Justin Rose is No. 1 – again.
Rose overtook Dustin Johnson for the world’s top ranking this week, just ahead of the Masters. It marks the fifth time that Rose has achieved that lofty world ranking in his career now for a total of 13 weeks. He first achieved the ranking on Sept. 10, 2018. He recently again rose to No. 1 on Jan. 6 and held the spot for eight weeks before falling behind Johnson last month.
“You certainly don’t get blase about it, but I don't think I ever stopped telling myself of how you get to No. 1 and that's by moving forward and continuing to improve and get good results,” Rose said Monday from Augusta National. “You know, I have won as world No. 1, which is something that was important me. I was able to do that in San Diego this year, but clearly to win a major as No. 1 would be even more fantastic. So you know, I use it as maybe a little inspiration certainly not as an expectation, I don’t think.”
Not telling secrets
Bryson DeChambeau rolls into the Masters ranked No. 6 in the world. The PGA Tour’s resident physicist’s pre-tournament press conference sounded a bit like an episode of The Big Bang Theory on Monday. DeChambeau attempted to explain the aspects of his game that revolve around the scientific principles of geometry, physics and meteorology.
There was a humorous exchange with a reporter trying to get to the bottom of one aspect of his DeChambeau’s game.
Q. I've heard you talk about on a pre‑shot routine factoring air density. How do you determine that?
A. Well, that's secrets, partner. Not going to let that one go.
McIlroy is oddsmaker’s favorite
Rory McIlroy enters this week as the favorite to win the Masters, the lone major he needs to complete his career Grand Slam.
According to the odds from Vegas Insiders, McIlroy is 8-to-1 to win the green jacket.
Dustin Johnson is second at 10-to-1 and followed by Justin Rose and Tiger Woods at 14-to-1 and Jordan Spieth at 17-to-1.
Other odds of interest include Bubba Watson at 35-to-1, Matt Kuchar and Phil Mickelson at 45-to-1 and defending champion Patrick Reed at 60-to-1.
Weather update
There is some rain in the forecast for Augusta during Masters week. Players may have to dodge some showers during tournament rounds.
Augusta National closed the course to play and patrons about 3 p.m. Monday due to the anticipated arrival of thunderstorms.
The current forecast for the tournament rounds calls for:
Thursday: Partly cloudy, 81/63 degrees
Friday: AM showers, 84/62
Saturday: PM showers, 82/63
Sunday: Scattered thunderstorms, 80/60
Drive, chip and putt
Eight junior golfers were crowned champions at the sixth annual Drive, Chip and Putt national finals held Sunday at Augusta National.
The winners were:
Boys 14-15 – Treed Huang
Girls 14-15 – Nicole Gal
Boys 12-13 – Matthew Vital
Girls 12-13 – Yana Wilson
Boys 10-11 – Sahish Reddy
Girls 10-11 – Sophia Li
Boys 7-9 – Conner Ford
Girls 7-9 – Angela Zhang
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