One of the most significant golfing events of the year is set to take place on Thursday as fans get ready to witness the winner of the 84th edition of The Masters.
Typically, the first major of the year, this years’ competition will be the first in its history to take place in Autumn. A November tournament, coupled with a lack of fans in attendance, adds a substantial layer of intrigue about whether the players’ games will be affected. Here we will be taking a look at some of the men that are favourites to don the green jacket on Sunday, and how much of an impact an autumn Masters will make on the state of play.
The Favourites
The wonderful thing about this sport is that there is rarely an outright favourite. More often than not there is enough quality on the green that ensures there are a host of names that could viably stand tall come Sunday. Danny Willett’s 2016 win is an example of how this sport can shock you.
That being said, the name on many peoples lips this year is the winner of the 2020 US Open – Bryson DeChambeau. His drive from the tee is like no other in the game right now and it played a huge role in his win earlier this year, in which he claimed victory with a six-shot lead. If he can use that to his advantage again this week, despite the prospect of poor November weather affecting the big hitters’ games, then he has a fantastic chance to achieve a first career Masters win.
Dustin Johnson is another that has an excellent chance this year. Like DeChambeu, Johnson is a player that uses the power in his drive to help get a leg up on the rest of the competition. The world number one has not finished outside the top 10 four years running now at Augusta, and his form this year should stand him in good stead. The 2020 FedEx cup winner is yet to win a major since his 2016 US Open success, however, and the fact that he has come close on many occasions since then, only to ultimately come up short, may put some off backing DJ.
The effects of the weather for players off the tee means that a good short game is going to be crucial. Therefore, many believe that it may just be Justin Thomas that fans see with the green jacket this year. The best iron player in the world right now, Thomas is yet to finish in the top 10 of the competition, although he does continue to improve year on year. His approach play may well be good enough now to secure him a precious first Masters victory.
The Chasing Pack
Rory McIlroy is looking for a victory that would see him become only the sixth professional to achieve a career grand slam – the first since Tiger Woods. Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t come close to a Masters victory in years and fans are still waiting on the form of six or seven years ago, when he was spoken about as a potential all-time great.
Conversely, Xander Schaufelle is a player whose game has gone from strength to strength recently, and now ranks as one of the world’s best. His superb all-round game has seen him touted as a viable contender to win the competition.
Like Schaufelle, Jon Rahm also appears to be edging closer to a first major of his career. A professional for over four years now, Rahm has finished fourth and ninth in his last two appearances here. Not bad going. One complaint is that the closest he has been to the lead going into the final day so far is three shots. It is unlikely to stay that way for long, though. If I was a betting man, I may just be getting ready to back Rahm.
One man that simply cannot be discounted is Brooks Koepka. Injuries and poor form have plagued his game for over a year now, but his ability to perform when it matters most is unlike any the game as seen over the last few years. Four major titles in three years and a second placed finish at last year’s Masters exemplify why he should not be discounted this time around. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention Tiger Woods. Last year’s Masters win made it fifteen majors in his illustrious career. He almost certainly will not win. But that’s what we all thought last year.
An Autumn Masters
It is safe to say that the green at Augusta will be looking just a pristine as ever, regardless of the change in months. Moreover, with a November tournament, instead of October which was what was originally scheduled, the club have had an extra month to whip the fairway into shape.
However, one thing that those at Augusta cannot dictate is the weather and the wind. Far heavier wind will be prevalent throughout the weekend and while it may hamper all players off the tee, the big hitters that often gain a huge advantage from their drive, may see their chances diminish. The lack of fans at Augusta this year could also hinder players like Ian Poulter and Patrick Reed – those that feed off the energy of the crowd. Dechambeau and Collin Marikawa are two that have already tasted major success this year, suggesting that a lack of fan attendance may not be a detriment to them at all.
By Jack Thurlow