Capelle On Golf

2008 Masters Coverage - Thru 4/15

Going into the British Open last summer Andres Romero had finished MC, 34t, 65 in his three previous starts. Not exactly a golfer on a tear. And then boom – he nearly wins the British Open with a 10 birdie statement making effort at Carnoustie.

After birdies at 13 through 16, only a double bogey – bogey finish kept him from an outright victory. He ended up in solo third, one back. Romero then showed great resiliency by coming back to win The Deutsche Bank Players’ Championship of Europe the very next week.

Up till now the 26 year old Argentinean’s first crack at the PGA Tour had been anything but a success. Here’s the line on his first six starts:

PGA Tour in ’08 : MC – MC – MC – 17t – 48t – 30t – W

His skill stats were just as unimpressive as he ranked one hundred and whatever on most of the key numbers. These included GIR, where his average of 56.67% was 194th out of 203 players.

But Romero caught fire at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and his timing couldn’t be much better. Here’s a quick recap of his play in New Orleans.

Andres Romero Quick Recap
1 – 73 with 10 GIR – survives a 5 bogey strewn opener
2 – 69 with 12 GIR – plays the last 10 holes in -3 with no bogeys
3 – 65 with 17 GIR – only uses 36 shots to reach the greens!
4 – 68 with 15 GIR – sinks clutch 5 and 4 footers on 17 and 18

So what makes Romero a good shot at being a long shot winner at Augusta? He’s played in only four majors, but his resume already boosts an 8t and a third. He’s a long hitter, which comes in handy on the par 5s at Augusta. And he’s appears to be a streak player. If a player can’t be at the top every week like Tiger, that’s the next best kind if he is oriented towards the W.

Andres started the day #40 in the WGR, but he’ll wake up tomorrow in about the #25 position. That, along with his improved ball striking, clutch putting, and his win should have him in an excellent frame of mind for his maiden voyage around the acres of Augusta National.

Ladbrokes had him at 125/1 as of 5:40 EST. If you, like myself, are convinced that this budding mid-twenties superstar is a good bet for a green jacket, you better act fast. Call your cousin in London, and tell him to put $10 down on the lad. You could walk away with $1,250 – wagering on a guy who just won, and who came within an eyelash of winning the Open last year. I can hear your email programs opening.