As the azaleas bloom and the scent of magnolias fills the air, the golfing world once again looks forward to The Masters. At an event like no other, there is set to be storylines to suit in 2024, with the rejoining of PGA TOUR and DP World Tour players with their counterparts on the LIV Golf Tour, including defending champion, Jon Rahm. And despite the mighty will of the green-jacketed members, the course itself may end up sharing the limelight with those traversing its perfectly manicured fairways throughout the week.
Rahm himself has exited the traditional tours with relative grace, although he has shown some levels of discomfort about missing historic events on the regular PGA TOUR schedule; notably The Genesis Invitational at Riviera where the Spaniard was unable to defend his title earlier this year. All the more reason then for the fiery Rahm to come into his title defence at Augusta with the bit between his teeth.
Only three players have ever defended the Masters Tournament; Sir Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, and most recently, Tiger Woods (in 2001-02). If Rahmbo is to add his name to this incredible roster he’ll need to finish ahead of the 15-time Major Champion who is set to be in the field for the week. Woods is scheduled to makes his return to competitive golf at The Masters, after a tumultuous journey of injury and recovery. The player currently ranked at 988 in the world withdrew from The Genesis Invitational in February through injury (that meant neither him nor Rahm playing on Sunday!). However, The Big Cat is a constant threat at the year’s first Major … if his legs can carry him around the tasking 18-hole routing at Augusta National.
The ongoing battle for dominance, and the world’s best players, between the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf, has potentially overshadowed the sheer dominance of the current World #1 Scottie Scheffler, who comes into the tournament having been reacquainted with his touch on the greens. The Texan has more wins since the start of 2023 (5) than finishes outside of the Top 20 (3) – including going back-to-back at THE PLAYERS, and is sure to be amongst the favourites to once again pull on the Green Jacket; having done so previously in 2022.
His fellow PGA TOUR stars; Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark have shown varying levels of promise from their starts this year, and will come into The Masters hoping to add to their major tallies. McIlroy famously is seeking a victory here to complete the career Grand Slam, although with the pressure mounting each time he tees the ball up at this tournament, one could argue that this feat becomes more difficult with each year that passes.
And so what of the LIV Golf Tour and its stars. The league has nabbed some of the game’s top talents, including former Masters Champions; Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, and of course Jon Rahm, all of whom will be hoping for another moment of glory in Georgia come week’s end.
However, some of those looking for their first Green Jacket will likely be equally fancied, with Joaquin Niemann receiving a special exemption to the tournament on the back of his recent excellent play. It'll be no shock whatsoever if Niemann remains in contention throughout the week, with the same going for Major champions Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith. Koepka is commonly thought of as one of this generations top talents, and his raw ability has seen him claim 5 Majors, alongside second-place finishes at The Masters in 2019 and 2023. With a clean bill of health for his much-ailed knee, the American looks destined to play a part in this tournament.
Australian Cam Smith potentially comes into the week with some good value, having a wondrous short game that has helped him to claim three LIV Golf Tour victories since joining the rival league. The question as always being for those that have stepped away from the PGA TOUR, just how will their games stack up over the test of 72-holes at one of the most demanding setups in golf.
Related: Can Jon Rahm defend his Masters title this year?
As the golfing world converges on Augusta National, and the world’s best players from all tours come back together for a week in April, the stage for the 2024 Masters Tournament is set. This event has always been a stage where legends are born and legacies are cemented, and the 2024 edition promises to be no different.
Latest outright US Masters odds – via Betway.
- Scottie Scheffler – 9/2
- Rory McIlroy – 9/1
- Jon Rahm – 11/1
- Jordan Spieth – 18/1
- Viktor Hovland – 18/1
- Brooks Koepka – 20/1
- Will Zalatoris – 20/1
- Xander Schauffele – 20/1
- Ludvig Åberg – 22/1
- Patrick Cantlay – 22/1
- Cameron Smith – 25/1
- Justin Thomas – 25/1
- Wyndham Clark – 25/1
- Collin Morikawa – 28/1
- Hideki Matsuyama – 28/1
The Masters will air on Sky Sports Golf from April 11-14. For the full schedule of live coverage, visit skysports.com. For all the latest Masters betting odds, visit Betway.
