Steve Palmer
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The Masters has arrived, as the most anticipated week on the golfing calendar gets underway this Thursday. To help you pick out your golfers, I’ve gone through every man lining up at Augusta National and broken them down in this player-by-player guide.
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Abraham Ancer
Texas-born-and-based Mexican stunned punters last week by withdrawing on the eve of the Texas Open, despite having staged a media conference. No reason was disclosed. Solid Masters form of 13-26, but under sudden injury suspicion.
Daniel Berger
Floridian with ugly swing squandered a five-shot final-round lead in the Honda Classic in February. Augusta form of 10-27-32-MC. Has won four low-grade PGA Tour events, but may lack the class to become a Major champion.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Accurate South African with sharp short-game, making third Masters appearance (38-40). Three-time European Tour winner, but PGA Tour maiden. Short on Major experience and last PGA Tour top-ten finish came more than a year ago.
Sam Burns
Class act who has won three PGA Tour titles in just over 11 months, including last time out in the Valspar Championship. Full of form and confidence, but making Masters debut and has never bettered 29th place in a Major.
Patrick Cantlay
Former world number one amateur was stalking top spot in the pro rankings until going off the boil over the last month or so, finishing 33rd at his beloved Riviera, missing the cut at Sawgrass (from a good set of tee-times), then winning only once in the WGC-Match Play. Probably a small blip for the FedEx Cup champ. Masters form of 47-MC-9-17-MC.
Paul Casey
Back spasms meant an early exit from the WGC-Match Play last time out. The 44-year-old has five Masters top-tens under his belt, but backers will be taking a leap of faith this time with regards to his health. He was third at Sawgrass prior to the Match Play, so dangerous if fit.
Cameron Champ
Inconsistent but gifted powerhouse with three PGA Tour titles on his CV. Zero top-20 finishes since winning the 3M Open last July. Two decent Masters spins (19-26) and his ability to destroy the Augusta par-fives make for an interesting outsider at enormous odds.
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Stewart Cink
Former Open champion with a top-three finish in each of the four Majors. Third at Augusta in 2008 and 12th last year. Eight missed cuts in the last nine months hint that age is catching up with a man who turns 49 in May.
Corey Conners
Third place in the WGC-Match Play was a continuation of rock-solid form from the accurate Canadian. He closed with a 67 for a share of 35th in the Texas Open last week. Progressive Masters results of MC-46-10-8 are respectable. Has won only one PGA Tour title, though, and putting often lets him down badly.
Fred Couples
Grand old stager treading the boards at the age of 62. The 1992 champion used to be an Augusta leaderboard regular, but he has missed the cut in the last three Masters.
Cameron Davis
Sweet-swinging Australian made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Rocket Mortgage Classic last summer. In dismal form heading for his Masters debut.
Bryson DeChambeau
Controversial slugger making sixth Masters appearance (21-38-29-34-46). Has been struggling with left wrist and hip injuries in the last few weeks, and was winless in the WGC-Match Play before missing the cut by six shots in the Texas Open last week.
Tony Finau
Victory in The Northern Trust last August was quickly followed by Ryder Cup success, but 2022 has been hugely disappointing. This big-hitter is proven at Augusta (10-5-38-10), but he has arrived this time desperately short of form. Tied 29th in Texas last week.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
PGA Tour maiden who has triumphed seven times on the DP World Tour. Humdrum Masters record (MC-7-32-38-21-46-34), but rock-solid 2022 form. Can be expected to play well without seriously threatening the Green Jacket.
Tommy Fleetwood
Position in top 50 of the world rankings is under threat as his winless spell continues. The 2019 Nedbank Challenge was his last success. He blew a great opportunity in the Saudi International in February and it would be a shock if the drought ended at Augusta, where he has never bettered 17th place.
Sergio Garcia
Playoff success over Justin Rose at Augusta in 2017 meant a Major breakthrough for the mercurial Spaniard, but he has failed to make a Masters cut since claiming the Green Jacket. Weekend employment seems likely this time, but the 42-year-old is an unattractive outright option.
Lucas Glover
Crisp ball-striker who traditionally struggles on the greens. A 2009 US Open triumph provided his career highlight. Four missed cuts in eight Masters starts, with a best finish of 20th (2007). Tied 18th in Texas Open last week.
Talor Gooch
Accurate Oklahoman made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the RSM Classic last November. Has been solid since and will have high hopes of making the cut on his Masters debut.
