The Drive, Chip and Putt, the junior skills competition open to boys and girls ages 7-15 and culminating with the 80 finalists dueling it out at Augusta National Golf Club on the Sunday before the Masters has been a runaway hit for the golf industry.
It’s also been delight for golfers to watch on Golf Channel. The 2023 edition is April 2 this year.
The DCP was founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, the USGA and the PGA of America and focuses on the three fundamental skills in golf.
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But it got us thinking – what if there were a drive, chip and putt competition for the pros? That would be epic, of course, but who would win?
That was the latest Masters Survey question we posed to the pro. Here are their answers.
Keegan Bradley
Justin Thomas.
He’s got an unbelievable short game, he’s long, he’s just an unbelievable player.
Sam Burns
Me.
Corey Conners
Probably Rory [McIlroy]. I wouldn’t bet against him in anything.
Harris English
It would be hard to beat Rory.
Tony Finau
I’d like to say I have a great chance of winning. I hit it really far and chipping and putting has come a long way. Jon Rahm is another guy who comes to mind. Rory would have a good chance because he hits it far, has good hands and is a good putter, but I like my chances.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Dustin Johnson.
Tommy Fleetwood
Me. I’ve got to back myself.
Jim Furyk
In my time and in his heyday, David Duval. He had all three of those skills. No one drove it better; he had a great short game and was a clutch putter.
Max Homa
Matt Fitzpatrick is good at everything when you look at his statistics. JT would also be right up there.
Billy Horschel
Hard to bet against Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.
Viktor Hovland
Any of the top 100 guys can win.
Trevor Immelman and Will Zalatoris
Rory McIlroy.
Jack Nicklaus
Today, probably Tiger. Not necessarily during his prime because he’s a much better driver today than he’s been for a long time and he’s always had a great short game and been a great putter when he needed to. Rory would be up there. Back in my day, I’d like to think I could compete with Tiger.
Zach Johnson
Tiger Woods.
Kevin Kisner
Jordan Spieth.
Matt Kuchar
Justin Thomas.
Collin Morikawa
Not me. I’m not long enough. The one part of my game that I’m really good at is my irons and it’s not even part of it. It would be someone in the top 10 in driving distance.
Gary Player
I have no idea because none of them stick out above the others. No one in this generation has set themselves apart substantially like Tiger or Jack did previously.
Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele
Rahm: That could be anybody on any given day.
Schauffele: Any given tour pro on any given day.
Kevin Streelman
Rory would win the drive. He chips and putts well, too, so I’d go with him.
Justin Thomas
I’d like to back myself, I’d say.
Gary Woodland
Jon Rahm. He bombs it and putts the heck out of it.
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