{"id":230941,"date":"2022-04-07T12:51:47","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T12:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/masters-2022-golfs-new-generation-set-to-conquer-augusta\/"},"modified":"2022-11-28T08:51:54","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T08:51:54","slug":"masters-2022-golfs-new-generation-set-to-conquer-augusta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/masters-2022-golfs-new-generation-set-to-conquer-augusta\/","title":{"rendered":"Golf’s new generation set to conquer Augusta"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n

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AUGUSTA, GA. <\/em><\/strong>Coming into the men’s first major event in 2022 the nonstop chatter has centered on two past titans of the sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

First, it was on three-time green jacket winner Phil Mickelson. Lefty’s absence from Augusta for the first time since 1994 was even addressed by Masters chairman Fred Ridley during his annual Wednesday press conference. Ridley stated Phil had not been disinvited but opted to sit out this year’s event voluntarily. Interestingly, the communication between the two was via text and Phil has since gone dark in regards to when he might return to competitive golf, and whether his self-imposed sabbatical was simply voluntary or mandated by a PGA Tour suspension for non-flattering comments made regarding the operations of the Tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But the far larger story came with the re-emergence of Tiger Woods at a location where he has won five times — the most recent coming in 2019 ending an 11-year drought in claiming a major title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The 46-year-old Woods set off a tidal wave of excitement when he played Monday in a practice round. The gallery in attendance swarmed to see the 15-time major champ play the role of the piped piper with countless patrons traversing the verdant green fairways of Augusta National Golf Club to catch a glimpse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Justin Thomas (AP Photo\/Nam Y. Huh)<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Woods had long downplayed a return to competitive golf until he felt his game, and more importantly his health, returned to a level from which he could again believe he can compete against the best players in the world. The desire to see Tiger play again has created a fever pitch of excitement not seen since the likes of another 46-year-old did similarly in 1986 when winning his final major — Jack Nicklaus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But no matter the enthusiasm it must be soberly tempered by the fact that Woods has been on the sideline for such a prolonged period of time — the last time coming at the November 2020 Masters. And there’s no way to possibly fathom what his game will be like when he tees off at 10:34 AM with Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquin Neimann.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Niemann’s pairing with Tiger showcases just one of several rising stars as the 23-year-old Chilean won the Genesis Invitational this past February and has risen to 20th<\/sup>\u00a0in the world rankings after starting the year 31st.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But Neimann’s rise is exceeded by several others who have served notice they are now the next generation of golf’s dominant class of players. The bigger question mark remains to be answered – who among them can see it through until the green jacket at the 86th<\/sup>\u00a0Masters is draped around their shoulders?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Scottie Scheffler<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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The rise of Scottie Scheffler continues 📈 pic.twitter.com\/NcuTfOd2Zr<\/a><\/p>\r\n\u2014 PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 27, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n