The Masters Tips & Preview - Top contenders for Augusta National 2023

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 03 Apr 2023

Brad Newcomb 03 Apr 2023

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The Masters takes place between 6-9 April at Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia
Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion
Our 4 selections who can win the title

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Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion (Getty Images)

A star-studded field of the world's elite golfers has descended upon the famous greens at Augusta National to compete for the first Major of the year. Which golfer will don the Green Jacket come Sunday?

The strongest field to date will compete for top honours this weekend as the LIV Golf League players feature alongside their PGA Tour rivals for the first time this year.

Scottie Scheffler returns to Augusta National to defend his title after a three-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy in 2022.

These are our four selections that could win the Green Jacket this weekend.

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler has re-emerged as the best golfer in the world after tussling with Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm for top honours.

Scheffler had a slow start to his season by finishing T45 at the CJ Cup, but refound this touch by placing T3 at the World Wide Technology Championship, T9 at the Houston Open, 2nd at the Hero World Challenge, T7 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, and T11 at the American Express before defending his title at the WM Phoenix Open.

The 26-year-old American continued his impressive form on the PGA Tour by finishing T12 at the Genesis Invitational and T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before winning the Players Championship and placing 4th at the recent WGC Dell Technologies Match Play.

The world number one golfer has an impressive record at Augusta National, placing T19 on debut in 2020, T18 in 2021 and winning in 2022.

Scheffler aims to become the first player to win two consecutive Green Jackets in 20 years and will fancy his chances, as he has returned to his best in recent months, emulating the form that saw him go on to claim his first Major in his career at Masters last year.

Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm was in electrifying form on the PGA Tour at the start of the year, placing T4 at the CJ Cup in South Carolina, T8 at the Hero World Challenge, winning the Sentry Tournament of Champions, winning the American Express before finishing T7 at the Farmers Insurance Open, 3rd at the Phoenix Open and victory at the Genesis Invitational.

The 28-year-old Spaniard has struggled with consistency on the golf course lately, finishing T39 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and W/D at the Players Championship and being eliminated in the group of the Match Play.

The world number three has an exceptional record at the Masters, placing T27 in 2017, 4th in 2018, T9 in 2019, T7 in 2020, T5 in 2021, and T27 in 2022.

Rahm has not been at his best in his last three starts; however, one cannot ignore his form before his recent performances. He has an excellent chance if he hits his stride at Augusta National.

Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay started his year well by placing T2 at the Shriners Children's Open and T16 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions before finishing T26 at the American Express and missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open.

The world number four's subsequent four starts have been excellent, placing 3rd at the Genisis Invitational, T4 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T19 at the Players Championship, and T9 at the recent WGC Dell Technologies Match Play.

The 31-year-old has featured five times at the Masters, achieving poor to solid results. He missed the cut in 2018, placed T9 in 2019, T17 in 2020, MC in 2021, and finished T39 in 2022.

Cantlay is the best golfer in the current crop of players yet to win a Major in his career but has the form to triumph in Georgia. Can he finally do it?

Sungjae Im

Sungjae Im has threatened to win on the PGA Tour this season and is the long-shot value bet at the Masters.

Im's first six tournaments produced average to solid results, placing 7th at the Shriners Children's Open, T29 at the ZOZO Championship, T34 at the CJ Cup, T8 at the Hero World Challenge, T13 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions before missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Korean bounced back to form by placing T18 at the American Express, T4 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and T6 at the WM Phoenix Open before finishing T56 at the Genesis Invitational and T42 at the Honda Classic.

He has been consistent in his subsequent three starts, placing T21 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T6 at the Players Championship, and T17 at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play.

The 24-year-old has made three appearances at the Masters, placing T2 on debut in 2020, missing the cut in 2021 and finishing T8 in 2022.

Im has had five-ten places this season and has the game to cause an upset at Augusta National.

Verdict

The Masters 2023

Scheffler has claims to win back-to-back Masters tournaments in Georgia this weekend.

Rahm has lifted three trophies this season and has the game to secure a Green Jacket.

Cantlay has been thereabouts and can convert his recent performances into victory at Augusta National.

Im can upstage the others and take home the winner's cheque this weekend.

Scottie Scheffler

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