First Major of the Year – Players to Watch and Products They Use

The first major tournament of 2018 is right around the corner and this year’s list of possible contenders appears to be longer than ever thanks to the emergence of a few young guns and the resurgence of several veterans. In the field of 87 professional golfers, which is the smallest field in 21 years, who should you keep on your radar? We’ve scanned through the list of potential winners and came up with our top 11 golfers to win at Augusta, along with the gear that they will be using to make a run at the coveted green jacket.

Dustin Johnson

With 4 top 10 finishes, including a win at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in the 2018 season, DJ’s game appears to be in good form coming into the first major of the year. His two top 10 finishes in 2015 and 2016 (an unfortunate slip and fall kept him from competing in 2017) tell us that the long bomber has the distance and accuracy to play well at Augusta, giving him a legitimate shot at capturing his first green jacket.

[showhide type=”post1″ more_text=”What’s in Dustin’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: TaylorMade M4 (9.5 degrees)

Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 661 Evolution 2.0 Tour Spec X

3 Wood: TaylorMade M4 HL (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 95 6.5

Irons: TaylorMade P-790 (3), TaylorMade DJ Proto (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: TaylorMade MG (52-09SB, 60-14THB, 60-10SB, 64 Hi-Toe)
Shaft: KBS Tour 120S

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Black
Grip: SuperStroke Pistol GT 1.0

Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x[/showhide]

 

Justin Rose

After falling short last year in a playoff to Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose is coming into Augusta with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Throw in two runner-up finishes in the past three years and never finishing outside of the top 25 in the past decade, you have to consider Justin Rose a favorite to finally break through and capture the first major of the year. Not to mention that his game is in top form with a win at the WGC HSBC Championship early in the season and consecutive top 5 finishes at Innisbrook and Bay Hill.

[showhide type=”post2″ more_text=”What’s in Justin’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: TaylorMade M3 (8.5 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK 60TX

3 Wood: TaylorMade M4 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK 80TX

5 Wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK 80TX

Irons: TaylorMade P-790 (3), TaylorMade P-730 (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (52-09SB, 56-12SB, 60 Hi-Toe, 64 Hi-Toe)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X

Putter: TaylorMade TP Ardmore 2
Grip: Flat Cat Svelte

Ball: TaylorMade TP5X[/showhide]

 

Tiger Woods

The 14-time major champion has 13 top 10 finishes at Augusta in 18 appearances as a pro, four of which were wins. A few weeks ago, if someone had considered Tiger a top favorite to win the first major of the year, we would have questioned it. However, with a runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship and a close call at Bay Hill, Tiger is back and appears to have the game to capture his fifth green jacket. Need we say more about every golf fans unanimous favorite to win at Augusta?

[showhide type=”post3″ more_text=”What’s in Tiger’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: TaylorMade M3 460 (9.5 degrees)

Shaft: Matrix Ozik TP6HDe

3 Wood: TaylorMade M3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Matrix Ozik TP8HDe

Driving Iron: TaylorMade Tour Preferred UDI (18 degrees)
Shaft: Project X PXi 7.0

Irons: “TGR” prototypes (3-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Nike VR Pro Forged (56 and 60 degrees)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS

Golf Ball: Bridgestone TourB XS[/showhide]

 

Justin Thomas

Let’s take a look at Justin Thomas’ 2018 season so far; four top 5 finishes, including two wins (The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges and The Honda Classic), and has not finished outside the top 25 in any tournament this season. He’s got the length, accuracy, touch, and short game to navigate Augusta and make a serious run at the green jacket. It may be concerning that his best finish at the year’s first major is a T-22 finish in 2017, but that is only with two appearances under his belt. The way he is playing, it is a matter of time before he gets his first green jacket and the World No. 1 title.

