Let the play begin at Augusta National!

The birds are singing gloriously and nature is simply bursting into colour.  And, not too surprisingly, the first of the four Major golf championships is about to get underway at Augusta National in Atlanta, Georgia (11-14 April).  The course is manicured to its usual mind-blowing impeccable condition ready for the US Masters of 2024.  The 29-year old defending champion from Spain, Jon Rahm is also itching to challenge the fairways at Augusta National in search of another Major title.

 

Players like the Number One golfer in the World, Scottie Scheffler (USA) and the Number Two in the World, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, are among Rahm’s strong contenders.  Norway’s Viktor Hovland had a tremendous US Masters in 2023.  He led the field on day one on 65, seven shots under par, together with Rahm and America’s Brooks Koepka.

 

Indeed, Hovland had a delightful opening round last year playing with 5-times Masters winner, Tiger Woods and Xander Schauffele from California.  Hovland’s bogey-free round of 65 was his best ever round in a Major.

 

And if you are wondering whether Tiger is due to play at Augusta National this year, then never fear as the great Tiger is set to attack the course once again.

 

Last year Jon Rahm became only the second Spaniard ever to win two Majors.  The other player was the incredible Seve Ballesteros.

 

So who was the leader on Sunday morning?  Well, that honour went to Brooks Koepka.  The 33-year old from Florida let his lead slip after nine holes where Jon Rahm nipped in with a two-stroke lead.

 

Currently Jon Rahm stands at Number Three in the World rankings and is pretty certain to set a tremendous score at Augusta National this year.  The best golfers in the world will be there along with some bright amateur players such as Sam Bennett from Texas who thoroughly enjoyed his first Masters.  Eight-under par after two rounds earned him the Best Amateur prize.

 

Heavy storms caused a lot of disruption in Atlanta last year so perhaps it is not too surprising to realise that Rahm did not improve on Brooks Koepka’s 36-hole score of 12-under par.  The Spaniard Rham closed the tournament at 12-under par to seize the trophy and the precious Green Jacket leaving Americans Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka in a tie for second place behind him on 8-under.

 

All eyes will be keenly watching Jon Rahm at Augusta National this week as he plays his way around the US Masters in the 88th edition.  So please sit down and relax with what promises to be a very entertaining and inspiring few days.

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

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

2023  Jon Rahm (Spain)  12-under

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Spaniard Jon Rahm was the proud winner of the US Masters in 2023.