Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

A21
SPORTS Tuesday 21 February 2017

West Coast

Continued from Page 17

That includes Dustin John-
son, the new No. 1. That
does not include Sergio
Garcia, who won the
Dubai Desert Classic on the
European Tour.
As the PGA Tour heads to
Florida, the Westgate Las
Vegas Sportsbook lists Jor-
dan Spieth as a narrow
favorite (13-2 odds) over
Johnson (8-1) to win the
Masters, with Rory McIlroy,
Jason Day and Hideki Mat-
suyama lined up behind
them.
Spieth would be a leading
candidate because of his
four-shot victory at Pebble
Beach two weeks ago,
and because he has never
finished worse than runner-
up in his three appearanc-
es at Augusta National. Jordan Spieth follows his shot from the rough on the 12th hole during the second round of the Genesis Open golf tournament at
As for Johnson? Riviera Country Club Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
He reached No. 1 on Sun- Associated Press
day by winning at Riviera ,
but equally impressive is his ting a record for the lowest Ilroy, who lost in a playoff combined 35 shots behind brook, the Match Play and
two-year body of work — 72-hole score (253) in PGA at the South African Open in the three tournaments in most likely Houston. Throw
five victories (including the Tour history. despite coping with injured which he made the cut. in Matsuyama, McIlroy and
U.S. Open), four runner-up And remember, there are ribs that knocked him out The Florida Swing — it’s Henrik Stenson, and there
finishes and 60 percent of still six more tournaments to of two tournaments in the more of a stutter step with will be plenty of occasions
his finishes in the top 10. go before the Masters. Middle East that he typical- the tour going to Mexico for them to mix it up ahead
Matsuyama was asked in How tough is it getting? Spi- ly plays well. McIlroy hopes instead of Doral — has a of the Masters.
late October after his sev- eth started the year at No. to return in two weeks in tough act to follow. And then what happens at
en-shot victory in the HSBC 5 in the world. He tied for Mexico City. For starters, none of the top Augusta?
Champions if he wished third at Kapalua, finished Day lost the No. 1 ranking six in the world will be at the It has been 10 years since
the Masters was the follow- third at the Sony Open, for the first time in 47 weeks, Honda Classic this week so many top players won
ing week. His playoff vic- tied for ninth in the Phoenix though he could get that in Palm Beach Gardens. on the West Coast — Vi-
tory in Phoenix earlier this Open and won at Pebble back in Mexico City, the The highest-ranked player jay Singh (Kapalua), Tiger
month only raised expec- Beach. And now he’s No. 6. first World Golf Champion- is Scott, who can’t move Woods (Torrey Pines), Phil
tations of becoming the “Awesome West Coast ships event of the year. higher than his No. 7 spot in Mickelson (Pebble Beach)
first Asian-born player in a Swing,” Spieth said after he The Australian has been the ranking even if he were and Stenson (Match Play)
green jacket. tied for 22nd at the Genesis a slow starter, at least by to successfully defend his were all among the top
Justin Thomas almost feels Open. It was his worst finish his standards, the last two title at PGA National. eight in the world when
like old news. It’s easy to since he tied for 30th in the years because of all the Johnson is expected to play they won. And it really
forget that he not only British Open last summer, time he takes off in the in Mexico, the Match Play didn’t slow down after that,
swept the Hawaii swing, he and his 72 in the third round winter. A year ago, he and the Houston Open. with Woods, Singh and
won them by a combined ended his streak of 27 con- didn’t contend until back- Day will be in Mexico, Bay Scott winning in March.
10 shots and shot a 59 at secutive rounds under par. to-back victories in March. Hill and the Match Play. Spi- So much hype. So much
the Sony Open while set- Not to be overlooked is Mc- This year, he has finished a eth will be in Mexico, Innis- anticipation.q