Austin Greaser
US Amateur runner-up and one of six amateurs in the field. The 22-year-old has never been ranked better than 21st in the world amateur rankings.
Stewart Hagestad
US Mid-Amateur champion turns 31 on Masters Sunday. Was low amateur (36th place) in his only previous Masters (2017). World amateur ranking of 13.
Brian Harman
Diminutive left-handed Georgia man tied for second in the 2017 US Open. Masters form of MC-44-12. Tied fifth in the Valspar Championship in his last strokeplay event. Two-time Tour champion with top-20 claims.
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Padraig Harrington
Three-time Major champion eager to resurrect playing career aged 50 after unsuccessful spell as European Ryder Cup captain. First Masters visit since missing the cut in 2015. Has never bettered fifth place at Augusta.
Tyrrell Hatton
Feisty Englishman with poor Masters record (MC-44-56-MC-18). Has missed the cut in five of the last seven Majors, but a decent 2022 campaign suggests he will be competing this weekend.
Russell Henley
Three-time PGA Tour champion who is yet to post a top-ten finish in a Major. Lost a Sony Open playoff to Hideki Matsuyama in January. Seems likely to card four decent rounds without seriously contending.
Lucas Herbert
Australian 26-year-old made PGA Tour breakthrough in the Bermuda Championship in October, earning a Masters debut in the process. He tied seventh at Bay Hill last month and took the scalps of Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele in the Match Play.
Garrick Higgo
South African left-hander has been badly struggling for form in the lead-up to his Masters debut. Missed the Texas Open cut by five shots last week. Major form of 64-MC-MC is also off-putting.
Harry Higgs
Charismatic 30-year-old slugger making Masters debut. Only previous Major resulted in fourth place in last year’s US Open. A PGA Tour maiden who is difficult to fancy.
Tom Hoge
Accurate iron-play is the key to success at Augusta and that is the strength of the 32-year-old Carolinian, who won his maiden PGA Tour title at Pebble Beach in February. Masters debutant who has never bettered 43rd place in a Major.
Max Homa
Three-time PGA Tour champion at the age of 31, but the Californian has a miserable Majors record, with seven missed cuts from nine starts and a best finish of 40th. This will be his third attempt at making an Augusta weekend, but encouraging recent form suggests he will succeed.
Billy Horschel
Floridian 35-year-old playing some of the best golf of his career. The former FedEx Cup champion won the WGC-Match Play and the BMW PGA Championship last season and has been in rock-solid form this term. Masters results (37-MC-17-MC-56-38-50) are off-putting. Only one top-ten finish in 32 Majors.
Viktor Hovland
Hugely talented Norwegian who has been threatening top spot in the world rankings. Has won three of his last 11 tournaments. Competed for four weeks in a row, before finally taking a breather last week. Masters form of 32-21. Looks ready to win Majors.
Mackenzie Hughes
Canadian plodder with sharp short-game. Has missed the cut in four of his last six strokeplay events. Augusta form of MC-40.
Sungjae Im
Korean star tied for second place in the 2020 Masters, but that was in November conditions. He missed the cut in April last year. A four-shot Shriners Open victory in October hinted at big things, but his form has dipped in the last couple of months.
Aaron Jarvis
Latin America Amateur champion. The first person to represent the Cayman Islands in the Masters. The weakest of the six amateurs by a long way.
Dustin Johnson
Former world number one and 2020 Masters (November) champion. Tied second in the 2019 Masters. Five Augusta top-tens on CV. He is winless since the Saudi International in February, 2021, but some bright recent form – ninth at Sawgrass, fourth in the Match Play – means the Carolinian giant has become a huge Masters threat.
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Zach Johnson
America’s new Ryder Cup captain is 46 and becoming less of a threat in Majors. He won the 2007 Masters in super-tough conditions with a one-over-par total, but has missed seven Augusta cuts and should be outgunned in pleasant weather this week, despite decent Texas Open warm-up (tied 13th).
Takumi Kanaya
Japanese 23-year-old who has won three times on his home circuit. Tied 58th in his only previous Masters – the only one of his five Majors in which he has made the cut. Weekend employment will be his target. Missed the cut by five shots in Texas last week.
Si Woo Kim
Inconsistent and injury-prone Korean who has won three times on the PGA Tour. Decent Masters record (MC-24-21-34-12). Infamously putted with a fairway wood after snapping his putter in round two last year. Difficult to trust. Tied 13th in Texas on Sunday.
