Masters Prediction

Who wins the Master's? I have three players I am predicting are in contention - obviously Phil due to his winning it 3 times, his length and how he knows the course so well. The other is Dustin Johnson and the other is another lefty - Bubba W. All three crush the ball off the tee. . . Dustin is primed to finally win a major. He has been so close and should've won the PGA if not for the "bunker" issue. He hits the ball a mile, is young, and ready... Bubba is the same, I just wonder if the putter is going to be an issue for Bubba at the Georgia park... If Phil keeps it in the fairway and he said he is using possibly to drivers this week, he is always dangerous. SHORT PUTTS usually define Phil in tourneys. If he makes them, watch out. Dark horse - well, not really, but look for Mahan to make a move as well. . . As far as Tiger, you can never discount him at Augusta, even with the new stack / tilt / vertical / pull-hook swing...

ATP - Biscayne

HOPING like hell Federer beats Simon to set up a SEMI-final showdown with Nadal. When was the last time these two met in a semi?? I think it was the French Open - Rafa's first title there. Do not think, though, for a second, that Simon will not give Roger all he can handle. He's beaten him before and I am sure Roger is anxious to get at Nadal, not in a final... I see Roger winning in 3 vs Simon and against Rafa - - - Rafa in 3. Roger still has not figured out the "Nadal forehand to Roger backhand". THe ball kicks up so high, if you watch their matches, Roger is on the defensive 70% of the time and WHEN he does get a good look at a forehand, his eyes and mind have to tell him he won't get too many of these so make sure its perfect which i think makes him press... How can Roger beat Rafa?? BRING HIM TO THE net. Rafa is a good volley'r on the FIRST ball, but make him volley a second ball, and he tightens up. In other words, its just not natural. THEN you pass him. I have said over the years, Roger;s best chance to beat Nadal is to stay inside the baseline, drop shot him to death, and attack him at the net. He cannot beat him behind the baseline, as noone can, not even the hotter than mercury Djoker right now... Regarding Djoker, he plays Fish, a surprising semi-finalist. Fish will give him a run in the first set, but I see it 7-5 6-3 Djoker. Djoker is playing so darn well as i have never seen him play better and I predict wins 3 majors this year. I see him winning the US OPen, and possibly Wimby. Nadal wins the French...

Golf / masters prep / tiger

Masters is approaching and I am sure the golfing community and peers are anxious to see how the new Sean "loudmouth" Foley's Tiger swing is coming along... From what I ve seen since he went to Foley, and from learning about Foley's philosphy, I have no idea why Foley would change Tiger and why Tiger would agree, to go to this more "stack nd tilt" swing. In case you re not sure what stack and tilt is, its simply starting your weight on your front foot, turning or pivoting while keeping most the weight on your front foot, and then "pushing" your hip forward when swinging down on the ball... Foley has basically overhauled arguably the greatest golfer of all time's swing, a swing that has won 14 majors, and treated him like a 25 handicapper who reverse pivots. why why why why would Tiger listen to this guy? Perhaps, O'hair, Mahan and Rose got into Tiger's ear and told them these great things about Foley, but if you go on results alone, Tiger's new swing is awful... In case you have not heard about the TWO 70 yard drives, and yes, i said 70 YARD drives, Tiger had using this new swing, you heard it now. Pivoting over your front foot as Tiger does now vs when he would "load up" on that back foot with a huge take back and wide arc when he was dominating, causes such a steep angle its like a plane trying to land going vertical vs coming in lower and lower horizonatally. This "steepness" causes HUGE HUGE divots, fat shots, and the worst of all, the extreme hook. At the Palmer tourney last week, Tiger hit a classic pull hook over and over. Again, this swing is just not Tiger. He is Tiger because he is so fluid, and flexible, and relaxed. NOW, he looks like a guy with 87 thoughts in his head before he swings. I have never seen Tiger take so many practice swings before shots... Will Tiger win again and win a another major? absolutely... he could show up left handed and win a tourney... BUT, will he break Jack's record with this new "stack and tilt" swing, time will tell, but I do not like the PATH he is on with this swing.