[showhide type=”post4″ more_text=”What’s in Justin’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Titleist 917D2 (8.5 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana BF 60TX

3 Wood: Titleist 917F2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 80TX

5 Wood: Titleist 915Fd (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 Tour Spec X

Irons: Titleist 718 AP2 (4 iron), Titleist 718 MB (5-9 irons)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5 (56-14F), Vokey SM6 (46-08F, 52-12F, 60-12K)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue (46-60), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 (60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T X5
Grip: SuperStroke Pistol GT Tour

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x[/showhide]

 

Phil Mickelson

The three-time champion at Augusta has had a bounce back 2018 season including five top 10 finishes and cracking the winner’s circle for the first time in nearly five years. Phil is coming to the year’s first major with one of the best track records in the field (except for, well, Tiger) with 11 top 5 finishes, including three wins, and is showing that even at 47 he’s still got the game to compete for another major championship. The only question is, does Phil have what it takes to fend off the field and become the oldest champion at Augusta (currently held by the illustrious Jack Nicklaus)?

[showhide type=”post5″ more_text=”What’s in Phil’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero (9 degrees)

Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100

Fairway Wood: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero 3+ (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Fubuki J85 X

Hybrid: Callaway Rogue (19 degrees)
Shaft: KBS Tour Hybrid Prototype 95X

Driving Iron: Callaway X Forged UT (18)
Shaft: UST Mamiya iRod 95F5

Irons: Callaway Epic Pro (4-iron), Callaway X Forged 18 (5-7), Callaway Apex MB (8-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour V 125

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy PM Grind (56-13, 64-10), Callaway Mack Daddy PM Grind 2.0 (60-10)
Shafts: KBS Tour V 125

Putter: Odyssey Versa No. 9 White
Grip: SuperStroke Slim 3.0

Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X[/showhide]

 

Bubba Watson

Like his fellow lefty Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson is having a rejuvenated 2018 season, compiling two wins in his last four starts after a dismal 2017 season where he dropped to No. 117 in the Official World Golf Rankings. The two time champion at Augusta is sporting a 70% GIR (8% more than last year) and is putting like his old self. Bubba can work the ball and navigate the course unlike any player on the Tour. Combine that with his course knowledge and history of winning at Augusta, and Bubba is once again a favorite to win yet another green jacket.

[showhide type=”post6″ more_text=”What’s in Bubba’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Ping G400 LST (8.5 degrees, at 7.6 degrees)

Shaft: Grafalloy Bi-Matrix Pink X-Flex
Length: 44.5 inches (tipped 0.5 inches)

Fairway Wood: Ping G (14.5 degrees, at 13.2 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Tour Spec 8.2X
Length: 42 inches, tipped at 1.5 inches
Swing Weight: D3

Irons: Ping iBlade (2 iron), Ping S55 (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Length: +0.25 inches (2 iron), +0.5 inches (4-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide 2.0 (52-12 SS, 56-12 SS, 60-06 TS)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Length: +0.5 inches

Putter: Ping PLD Anser (Blast Finish)
Grip: Ping Pistol
Length, loft, lie: 34.25 inches, 4.5 degrees, 68.5 degrees
Weight: 340 grams

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x[/showhide]

 

Rory McIlroy

In case you missed his performance at Bay Hill, Rory blistered the back nine on Sunday to secure his first victory since the 2016 Tour Championship. With the win, Rory has emerged into the conversation of favorite to win the first major of the year, not to mention reinvigorated the career Grand Slam conversation. Rory’s putting was his Achilles heel in the stretch between victory’s but his performance at Bay Hill was a good sign. The only question is, can he keep his putting on track to make a run at the first major of the year and complete the career grand slam?

[showhide type=”post7″ more_text=”What’s in Rory’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: TaylorMade M3 460 (8.5 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 70TX

3 Wood: TaylorMade M3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80TX

5 Wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax P95X

Irons: TaylorMade P-750 (4), TaylorMade “Rors Proto” P-730 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 7.0

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48, 52 and 58 degrees), Taylormade Hi-Toe (60 degrees)
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: TaylorMade TP Collection Black Copper Soto (with slant neck)

Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x[/showhide]

 

Jason Day

In his 2011 debut at Augusta, Jason Day nearly won but fell short when the eventual champion, Charl Schwartzel, rang off four birdies in a row to win by two over Day and Adam Scott. Two years later Day put together another stellar performance but eventually fell short, again by two strokes, to champion Adam Scott. After battling many injuries, Day made it back to the winner’s circle this year with a victory at Torrey Pines. With his game and health going in the right direction, look out for Jason Day to make yet another run for the coveted green jacket.

