Looking forward to the 2023 Masters

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland is seen during practice round 2 at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Rory McIlroy is looking to win his first major in nine years at the Masters and complete the career grand slam in golf.

Scottie Scheffler is looking to win The Masters for a second year in a row and has a great chance as he was impressive in his latest win at The Players. Tiger Woods is playing his 25th Masters and it would be remarkable if he made the halfway cut. 18 players from the LIV Tour are playing at Augusta and 2020 Masters Champion Dustin Johnson has the best chance of winning it for the LIV Tour. Plenty of storylines and I’m excited for the first major of 2023.

In 2017 Rory McIlroy finished tied seventh at The Masters. In 2018 McIlroy finished tied fifth at Augusta. In 2020 McIlroy finished tied fifth for a second time in three years. In 2022 McIlroy shot a final round of 64 to finish second at The Masters. McIlroy is coming into this years Masters in good form after finishing third at WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay. McIlroy needs to get off to a good start and hopefully his good record continues at Augusta in 2023.

Jordan Spieth won his first major at The Masters in 2015. In 2016 Spieth let a big lead slip after visiting the water on the par 3 12th. Spieth finished in a tie for 11th in 2017 edition and finished third in 2018 after shooting a final round of 64. The American also finished third at 2021 edition. Spieth is coming into The Masters in good form after finishing tied third at the recent Valspar Championship. My opinion is that Spieth is going to win The Masters.

Will Zalatoris is continue to recover from an injury which he picked up after winning his first event in 2022. Zalatoris shot a final round of five under to finish tied sixth at 2022 The Masters. 2022 wasn’t the only year that Zalatoris has played well at Augusta as he finished second in 2021 edition.

Zalatoris is coming into The Masters not in good form as he has only finished once inside the top five in 2023. Zalatoris likes Augusta and my opinion is that he will finish in the top five this weekend.

Justin Rose lost in a play-off to Sergio Garcia at 2017 The Masters. In 2021 Rose finished seventh at Augusta. Rose returned to the winner’s circle in 2023 as he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Rose is planning to make the Ryder Cup team this year and a good finish at The Master will improve his chances. My opinion is that Rose will finish in the top five this weekend.

Hideki Matsuyama won his first major at The Masters in 2021. Matsuyama returned to form as he finished fifth at The Players Championship in March 2023. Matsuyama finished in a tie for 15th at the recent Valero Texas Open. I know Matsuyama’s form has been mixed this year but he is going back to a place were he had success at before which counts for a lot in golf. My opinion is that Matsuyama will finish in the top ten this weekend.

In 2020 Corey Conners finished tied 10th at The Masters. Conners continued to impress at Augusta as he finished eighth in 2021 edition. In 2022 Conners continued to play well at Augusta as he finished tied sixth. Conners is coming into The Masters in great form after winning the Valero Texas Open. My opinion is that Conners will finish in the top ten this weekend.

Other contenders that will be in the mix will be 2021 US Open champion Jon Rahm, 2022 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and 2021 The Open victor Collin Morikawa. Seamus Power & Shane Lowry are in The Masters and it would be great if they both play well in this year’s edition. I just hope that this year’s Masters is not won by a LIV Tour player. The Masters always guarantees drama and I hope you enjoy the action over the weekend.