Best Golfers Who can Win the Masters
Best Golfers Who can win The Masters
Scottie Scheffler
Defending at Augusta seems almost impossible and this is the only the sport's titans have made it: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. That's the whole list. But if anyone should bring the Masters back to modern times, it's Scheffler in its current form. Scheffler maintains his extraordinarily unconventional style and dominates again in early 2023.While Scheffler was terribly good going into the Masters last season after notching up three wins just months earlier, data from Data Golf shows he's even stronger in 2023. By this time Scheffler had already won Players Championship titles and this was repeated at the WM Phoenix Open.
Rory McIlroy
No player is under more internal pressure on the pitch than McIlroy. It's hard to believe that Rory, the biggest star of his generation, hasn't won a Main Event since the 2014 PGA Championship when he was just 25 years old. McIlroy hasn't won the Masters yet.He's arguably the most accomplished player not to have a Scottish-style cheeseburger at this week's Champions of Champions dinner. On paper, McIlroy's Augusta record is good. At last year's incredible Sunday 64, Rory took an unexpected second place. Those first two earned McIlroy seven notable top ten finishes over the past nine years. However, despite strong results, Rory has never been a credible threat to win the event during this period.Unless you factor in a last-lap crash in 2011, which I'm sure McIlroy would be happy to overlook.
Jordan Spieth
In the modern generation, no one can lay claim to Augusta's more consistent track record of creating more compelling moments than Jordan Spieth. In 2015 there is a memorable victory and two second places. Five top three finishes in nine starts sucks. Some players only have one view of Augusta, playing with her unique contours to get the best out of every situation. There is always a opportunity of a special hole or crazy shot. Spieth is under extreme pressure having not won a main event since the 2017 Open Championship, but his current form this week gives him plenty of optimism to fight.
Jon Rahm
A month ago it would have seemed crazy to have Rahm so low. Rahm looked absolutely unbeatable early in the season, winning three of his five starts on the PGA Tour. He was the living incarnation of Bowser in Mario Golf, a tall, powerful, sometimes volatile player with incredible length off the tee and enough skill on the greens to launch birdies at will. When Rahm is in overdrive, he can putt long enough to get away with the event. While the last month has been rocky, there's no way to list one player that makes it easy to turn on and become the best in every moment. Rahm has never finished the competition worse than 27th place, which is evident after four consecutive years in the top 10.
Cameron Smith
The defending Open champion has an exciting week ahead in Georgia. Smith is a great champion with a great track record in Augusta. The Aussie has had four top 10 finishes, including three top 5 finishes, over the past five years. He became the first player to score all four innings in the 1960s and finished second in 2020. But the enigma of LIV Golf v.it is impossible to miss. Smith did not play on the 2023 PGA Tour schedule. His skills and talent were lacking in the big games, which regularly pit top players against each other. After the season he had in 2022, Smith made every Best in the World call. Politics prevented Smith from defending his Tournament of Champions or Players Championship titles.Is Smith still among the true elite of golf, competing in every major tournament? The talent, track profile and trophy show Smith can win this week.
Xander Schauffele
The San Diego State product hopes to shake off the label of one of the more non-specialized talents in the game. Schauffele almost won in 2019 and 2021.
Justin Thomas
Two major championships and her love for Augusta National means Thomas is still a threat. A slow start to 2023 with just two 10s in nine events cast doubt on his recent form.
Patrick Cantlay
Despite growing into an all-around elite player, Cantlay has struggled to find that elite form at the Masters. The regular Tour top ten machine only makes one out of five appearances.
Collin Morikawa
One of golf's brilliant forwards has finally broken through the Masters and finished in the top five in 2022. Due to the recent drop in performance after a hot start, Morikawa is looking for answers this week.
Dustin Johnson
Despite an easier schedule at LIV Golf lately, it would be silly to list the former champion and Augusta great.
