MASTERS ’23: A capsule look at top contenders for Augusta

Backspin: Rahm already has received 3 times on the PGA Tour this yr and briefly returned to No. 1 on this planet. Despite the fact that his finest end is fourth place, he has a knack for following the trail of his hero, Seve Ballesteros.

Majors: Masters (2015), U.S. Open (2015), British Open (2017).

Greatest Masters end: Received.

Masters second: Going wire-to-wire in 2015 for a four-shot victory over Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose.

Backspin: Spieth is again to taking part in nicely, simply not profitable with the regularity he as soon as did. However he had shut calls at Bay Hill and at Innisbrook, and Augusta Nationwide brings out his finest. A win and 4 prime 3s make him a favourite nearly yearly.

Greatest Masters end: Received.

Masters second: 4-putting the 18th inexperienced and nonetheless profitable by three.

Backspin: Scheffler was on one of many all-time heaters final yr when he capped it off with a dominant Masters win. Seems that wasn’t a sizzling streak. He received once more in Phoenix and at The Gamers Championship. He now tries to turn out to be the fourth participant to win the Masters back-to-back.

Nation: Northern Eire.

Majors: U.S. Open (2011), PGA Championship (2012, 2014), British Open (2014).

Greatest Masters end: Runner-up in 2022.

Masters second: Shedding a four-shot lead with an 80 within the remaining spherical of 2011.

Backspin: McIlroy is happening his ninth yr with out a main and that is the ninth time at Augusta Nationwide understanding a inexperienced jacket is all that’s conserving him from a profession Grand Slam. His kind is nice. His voice has introduced him consideration within the authorized battle towards LIV Golf. His putter will make the distinction.

Greatest Masters end: T48.

Masters second: Making the lower final yr for the primary time in three tries.

Backspin: Homa is nice at social media with out attempting. He’s good at golf by attempting actually exhausting. His reputation can overshadow the actual fact he has emerged as one in all golf’s prime gamers who must be seemed upon as a contender at any main.

Majors: British Open (2022).

Greatest Masters end: Runner-up in 2020.

Masters second: Difficult on Sunday twice within the final three years towards Dustin Johnson and Scottie Scheffler.

Backspin: He was good on the Masters earlier than he received a serious, and the British Open final yr was his crowning second. The query is how his transfer to LIV Golf and a restricted schedule could have him prepared. The brief recreation is dependable. The lengthy recreation is the important thing.

Greatest Masters end: Tie for ninth in 2019.

Masters second: An eagle on the fifteenth gap to tie for the lead, after which following that with two bogeys.

Backspin: Regardless of having no discernible weak point in his recreation, the majors are beginning to turn out to be a query mark. Aside from 2019 when he was tied for the lead late, he hasn’t been in severe competition over the ultimate hour of a serious. That can change in some unspecified time in the future.

Greatest Masters end: Received.

Masters second: Changing into the primary Japanese man to win a serious.

Backspin: Proper when he was beginning to present a bit kind, Matsuyama withdrew from the Match Play as a precaution due to stiffness in his neck, a recurring drawback. He now has gone 15 months since his final victory. He had gone three years with out a victory when he received the Masters.

Majors: Masters (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), U.S. Open (2000, 2002, 2008), British Open (2000, 2005, 2006), PGA Championship (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007).

Greatest Masters end: 5 inexperienced jackets.

Masters second: Successful in 2019 after going by way of 4 surgical procedures on his again.

Backspin: Woods has performed 4 instances since badly injuring his proper leg in a February 2021 automotive crash. He has missed the lower solely as soon as (British Open), which is exceptional. This can be solely his third elite competitors since July. He has by no means missed the lower as a professional on the Masters.

Greatest Masters end: Received.

Masters second: Enjoying within the remaining group with Rory McIlroy and profitable his first main.

Backspin: At every other Masters, Reed won’t be a consideration primarily based on his kind. Put him beneath the highlight surrounded by controversy, and he has a protracted historical past of thriving. He’s among the many most polarizing figures in golf. And he performs his finest that manner.

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