By Bernard Gallacher
The 87th Masters Event at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership is the eagerly-awaited first Main of the yr.
The one change to the course from final yr is the lengthening of the par-5 thirteenth from 510 yards to 545 yards, so it’s retained its excellent magnificence. This yr’s discipline will comprise of PGA Tour gamers, DP World gamers, seven amateurs—in honour of Bobby Jones, co-founder of Augusta—two particular invitees, and maybe contentiously, 18 gamers from LIV.
No matter your views on LIV Golf, the actual fact is that as one of many Majors, the Masters would have been critically undermined had the likes of three-time winner Phil Mickelson, two-time winner Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and, after all, Open champion Cam Smith have been prevented from taking part in.
The Masters 2023
This
yr’s match is ready as much as be an actual contest between the LIV gamers and
the remaining led by the PGA Tour. The true winners,
although, will certainly be the on-course patrons and the hundreds of thousands watching on TV
around the globe.
I haven’t talked about Tiger Woods, regardless of the actual fact he’s undoubtedly taking part in, as a result of it’s tough to see how he can contend, having performed no latest aggressive golf—to not point out he’s nonetheless struggling to stroll. That mentioned, you simply by no means know with Tiger. He is aware of his approach round Augusta higher than anybody else, having gained it 5 instances up to now. I gained’t write him off simply but. I’d like to see him do properly this yr—the Masters is so thrilling when Tiger is in rivalry.
Personally,
although, I hope Rory McIlroy wins and completes his Grand Slam, becoming a member of
solely 5 others within the historical past of the sport: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary
Participant, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He’s in a superb place along with his recreation—imperious
off the tee, and his placing has tremendously improved since he teamed up with
Brad Faxon. If he’s in rivalry going into the again 9 on the Sunday
afternoon, my cash is on him to tug it off.
Scottie Scheffler, the present world primary and defending Masters champion, gained the latest Gamers Championship, so his confidence is sky-high, and there are definitely no faults in his recreation.
Jon Rahm is determined to win at Augusta and comply with within the footsteps of his compatriots Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal. He’s been in very good kind for the previous 4 or 5 months and presently lies third within the World Golf Rankings. He has a superb temperament and is an outstanding putter, amongst different issues.
Sam
Burns, who gained the latest Dell World Match Play, seems like an impressive
prospect this yr. Beating Scottie Scheffler within the semis and Cameron Younger
comprehensively within the 18-hole closing exhibits he has the temperament for the massive
event.
Relating to
the LIV gamers, each one of many 18 gamers on the sphere will probably be determined to
do properly and acquire valuable WGR factors—one thing they’re unable to do in
their occasions. I’m definitely not writing off the likes of Dustin Johnson,
Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and so forth. The eventual winner
might properly come from the LIV steady, which might be uncomfortable, to say the
least, for the golf traditionalists on the market.
Tyrell Hatton is my outdoors guess to do properly this yr and doubtlessly even win. His method is strong, he’s the most effective putters on Tour, and his confidence is excessive after ending runner-up on this yr’s Gamers Championship. He’s a confirmed winner—it’s solely a matter of time earlier than he wins a ‘massive one’.
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