Kevin Kisner
WGC-Match Play runner-up effort followed fourth place at Sawgrass, so the accurate Carolinian has arrived in form. He says Augusta is too long for him, though, and a record of 37-43-28-21-MC-MC suggests he is right.
Brooks Koepka
Dual US Open champion and dual US PGA champion seeking first Green Jacket. Tied second at Augusta in 2019, but missed the Masters cut last year. Inconsistent in the build-up this year. Lost to Dustin Johnson in the quarter-finals of the WGC-Match Play last time out.
Jason Kokrak
Saudi-sponsored 36-year-old who has made it clear he would be happy to join the rival Tour in Saudi Arabia. The three-time PGA Tour champion has made no impact in two Masters starts (MC-49) and has never finished in the top ten in a Major.
Bernhard Langer
German stalwart, a two-time Masters champ, is going to post at Augusta for the 39th time at the age of 64. Has made the cut in six of the last nine Masters. Evergreen veteran won again on the Champions Tour in February.
Kyoung-hoon Lee
Korean 30-year-old with one PGA Tour title under his belt. Masters debut. Has never made the cut in a Major (four attempts).
Min Woo Lee
Sweet-swinging Australian youngster making Masters debut. Missed the cut on Major debut in Open last year. He missed cut by three shots in Texas last week.
Marc Leishman
Amiable Aussie, fourth at Augusta in 2013 and fifth last year, has won five PGA Tour titles as an individual. Form has tailed off over last month, so a Major breakthrough on Sunday seems unlikely.
Luke List
Big-hitting 37-year-old who lives in Augusta. Putting improvements helped him land maiden PGA Tour title at Torrey Pines in January. Tied 33rd in only previous Masters. Has missed the cut in eight of 12 Major appearances. Top-20 claims.
Shane Lowry
Former Open champion seeking first Stateside Major title. The 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational remains the Irishman’s only success in America. Recent form has been encouraging, including second place in the Honda Classic, and an Augusta PB may be coming for a man who has never bettered 21st place in six Masters starts.
Sandy Lyle
Scottish 64-year-old who has essentially been making up the numbers at Augusta since his 1988 victory. Twenty two missed cuts have followed, including the last seven, with a best finish of 20th place in 2009.
Robert MacIntyre
Left-handed Scot qualified for this Masters by finishing 12th on his Augusta debut 12 months ago. Yet to miss a cut in seven Major starts and finished eighth in the Open last year. Some bright form over the last couple of months suggests he will keep the cut streak going.
Hideki Matsuyama
An anchor-like weight was lifted from his shoulders after he became Japan’s first Major champion at Augusta last year. Victories in the Zozo Championship and Sony Open have followed but back and neck injuries have been blighting him in recent weeks and he withdrew after 27 holes of the Texas Open last Friday.
Rory McIlroy
Completing a career Grand Slam of Majors has been the target for the four-time Major champion ever since he won the Open in 2014. It has been a case of close but no cigar in Slam attempts – 4-10-7-5-21-5-MC – and a ragged, cut-missing warm-up in the Texas Open last week may have provided an untimely dent to confidence.
Guido Migliozzi
Masters debut for the 24-year-old Italian, who started wearing glasses on the golf course this season, rapidly falling outside the world’s top 100. Tied fourth on his Major debut in the US Open last year, but it would be a shock should he contend at Augusta.
Larry Mize
Augusta-born 63-year-old won his only Major at Augusta in 1987. Has missed the cut in sixteen of the last 21 Masters.
Francesco Molinari
Typically accurate Italian won his only Major in the 2018 Open Championship. A tie for fifth in 2019 – when he surrendered a Sunday lead to Tiger Woods – is his best Masters finish in ten spins. He has been battling to stay inside the world’s top 200 this year.
Collin Morikawa
Precise iron-play is usually the key to success at Augusta – and arguably nobody in the world is superior in this department to the 25-year-old Californian. Two Major titles have come quickly for the former world number one amateur and a Green Jacket would put him only a US Open away from a Grand Slam. Augusta results of 44-18. A share of 68th place in the Valspar Championship was followed by a 7&6 defeat to Abraham Ancer at the last-16 stage of the Match Play, so the Augusta build-up has not gone perfectly.
Kevin Na
Five-time PGA Tour champion who has never made a serious impact in Majors. A tie for 12th, which he has managed three times, is his best Masters finish in ten appearances.
Keita Nakajima
Japanese amateur who is hoping to become the next Hideki Matsuyama. He is the best amateur in the world and won on the Japan Tour in September, before finishing 41st in the Sony Open on the PGA Tour in January. Going places fast.
