Like Many Others, I Will Not Be Winning the Jordan Spieth Invitational

My annual attempt at winning a Masters pool is (as usual) not going very well. I even have Jordan Spieth in one of them!

In my first pool, we were asked to pick two "a" players, two "b" players and two "c" players. The aforementioned Spieth (-14) was joined by Patrick Reed (-2) as my "a" players. They're the only two I chose who are under par going into the weekend. Billy Horschel (+4) and Jimmy Walker (+1) were my "b" players. Jimmy is my only remaining player to make the cut, but isn't playing the quality golf he was heading into the Masters. Coming off his win in Houston, JB Holmes (+3) was a no-brainer for me as a "c" player - joining Victor Dubuisson (+5). Anyone who didn't make the cut will be given scores of 80 for the remaining rounds - eliminating me from any chance to win.

In the Herb McNally pool, we had cart blanche to pick any four platers … and I elected to NOT pick Spieth (practically eliminating me from any chance to win). My continued faith in both Walker and Horschel was not rewarded. Because Rickie Fowler (+1) was so great in all four majors last year, I picked him. Rounding out my team was perennial major contender Jason Day (-3). Considering only Day is under par … 13 strokes behind the leader … it's no wonder I'm nearly at the bottom of this pool.

Last, but certainly not least (and not a pool) is a bet I placed while in Las Vegas in November. I took Louis Oosthuizen as 50-1 odds to win the Masters. If not for Spieth's opening two rounds, I'd be feeling fairly good about my chances to cash in with a good weekend. Alas, I'll have to enjoy the Masters for what it is … the year's first (and best) major and great TV.