Ian Poulter believes defending champion Bubba Watson should be the favourite at Augusta this week ahead of world No 1 Rory McIlroy.
Watson arrives at Augusta having won on two of his last three Masters appearances - taking a convincing three-stroke victory ahead of Jonas Blixt and Jordan Spieth 12 months ago - and Poulter expects the American to challenge for honours again this week.
“When you hit it 340 yards and a slight cut off every tee, I’d like to play that golf course as my course to play," Poulter said. "He is the favourite. It just sets up to his game, so you’d expect to see him on the board come Sunday.
“Through the years long hitters have already done very well on that golf course, but especially left handers. Phil (Mickelson) and Bubba are both long-hitting left-handers, so that golf course lends itself to hitting the cup, and for right handers it lends to hitting a draw.
“There’s a number of key things that the golf course lends itself too, so it’s a case of practicing certain shots.”
History hunting
McIlroy would become only the sixth player in golfing history to complete a career Grand Slam should he claim the Green Jacket at Augusta, following on from wins last year at The Open and the PGA Championship.
The 25-year-old would join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as winners of all four majors with victory this week, and Poulter believes it would be "truly remarkable" for his Ryder Cup team-mate to win a maiden Masters title.
He said: “We obviously knew years ago when he burst on the scene at the Open Championship and had that incredible run that this kid was going to be good, but obviously we didn’t know how good and he’s proving to be the No 1 player in the world right now and deservedly so.
“It happens in golf every decade or every couple of decades and Rory’s one of the kids that has the natural talents. He is impressive to watch and when he’s on form, he’s as good as anyone has ever been.”
In contention
Although Poulter is without a PGA Tour title since a two-shot victory at the season-ending WGC-HSBC Champions event three years ago, the Englishman came close to ending the drought at the Honda Classic and has produced further strong performances at Innisbrook and Bay Hill in recent weeks.
“It’s the nicest run of events playing four weeks in a row as consistently as I’ve played. Take out Miami, as that course just doesn’t suit me, I’ve played three weeks out of four where I’ve pretty much been in contention.
“I’m looking forward to continuing that run, to put that little extra work into the areas I’ve felt have let me down in the past couple of weeks and see If I can come to Augusta with what I need.
“I have to stick to my gameplan and providing my short game, my wedge game and my putting are good then I’ll definitely have a very good chance on Sunday. I need to play to my strengths that week and hopefully without any silly mistakes I should be there.”
Ian Poulter was speaking as Captain of the Ballantine's Golf Club, the first online, global golf club of its kind. Join for free for exclusive content and rewards.
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