Former Ryder Cup player Des Smyth reckons Rory McIlroy is rightly favourite for The Masters beginning this afternoon, and even holds an outside hope for in-form Pádraig Harrington.
"We're all rooting for Rory because we want him to win to achieve his Grand Slam," the Louthman told Newstalk's Oisin Langan on Breakfast this morning, "and I know he's the bookies' favourite by a long way.
"But there are a few course specialists there; Bubba Watson plays that course fantastically well; Adam Scott, who I believe is back on the long putter because the short one is isn't working so good for him, he has to be in with a shout as well; Jimmy Walker, who's the form horse all year.
"There's so many players that can win this."
He continued: "But because they've had some rain it is moving in the favour to the big, long hitters this week.
"He [McIlory] is a long, straight hitter, he's a high ball hitter and that's the key to Augusta."
The rest of the Irish contingent - Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry - don't hold out much hope according to Des, but Harrington?
"Do I fancy any of the Irish? I have to say I don't," Des added. "But Pádraig is back in form and he has to be in there with a chance."
On Masters eve, history waits to be written: http://t.co/wDDrdZkFba #themasters pic.twitter.com/isPQipzAXS
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 9, 2015
