America's Scottie Scheffler defends his title

Four days of sublime golf lie ahead of us as the best golfers in the world look to raise their game for the impeccable 87th edition of the US Masters at Augusta National in America (6-9 April) where American Scottie Scheffler looks to defend his 2022 title.

 

Traditionally the first Major of four in the year, the Masters is the only Major tournament to be held at the same venue each year since it began in 1934.  This year is extra special as the Masters times well with Easter.

 

The stage is set for another scintillating event with the beautiful, undulating course at Augusta National in Atlanta, Georgia manicured to its usual mind-blowing state of perfection.  For me, the golf season really begins this week.

 

Any moment now Mike Weir (Canada) and America’s Kevin Na will have the honour of teeing-off first in the Masters at Augusta National.

 

It’s highly likely that it will be a close call again this year.  With a bit of luck you’ll be sitting on the edge of your seat for the next four days, simply enthralled by it all!

 

Who to watch at Augusta National

 

After a glorious start to his season last year, America’s Scottie Scheffler was rated as the Number One Golfer in the World.  So perhaps it was no surprise to see the then 25-year old Texan storm ahead in the 2022 US Masters in April and take the lead after 36 holes.  His inspirational play saw him shoot rounds of 69, 67, 71 and 71 to win his first green Masters jacket with a tally of 278 (10-under par).  It was a superb tournament for the talented Scheffler.

 

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy played superbly too last year when he came from ten strokes behind the leader Scottie Scheffler on the Sunday to shoot an impressive 8-under par 64 to finish in second spot three behind the Texan.  It was McIlroy’s best final round score in a Major since 2014.

 

Top players in the world

 

So who are the current best golfers in the world on the Official World Golf Rankings list?  Well, surprise, surprise, Scottie Scheffler is still rated at the top as number one and Rory McIlroy is number two as well as heading the European Tour Order of Merit.  And guess what?  Both Scheffler and McIlroy are competing again in the Masters at Augusta National this week, along with the third and fourth players on the rankings: Jon Rahm (Spain) and Patrick Cantlay (America).

 

Masters history

 

Historically, the US Masters delivers some delicious and magical moments every year.  Way back on the 8th of April in 1935, a well-known American professional Gene Sarazen produced a glorious albatross in the final round of the US Masters at Augusta National.  In America they call an albatross a double-eagle.  And it was with a 4-wood that Sarazen struck his second shot some 215 meters onto the green and into the hole for a two at the par-5 15th hole.  This delightful shot got him into a play-off with Graig Wood the next day which Gene Sarazen won magnificently.  It was one of many inspirational shots over the years that carved Sarazen a remarkable career on the golf course in a lengthy 97-year span.

 

So who has been winning the US Masters over the last few years?

 

2016  Danny Willett (England)  5-under

2017  Sergio Garcia (Spain)  9-under

2018  Patrick Reed (USA)  15-under

2019  Tiger Woods (USA)  13-under

2020  Dustin Johnson (USA)  20-under

2021  Hideki Matsuyama (Japan)  10-under

2022  Scottie Scheffler (USA)  10-under

 

All I can say is just sit back, relax and be impressed by the best players in the world.  Enjoy the Masters!

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  American Scottie Scheffler was the proud winner of the US Masters in 2022.