Springtime is here, and that means it’s almost time for the green fairways and pearl white bunkers of Augusta to grace our screens once again. The masters is now just weeks away, and it promises to be as exciting as ever, bulging with storylines, ready for legacies to be won and lost over four days in the Georgia sunshine.

This year could define the careers of several of the sport’s finest. Could we see the first back-to-back Masters green jacket recipient in two decades? Will a legend of the sport finally win the major that’s always eluded them? Or will a newcomer make their first big splash on the world stage?

Here are 5 players to watch before we tee off at Augusta National in April:

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy exercised his demons last year at Augusta. After years of consistent failure, falling just short of the Majors Grand Slam, it was starting to look like The Masters would be McIlroy’s ‘white whale’. But in a dramatic sudden-death playoff last year, McIlroy finally won his green jacket.

Now, he’ll be looking to defend his title. McIlroy doesn’t have anything to prove, especially after he helped Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup. However, he could become the first golfer to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods in 2002. His form has been mixed, but with the weight of expectation off his shoulders, you cannot count him out.

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler is the favourite for the Masters. His ruthless consistency is hard to match. Quite frankly, the tournament is his to lose: if he performs to the level he is capable of over four days, there aren’t many in the field who could match him.

Most bookmakers have Scheffler as the favourite to win the tournament at 16/5 (at time of publication). Sports bettors can get involved, backing Scheffler or any other golfer, using the exclusive bet365 bonus code to back their favourites.

Justin Rose

Justin Rose was so close to glory last year. He charged back on the final day to take McIlroy to a playoff, but fell desperately short. His performance was near-flawless, but not enough.

Rose will be coming back with a vengeance. Oddsmakers have him as a long-shot at 50/1, but his experience at Augusta, including 3 2nd place finishes over the last 10 years, will always have him as a dark horse.

NB – Andy from Golf Today will be backing Justin EW.

Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau is one of the only members of the ‘rebel circuit’ LIV Golf to be among the most popular golfers in the world. He’s hugely popular on social media, and is always guaranteed to bring the entertainment on the course.

His big swing also transforms virtually every par-5 at Augusta into a par-4. He’s among the favourites, and would stand to gain a huge amount from victory at Augusta.

Tiger Woods

You cannot write off the most famous man in golf. Tiger has had two major surgeries in the past 12 months, and has dealt with several injuries that would end the careers of lesser golfers.

It’s not even confirmed that Tiger will be playing at Augusta in April. If he does, he won’t be in the conversation for a victory; it would be impressive if he made the cut-off. But seeing Tiger at any tournament is always a big ticket, and any tournament is better for his attendance.