Media by Associated Press – Will Zalatoris hits from the fairway on the first hole during the second round of the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament in Austin, Texas, Thursday, March 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Masters is a tournament where players have to run one of the toughest gauntlets on the PGA schedule. With the drama between the LIV and PGA Tours, there will be a little tension with this year’s event. But besides the drama and the pride that comes with qualifying for such events, there will always be some tough competitors that are left on the outside looking in.
Here’s a look at some players that could miss out on playing during the weekend.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatatoris is likely to be a contender to win the Masters for years to come. In his two previous starts at the event, Zalatoris has recorded a pair of top-10 finishes. However, this season, Zalatoris has other things working against him.
Injuries have plagued Zalatoris at PGA events. Zalatoris has had issues with his back, and there have been some signs of poor form. He hasn’t hit the ball well and has had issues with putting. During a recent match play event, Zalatoris was doomed by failing to convert on putts he would usually make.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick, the defending U.S. Open champion, has had a strong overall season. He has picked up four top 20s in seven events this season. However, Fitzpatrick laid a major egg a the Players’ Championship earlier this season. He shot 3-over par and missed the cut.
Fitzpatrick, an English golfer, hasn’t had the best showings at the Masters. He has qualified every year since 2014. Fizpatrick’s best finish at the event was 14th, and he has finished 30th or lower five times.
Fred Couples
Couples, at 63, is still an active golfer and former World No. 1 player. Since Couples is a former champion, having won the Masters in 1992, he still competes in the event. Couples shot 10-over par at the event last season.
Couples hasn’t played on the weekend at the Masters since 2018. Couples last finished in the top 20 at the Masters in 2017. It is nice the veteran still plays, but it is unlikely he’ll make the field.
Tiger Woods
Woods isn’t the player he used to be. The five-time Masters champion and 47-year-old American has shown that his health issues may be finally catching up to him. Last year at the Masters, Woods made the cut but shot 13-over par.
Woods shot a strong first round but wilted after returning from a knee injury. With Woods only saying he may only play Majors moving forward, it is fair to wonder what kind of former Woods is in.
Hideki Matsuyama
The Japanese golfer is a former Masters champion, but much like Zalatoris, he has struggled to stay healthy this season. Matsuyama was forced to withdraw from a recent event due to an injury. Over his career, Matsuyama has appeared at the Masters 12 times and missed the cut once in 2014.
There’s a chance his injury concerns may be over by the time the event starts, but it also could put him a step behind a competitive field.
Stay tuned for more golf picks!