MASTERS 2023 – AN EARLY LOOK AT THE FAVORITES
The Masters always provides a jolt to the golf calendar when the event rolls around every April. For members of the PGA Tour, legendary players tend to rack up wins at the events. The all-time leaders in wins are Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Arnold Palmer. This year, a large field will seek to have their names associated with the aforementioned legends.
Here’s a look at the early favorites.
Jon Rahm, +650
The Spanish star has one career major victory and 10 career victories on the PGA Tour. In six career appearances at the Masters, Rahm has finished in the top four of the Masters four times and has a career-best finish of fourth at the event in 2018. So far, during the 2022-23 season, Rahm has been playing at a solid level.
Rahm has collected three wins this season, including at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, the American Express event, and the Genesis Invitational. Rahm withdrew from the Players Championship after shooting 1-under in the first round. Rahm is currently ranked second in the world.
Scottie Scheffler, +750
Scheffler is the top-ranked player in the world and the defending Masters champion. He has won six events on the PGA Tour. during his career. So far this season, Scheffler has shown his best form in February and March. Scheffler shot 19-under par and won the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and he also captured the Players Championship.
Only three players — Nicklaus, Woods, and Nick Faldo — have won the Masters back-to-back. It’s been 21 years since Woods accomplished the back-to-back win. Scheffler will need to use his immense talent and get a little luck to win again.
Media by Associated Press – Scottie Scheffler celebrates after putting on the green jacket after winning the 86th Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. Scheffler’s year of four wins is easy to overlook because his last win was in April.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Rory McIlroy, +900
McIlroy had a memorable performance at the Master’s last year. During the last round, McIlroy shot a 64, gaining seven strokes on eventual winner Scheffler. It was the best-ever finish at the Masters for McIlroy.
McIlroy needs to win the Masters to have won each Major tournament at least once. McIlroy doesn’t come into the tournament with much momentum as he missed the cut at the Players Championship. McIlroy is running out of time to win a Masters, but his final round last season should provide a boost of confidence for the veteran.
Cameron Smith, +1400
Smith has been a consistent player over the past two seasons. He captured his first major last season when he won the Open Championship. In 2022, Smith also finished second at the PGA Championship and has a second-place finish at the 2020 Masters on his resume. The 29-year-old Australian would like to get a few more high-profile victories to raise his status.
Smith, who is on the LIV Tour, hasn’t played in too many events this season. He has shot 6-under and 1-under in the two events he’s played. Stepping up onto a big stage and performing well in this type of competition will be tough for Smith.
Today’s golf picks >>