August, Ga. – We’ve got been ready for nearly 9 months for that yearly.
On the day the Golf of the 12 months Champion was topped within the British open and raised a jug for Claret in July, all eyes within the golf world flip to April in August, the place the subsequent main championship begins.
Irrespective of how agonizing it could be, as it may be within the lengthy winter, this wait is at all times price it.
This can’t be extra categorically indicated than the masters of this week, the place the plot traces are as plentiful because the lots of Georgia pine and the flowering azaleas are across the fabulous golf course.
Scottie driver, world participant # 1, will attempt to win his third craftsmen within the final 4 years. If he did, he would solely be the second participant he had ever executed – the opposite is Jack Niklaus, who received in 1963, ’65 and ’66.
Rory McIlroy Imakes its 11th attempt to complete the Grand Slam in the career And profitable the primary inexperienced jacket. If he received, he would solely develop into the sixth participant within the story who completed the Grand Slam within the profession.
Tiger Woods is the one participant who has executed it within the final 59 years. Machilroy is likely one of the 12 gamers who received three of the 4 legs of the fashionable helmet.
If Xander Shaffle wins, he’ll win three of the final 4 main championships, profitable the PGA Championship and British Open in 2024.
Then there’s a fascinating curiosity about how Liv Golf gamers will carry out. Save for a couple of exceptions, this week would be the first time we noticed the distinguished Liv gamers compete in opposition to one of the best gamers from the PGA Tour.
There are different auxiliary storylines that may seize the creativeness.
The sentimental consists of this to be the final craftsmen for 67-year-old Bernhard Langer, a two-time winner within the Inexperienced Jacket taking part in in his forty first Masters.
He might additionally develop into a goodbye to the Masters event for 65-year-old Fred pairs, who performed for the fortieth time in August.
There’s additionally the intrigue surrounding Angel Cabrera’s return to Augusta after spending two years in an Argentine jail for home violence.
As a masters champion in 2009, Cabrera was invited to the pitch, nonetheless uncomfortable it could be for a few of the members of the inexperienced skins and patrons.
While you obtain all these fascinating storylines, the celebs of the present this week are Mcilroy and Scheffler.
As ESPN analyst Curtis Unusual mentioned this week, “I am trying ahead to the Rory-Scottie present.”
For Scheffler, who received in 2022 and 2024, Augustus nationwide is his blissful place, his consolation zone. It could even be his yard.
For Machilroy, August Nationwide is the Home of Horror, the place of his most devastating injury.
Golf Channel Brandel Chamblee analyzer this week referred to as the “Nemesis” by Augusta Nationwide Mcilroy.
“This brings out the oldest golf in Rory yearly, which we see nearly yearly,” Chambell mentioned. “He’s lower than the outcomes yearly. There are issues about this golf course that have been very problematic for him.”
Nevertheless, Chambell factors out that “from a aggressive perspective”, McIlroy, who’s recent, received the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-AM championship and gamers this yr, “has by no means entered masters taking part in higher or extra” than it’s this week.
One other development in his is that not one of the different greatest gamers on this planet come into the week within the type of the shape by which it’s.
Schaeffler has not but received this yr, Colin Morikawa had a couple of relations however disappointing endings of Bay Hill and TPC, and Schauffele is getting off a sloping harm that introduced it again.
Additionally, not one of the greatest gamers of LIV GOLF – JON RAHM, Bryson Dechambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson or Cam Smith – can be not in excellent form.
“I’ll definitely not lower them, however they aren’t fairly their video games,” mentioned Golf Channel analyst and Mcilroy confidant Paul McGinli. “So, that might be ignited [McIlroy] A bit of too. “
Schaeffler, though the beginning of the season was slowing down due to a cooking crash by which he cuts his hand, doesn’t appear to want very tumultuous.
He goes cheerfully on his approach with out being adversely affected by something.
“For me, he’s nonetheless a favourite subsequent week,” McGinley mentioned. “I feel he has a recreation that’s actually appropriate to win there. He’s a really, very measured participant and measured gamers win round August.”
Chamber agreed.
“To the extent that I [say] The golf course doesn’t essentially have to satisfy Rory, it’s not essentially Bryson, it’s not even essential to suit Colin Morikawa, it suits in to Scottie as a Savile Row go well with, Chambell mentioned. “That is his blissful place.”
