Every year the Masters tournament rolls around and provides a number of intriguing storylines. WADE PRETORIUS picks out the ones to follow.
READ: Our tipster backs Rickie and other Major-less players
1. DJ under the radar? Again
A short 24 months ago Dustin Johnson was the hottest player on the planet. Not much has changed since that infamous stumble down the stairs ruled him out of the 2017 Masters… he continues to win freely and has ascended the top of the world rankings a number of times. Once again, he drives down Magnolia Lane somewhat under the radar. Wins in Saudi Arabia and Mexico, plus a T5 finish at The Players Championship means he’s got enough form to be a threat, but he’s been poor when chasing the Green Jacket. Ranked second in the world ahead of the first tee shot, he’s chasing just his second Major win.
2. Good luck Patrick
Only Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus have defended the Green Jacket. Patrick Reed is extremely unlikely, given his poor form: just three top 10s since his triumph to go with his poor Ryder Cup play (and the further public fallout from his post-event comments). He has brought in David Leadbetter to help fix his swing, but faces a mountain if he’s to put up a solid defence.
3. In search of the Slam
Copy and paste from 2018 when the Northern Irishman arrived, looking for the one thing missing from his trophy cabinet. Again, McIlroy is right in the mix as one of the pre-tournament favourites as he looks to win the event he held in the palm of his hand in 2011 but for his back nine implosion. Similarly, he had a magnificent chance when he entered the final round last year in the last group with Reed, but could only stumble to a closing 74.
Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only players to have completed the slam. Can Rory do it before Phil Mickelson has a chance at the US Open, and Jordan Spieth at the PGA Championship?
4. Tiger talk
Two years ago Tiger Woods needed assistance to walk and couldn’t swing a club. Now, he arrives in confident mood (albeit that his form in 2019 has not yet matched his 2018 exploits) and is chasing his fifth Green Jacket; the first since 2005. The bookies continue to back him for what will be one of sport’s greatest stories, should he prevail.
5. Spieth at the crossroads
Hard to believe Jordan Spieth’s game is where it is right now, without a win since his epic at the 2017 Open Championship, his struggles with a putter, and a slide down to 32nd in the world rankings. He arrives at Augusta knowing that this place is unlike any other and a venue that has become his playground. The 12th hole demons aside (he was set for a title defence before imploding in 2016, dunking two balls into the water at the par-3 12th hole, carding a quadruple bogey to lose to England’s Danny Willet), he has a fantastic record with a win, two runners-up, a third place and a T11. Spieth has, astonishingly, led 8 out of 20 rounds he has played at Augusta and could be one to watch after he showed a glimpse of form last week in Texas.
