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.
Justin Thomas chips on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2021 Tour Championship in Atlanta. (Photo: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports)
Justin Thomas.
He’s got an unbelievable short game, he’s long, he’s just an unbelievable player.
Justin Thomas, Corey Conners and Rory McIlroy at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open in Toronto. (Photo: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via Associated Press)
Probably Rory [McIlroy]. I wouldn’t bet against him in anything.
It would be hard to beat Rory.
Tony Finau putts during the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. (Photo: Dustin Safranek/USA TODAY Sports)
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.
Me. I’ve got to back myself.
David Duval and Jim Furyk at the 2018 Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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.
Matt Fitzpatrick (left) and Max Homa smile at the 11th tee during the first round of the 150th Open Championship in 2022 at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports)
Matt Fitzpatrick is good at everything when you look at his statistics. JT would also be right up there.
Rory McIlroy (right) and Jon Rahm walk to the 18th tee during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
Hard to bet against Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.
Any of the top 100 guys can win.
Rory McIlroy hits his drive on the first hole during the third round of the 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
Rory McIlroy.
Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus pose with the Memorial Trophy after Woods won the 2009 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. (Photo: Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports)
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.
Collin Morikawa reacts after his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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 receives a green jacket from Tom Watson after winning the 1978 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Course. (Photo: Associated Press)
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.
Rahm: That could be anybody on any given day.
Schauffele: Any given tour pro on any given day.
Kevin Streelman and Rory McIlroy talk on the third tee during a practice round ahead of the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club St. Louis. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Rory would win the drive. He chips and putts well, too, so I’d go with him.
Justin Thomas hits his drive on the first tee during the first round of the 2022 PNC Championship at Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes Orlando. (Photo: Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports)
I’d like to back myself, I’d say.
Jon Rahm and Gary Woodland at the 2020 Memorial in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo: Darron Cummings/Associated Press)
Jon Rahm. He bombs it and putts the heck out of it.
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