12-shot margin-of-victory record from 1997 is safe.

PHOTOS: Tiger and Phil's Tuesday Practice Round

“I think it could be (another playoff),” said former U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson. “We have less players who are dominating and running away with golf tournaments. I think the odds are pretty high.”

The strength of the fields on the PGA Tour this season has resulted in nine playoffs in 23 events compared with two at this point of the season last year.

“The competition is getting tight,” Day said. “That’s why you’re seeing a lot of playoffs these days and the leaderboards are bunched.

“There’s a lot of talent in the pool now and there’s not really too many big fish anymore,” Day added. “There’s like just a lot of medium-large fish that are just trying to chomp at each other.”

The biggest fish in the pond this season is still last year’s top player, Thomas, who won five times. This season, he’s won twice and lost in a playoff. The other multiple winners this season are Watson and Patton Kizzire.

If Thomas wins, he would move past Johnson to No. 1, no matter what Johnson did.

Thomas had the chance to move to No. 1 for the first time in his career at the Match Play Championship last week with a victory in the semifinals, but he lost to eventual champion Watson.

“It’s very important to me,” Thomas said of being the No. 1-ranked player in the world.

PHOTOS: More Photos from the Tuesday Practice Round

“It’s a huge goal of mine. But at the end of the day, if I just continue to play well and continue to be in contention to win tournaments and win tournaments, it’s something I feel like that’s going to take care of itself.”

The most popular storyline would be a victory by the 42-year-old Woods, who has regained form on his third comeback after back injuries. He’s going for his fifth green jacket, and his first in 13 years. It would also be his first major championship in 10 years.

“There’s some great stories with Tiger back and a lot of the young guys, the older guys, medium-age guys,” said two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer. “You’ve got great champions at all ages, and they all seem to have a possible chance. So all that is fantastic leading up to the tournament, and we’ll see how it all comes out."

 

Masters Record - Woods

Year Place Score Round Earnings
1 2 3 4
2015 T17 -5 73 69 68 73 $ 155,000
2013 T4 -5 70 73 70 70 $ 352,000
2012 T40 +5 72 75 72 74 $ 32,000
2011 T4 -10 71 66 74 67 $ 330,667
2010 T4 -11 68 70 70 69 $ 330,000
2009 T6 -8 70 72 70 68 $ 242,813
2008 2 -5 72 71 68 72 $ 810,000
2007 T2 +3 73 74 72 72 $ 541,333
2006 T3 -4 72 71 71 70 $ 315,700
2005 1 -12 74 66 65 71 $ 1,260,000
2004 T22 +2 75 69 75 71 $ 70,200
2003 T15 +2 76 73 66 75 $ 93,000
2002 1 -12 70 69 66 71 $ 1,008,000
2001 1 -16 70 66 68 68 $ 1,008,000
2000 5 -4 75 72 68 69 $ 184,000
1999 T18 +1 72 72 70 75 $ 52,160
1998 T8 -3 71 72 72 70 $ 89,600
1997 1 -18 70 66 65 69 $ 486,000
1996 T60 +6 75 75     $ 0
1995 T41 +5 72 72 77 72

$ 0

 

 

Masters Record - Mickelson

Year Place Score Round Earnings
1 2 3 4
2017 T22 +2 71 73 74 72 $ 105,600
2016 T58 +7 72 79     $ 10,000
2015 T2 -14 70 68 67 69 $ 880,000
2014 T52 +5 76 73     $ 10,000
2013 T54 +9 71 76 77 73 $ 18,320
2012 T3 -8 74 68 66 72 $ 384,000
2011 T27 -1 70 72 71 74 $ 54,400
2010 1 -16 67 71 67 67 $ 1,350,000
2009 5 -9 73 68 71 67 $ 300,000
2008 T5 -2 71 68 75 72 $ 273,750
2007 T24 +11 76 73 73 77 $ 63,800
2006 1 -7 70 72 70 69 $ 1,260,000
2005 10 -3 70 72 69 74 $ 189,000
2004 1 -9 72 69 69 69 $ 1,170,000
2003 3 -5 73 70 72 68 $ 408,000
2002 3 -8 69 72 68 71 $ 380,800
2001 3 -13 67 69 69 70 $ 380,800
2000 T7 -2 71 68 76 71 $ 143,367
1999 T6 -3 74 69 71 71 $ 125,200
1998 T12 -2 74 69 69 74 $ 64,800
1997 T47 +6 76 74     $ 5,000
1996 3 -6 65 73 72 72 $ 170,000
1995 T7 -8 66 71 70 73 $ 70,950
1993 T34 +3 72 71 75 73 $ 8,975
1991 T47 +2 69 73 74 74 $ 0

Major championships playoff formats

Masters Tournament: Sudden death (starting on No. 18, alternating with No. 10 if necessary)

U.S. Open: Two-hole aggregate

British Open: Four-hole aggregate

PGA Championship: Three-hole aggregate