Most golf fans will now be counting down the hours until the opening day of The Masters, with so many storylines heading into Augusta National.
Of course, the name everyone is looking out for is Rory McIlroy. Once again, the Northern Irishman is looking to end that wait for a fifth major, a first green jacket, and the career grand slam. There has rarely been more riding on a major win.
Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is on the brink of more history. The world number one could join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo as the only players to ever retain their Masters title with victory this year.
But the chasing pack is looking strong. Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa have the kind of records at Augusta National which suggest that they will win the event one day.
Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay names his Masters winner
Elsewhere, LIV Golf has a strong contingent going into the event. Jon Rahm won the first major of the year in 2023, while Phil Mickelson is the only three-time champion in the field. And many will be expecting a strong showing from Bryson DeChambeau.
So it is probably no surprise that Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay was a little hesitant when asked by CBS Sports to pick out his winner ahead of the opening round.
“If I had to pick I would say Scottie Scheffler, just because I think it’s so much easier to win The Masters having won it once or twice before,” he said.
“He has got far less pressure on him than a guy like McIlroy. But as much as I think that Scottie is going to win, Rory is the sentimental favourite. It would be great for golf and great for him. He is great for the game and I think a lot of people would get a real kick out of him winning the tournament.”
The frightening consistency of Scottie Scheffler at The Masters
Scheffler has not got off to the start to the 2025 season many would have expected, with the world number one yet to win on the PGA Tour heading into The Masters.
Few would have believed it had they been told that Scheffler would head to Augusta National with no victories under his belt in 2025. By this stage last year, the world number one had already won the likes of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
And he went on to produce a clinic at The Masters to secure his second green jacket in three years. It was remarkable how Scheffler appeared to almost be playing a different course on Sunday as those hoping to challenge him fell away.
While Scheffler has not been at his best this year, there is also no way that his form could be described as any kind of slump – with the American yet to finish outside the top 25 in any of his starts so far.
Scheffler also just does not make mistakes at Augusta. In five appearances, he has never finished outside the top 20. And in 20 rounds, he has shot over par on just two occasions.
Interestingly, Scheffler has shot 71 in seven of his 10 weekend rounds at Augusta National. That just highlights how he is able to manage the situation having done much of the hard work on Thursday and Friday.
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