Joaquin Niemann
A runaway success in the high-class Genesis Invitational in February was the Chilean’s second PGA Tour triumph. The 23-year-old is making his third Masters start (MC-40). Classy and improving, but has zero top-20s from 11 Major appearances.
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Jose Maria Olazabal
Dual Masters champion (1994, 1999) making 33rd appearance aged 56. Tied 50th last year, but has missed nine of last 12 Augusta cuts.
Louis Oosthuizen
Lifted the Claret Jug at St Andrews in 2010, but he has never won a tournament in America. The South African has finished second in every Stateside Major, including when losing a playoff to Bubba Watson at Augusta in 2012. Has made the last eight Masters cuts. Can extend that sequence, but may not be playing well enough to seriously contend.
Ryan Palmer
Popular veteran was halfway leader in the Texas Open last week, before finishing 48th. Three-time PGA Tour champion, but the last came in 2010. Best finish of tenth place in six previous Masters. Has missed the cut in his last three Majors.
Thomas Pieters
Underachieving powerhouse has won six times in Europe at the age of 30, but is yet to lift silverware Stateside. The former Ryder Cup star finished fourth on his Masters debut in 2017 and missed the cut on his only subsequent visit. He can destroy the Augusta par-fives and the Abu Dhabi champion could be worth chancing each-way at juicy odds after producing some excellent golf in the WGC-Match Play last time out.
James Piot
Michigan man won the US Amateur Championship last year. He won the Georgia Cup last month. Arguably the equal of Hagestad as the biggest dangers to Nakajima for top amateur honours.
Seamus Power
Irishman enjoying the form of his life. Made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Barbasol Championship last summer and has moved inside the top 50 of world rankings. Lost to eventual champion Scottie Scheffler in the quarter-finals of the WGC-Match Play last time out. Major debut this week, so little can be expected.
Jon Rahm
A last-16 defeat to Koepka in the WGC-Match Play last out, coupled with success for Scheffler, meant the Spaniard lost his world-number-one ranking. Rahmbo won only two of his four matches at the Match Play, is winless since the US Open and has been tetchy this year, struggling with his putting. Augusta results of 27-4-9-7-5 suggests he will claim a Green Jacket one day, but recent form has been underwhelming.
Patrick Reed
Victory over Rahm in their Match Play group was a bright nugget in an otherwise humdrum Masters build-up for the 2018 champion. He is Augusta-proven (10-8 the last two years) but has not posted a top-20 finish in a full-field event since the Bermuda Championship in October.
Justin Rose
Experienced Englishman has twice finished second at Augusta, losing a playoff to Garcia in 2017. Sixteen Masters starts have yielded 15 top-40s. Course-proven, but lacking consistency at the age of 41, slipping outside the world’s top 50.
Xander Schauffele
Olympic gold provided some respite for the Californian as he deals with a PGA Tour victory drought which stretches back to January, 2019. Endured a near-miss at last year’s Masters, carding a triple-bogey at the 16th hole in the final round, finishing third. Augusta form of 50-2-17-3 commands respect. Can be expected to contend without claiming the Jacket.
Scottie Scheffler
World-number-one status came after WGC-Match Play glory last time out – his third victory in the last two months. From the Phoenix Open onwards, the Texas-based slugger has hardly put a foot wrong, suffering from the wrong side of a significant draw bias when 55th in the Players Championship. Masters form of 19-18 and Majors form of 4-19-18-8-7-8 provides further encouragement. Negatives are difficult to identify.
Charl Schwartzel
Power-packed South African, Masters champion in 2011 and third in 2017, looks set to slip back outside the world’s top 200 after a miserable run of form. November last year provided his last cut made on the PGA Tour.
Adam Scott
Australia’s only Masters champion defeated Angel Cabrera in a 2013 playoff. Has made every Masters cut from 2010 onwards, but winless since February, 2020. One of many who appears set to play well without threatening the Jacket.
Laird Shepherd
Looked out for the count when eight down in the final of the British Amateur, but the Englishman fought back to triumph. Has never bettered 34th place in world amateur rankings.
Webb Simpson
US Open glory arrived for the Carolinian in 2012, followed by a four-shot triumph in the 2018 Players Championship. The seven-time Tour champ has four years of solid Augusta form behind him (20-5-10-12), but neck problems have blighted the 36-year-old this term, so he is easy to overlook in the outright market.
