Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
April 9, 2009, Washington Post

Who'll Win the Green Jacket at the Masters?

The Masters, maybe the most famous golf tournament in the world, begins today. Even if you are a kid who doesn't play golf, or thinks golf is boring, you may want to watch this year's tournament.

The Masters is always exciting. It is played on the same golf course, Augusta National, every year. Bobby Jones, a legendary golfer of the 1920s and '30s, started the Masters tournament and helped design Augusta National. He made the course beautiful and tricky so that the Masters would have close, dramatic finishes.

This year's Masters should be even more exciting than most because so many great players have a chance to make history. Let's take a look at some of the tournament's top players.

Tiger Woods: This is Tiger's first major tournament since he took eight months off to recover from knee surgery after he won the 2008 U.S. Open. Tiger showed his leg is 100 percent by winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago in typical Tiger fashion, rolling in a clutch putt on the last hole.

Tiger has won the Masters four times. He is the best golfer in the world and terrific at putting on Augusta National's lightning-fast greens. So Tiger has to be the favorite to win the green jacket that traditionally goes to the winner of each year's Masters.

Phil Mickelson: Phil the Thrill is my favorite golfer. He's so unpredictable. On one hole, Mickelson will make an unbelievable shot or curve in a long birdie putt. On the next, he will fly his ball into big trouble. But when Mickelson is playing well, he is as good as anyone, including Tiger. Right now, Mickelson is playing great. He has won two tournaments so far this year and seems primed to win his third Masters.

Padraig Harrington: The steady golfer from Ireland has won the last two major golf tournaments, the 2008 British Open and PGA Championship. Of course, Tiger was injured during those tournaments and did not play. Harrington is trying to prove he can beat Tiger and become only the fourth golfer to win three majors in a row. The others? Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and, yes, Tiger Woods. Harrington looked as if he was ready until the last round at last week's Houston Open, when he shot a 77. Harrington better not shoot 77 today or he won't stand a chance.

Some Surprise Player: Little-known pros Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman have won the last two Masters. Golf tournaments are so close and hard-fought that lesser-known players often slip into the winner's circle.

This week, keep your eye on Geoff Ogilvy, Nick Watney and 19-year old Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland. They are all playing well and could surprise the big names.

Whoever wins, the Masters is always worth watching.

Fred Bowen writes KidsPost's sports opinion column and is an author of sports novels for kids.

© 2009 The Washington Post Company