[showhide type=”post8″ more_text=”What’s in Jason’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: TaylorMade M3 (10.5 degrees)

Shaft: TPT Golf 14.5-flex

3 Wood: TaylorMade M1 2017 (15 degrees)
Shaft: TPT Golf

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (2) Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven TaylorMade P-750 (3-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48 SB-09, 52 SB-09, 60 LB-09)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X Seven (48 and 52 degrees), True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue (60 degrees)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Red

Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x[/showhide]

 

Sergio Garcia

After many close calls in major championships, Sergio Garcia eventually broke through with a win last year at Augusta. The defending champion is coming off a victory overseas, three consecutive top 10 finishes and is game appears to be in great shape coming into the year’s first major. We know Sergio plays well at Augusta but can the new father be focused enough to defend his title?

[showhide type=”post9″ more_text=”What’s in Sergio’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero (9 degrees)

Shaft: Mitsubishi KuroKage Dual Core 70TX

3 Wood: Callaway Rogue 3+ (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi KuroKage XT 80TX

5 Wood: Callaway Rogue Sub Zero (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi KuroKage XT 80TX

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro 16 (3, 4), Callaway Apex MB 18 (5-9 iron)
Shafts: Nippon Modus Tour 130x

Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (48-10S, 54-10S, 58-08C)
Shafts: Nippon Modus Tour 130x

Putter: Odyssey Toulon Azalea
Grip: Super Stroke 1.0 SGP

Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft[/showhide]

 

Jordan Spieth

In case you are unaware, Jordan plays well at Augusta. Like, extremely well. In his four appearances at Augusta he has one win, two T-2 finishes, and a T-11 (which he shot a disastrous 75 in the final group, but for the sake of this tournament is a sound result). He has been struggling on the greens of late, coming off a missed cut at the Valspar Championship, but you can’t count him out, especially at Augusta. Can Jordan find his putting stroke and make a run at the tournament he plays so well?

[showhide type=”post10″ more_text=”What’s in Jordan’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Titleist 915D2 (9.5 degrees)

Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD IZ-6X

3 Wood: Titleist 915F (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI-7X

Hybrid: Titleist 818 H2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI-95X Hybrid

Irons: Titleist 718 T-MB (3, 4), Titleist 718 AP2 (5-9)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD-DI 95X (3), True Temper Project X 6.5 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 (46-08, 52-08F, 56-10S, 60-04L)
Shafts: True Temper Project X 6.0 (52, 56, 60) True Temper Project X 6.5 (46)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T 009
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 1.0

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x[/showhide]

 

Rickie Fowler

One of the best players without a major championship, Rickie Fowler is very close to finally breaking through and the first major of the year could be his ticket to victory. He has proved himself at Augusta having finished within the top 5 before. Rickie is trending in the right direction with a win early in the season at the Hero World Challenge and two top 15 finishes this season, and he certainly has the length, accuracy, and short game to perform at Augusta. There is a chance this could be the tournament that Rickie finally breaks through to capture his first major.

[showhide type=”post11″ more_text=”What’s in Rickie’s Bag” less_text=”Show less…”]Driver: Cobra King F8+ Nardo (8.0 degrees)

3-4 Wood: Cobra King F8+ (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Synergy 75 TX

4-5 Wood: Cobra King F8+ (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Synergy 75 TX

Irons: Cobra King Forged MB (4-PW)
Shaft: KBS C-Taper Tour 125 S+

Wedges: Cobra King V-Grind Prototypes (52-10B, 56-10F, 60F)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Circle T Newport 2
Grip: Standard Scotty Cameron Pistol

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1[/showhide]