Vijay Singh
Willowy Fijian still treading the boards aged 59. The former world number one won the Masters in 2000 – the second of three Major titles. His last Masters top-20 finish came in 2008.
Cameron Smith
Mullet-loving Aussie enjoyed the greatest victory of his career last time out – topping the leaderboard at Sawgrass in the Players Championship. The 28-year-old started the year by winning the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Solid Augusta form (55-5-51-2-10), but it must be noted the second place came in November conditions.
JJ Spaun
Texas Open success on Sunday evening booked the Californian a Masters debut. If the 31-year-old follows his maiden PGA Tour title by making the Augusta cut, he can give himself a pat on the back. Major form of 35-54-MC.
Jordan Spieth
Augusta form figures of 2-1-2-11-3-21-46-3 stand up to the closest inspection. The Texan must always be considered for the Masters, but aside from a runner-up effort on the short courses of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, the three-time Major champ has not done enough this year to justify investment. Last week as defending champion in the Texas Open, he topped the tee-to-green stats but was bottom of the putting stats, closing with a 67 for 35th place.
Sepp Straka
Georgia-based Austrian made his PGA Tour breakthrough in the Honda Classic in February. Masters debut, but made the cut in both previous Major starts. A lively candidate in the top debutant market.
Hudson Swafford
University of Georgia graduate, who still lives in the state. Three-time PGA Tour champion, but has missed the cut in all six previous Major starts, including twice at Augusta. Sunday 76 in Texas sent him to the Masters in low spirits.
Justin Thomas
Putting woes continue to hinder the 28-year-old Kentucky man. Typically stellar iron-play puts him near the top of many punters’ Masters shortlist, but his only Major victory was in 2017 and his last PGA Tour success was almost 13 months ago. A strong tee-to-green performance can be expected, but will he hole enough on the dancefloors?
Erik van Rooyen
Mild-mannered South African withdrew with a back injury after a first-round 76 in only previous Masters appearance (2020). Has missed his last three Major cuts. Winless in the Match Play last time out.
Harold Varner
PGA Tour maiden who has won two decent overseas titles – the 2017 Australian PGA Championship and the 2022 Saudi International. Masters debutant has never bettered 29th place in a Major.
Bubba Watson
Dual Masters champion (2012, 2014) who was fifth in 2018. Twelve-time PGA Tour victor aged 43. Inconsistent and difficult to fancy, despite obvious love for venue.
Mike Weir
Donned the Green Jacket in 2003, but has missed nine of the last 11 Masters cuts and turns 52 in May.
Lee Westwood
Veteran Englishman turns 49 at end of this month, still seeking Major breakthrough. Has twice finished second in the Masters. Nine top-threes in Majors. A year of dodgy form – no top-20s in a PGA Tour strokeplay event – makes him an unappealing outright wager. Missed the Texas Open cut by six shots last week.
Danny Willett
Career highlight came with Masters glory in 2016. Has made only one Augusta cut since slipping into his Green Jacket. Last PGA Tour top-20 finish came almost exactly a year ago.
Matthew Wolff
Erratic talent with odd swing who can go from the sublime to the ridiculous. Runner-up in the 2020 US Open, but this is his third attempt at making a Masters cut. Looks to be drifting outside the world’s top 50. Turns 23 next week.
Gary Woodland
Florida-based Kansas man was solid in Texas last week, sharing eighth place. That effort followed a near-miss in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Became a Major champion in the 2019 US Open, but yet to land a blow in the Masters (24-WD-26-MC-MC-MC-32-MC-40).
Tiger Woods
The best player of his generation – and arguably all-time – almost suffered a leg amputation in the wake of his high-speed car crash in February last year. An incredible recovery has followed and the 15-times Major champion may be set to compete in his first Major since the 2020 Masters. The living legend won his fifth Masters title in 2019. The 46-year-old played surprisingly well in the PNC Championship pairs event with his son Charlie in December, but after almost 17 months away from proper competition, a sixth Augusta success would be the greatest sports story ever told.
Cameron Young
Power-packed 24-year-old New Yorker, who won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, and tied second in the Genesis Invitational in February. A Masters debutant who is yet to make the cut in a Major.
Will Zalatoris
Ball-striking colossus who struggles with putter in hand. Runner-up on Masters debut last year. Three top-tens in six Major starts. A playoff loser in the Farmers Insurance Open in January and a losing quarter-finalist in the WGC-Match Play last time out. Commands respect, but it is difficult to imagine the Tour maiden holding himself together on the greens on Sunday.
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