We are getting closer and closer to the beginning of this years Masters tournament, due to get underway on April 6. First beginning in 1934, this will be the 87th edition of the tournament. Played on the incredible Augusta National Park, it is commonly seen as the biggest major championship in golf and therefore the most important date on the golfing calendar.
Last year it was Scottie Scheffler who emerged victorious and the American will be bidding to go back-to-back, continuing his good form in the tour so far.
Many fans will be preparing for the Masters already but maybe you are not quite sure how, especially if you are new to the sport. You may be wondering where or if you can watch the tournament on TV, who will be taking place and maybe even what the format of The Masters is. If that is the case then fear not, let us help best prepare you for the most exciting tournament in golf.
How does the tournament work?
Every round of The Masters is made up of 18 holes with four rounds all together. Each hole has a ‘par’, which is the number of shots or ‘strokes’ that the player has made to get the ball in the hole. Of course, the aim is to get it there with the least number of strokes. After the first two rounds are completed, only the top 50 scores go through to the next round. This includes tied scores. The winner is decided when the player with the best score on the final day (Sunday 9 April) is crowned champion.
How to watch
The Masters will be broadcast live on TSN and CTV in Canada or alternatively you can stream it on the Paramount Plus app.
Who is taking part?
Let’s take a look at the players who will be taking part in the tournament this year. As of writing, 83 players have qualified, but we shan’t go through each and every one of them. Let’s instead look at the main players.
Scottie Scheffler
Reigning champion Scottie Scheffler will head into the tournament on the back of a win in the Players Championship. He took home $4.5 million for that success and in turn became just the third player in history to hold The Players and The Masters at the same time He won the PGA Tour Player of The Year last year and has played strongly so far, with Masters odds having him as the current favorite for the tournament. however, in the entire history of The Masters only three other men have won it back-to-back in the form of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. Woods last achieved the feat in 2001 and 2002 making it over 20 years without anyone having repeated it. Superstition aside however, Scheffler is more than good enough to match it.
Rory McIlroy
Although he has been one of the best golfers of the last 20 years, McIlroy has always been the bridesmaid never the bride when it comes to The Masters. It is the only major that has eluded him throughout his career, and he is still gunning for his first green jacket. He has finished in the top 10 plenty of times and came second last year to boot. For all he has accomplished, there is no doubt that this is still an itch that needs scratching for the former world number one and maybe 2023 is the year he finally does.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm has earnt himself three wins so far in 2023 in the Sentry, American Express and Genesis invitational. His most impressive performance came when he shot a 10-under 63 in the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions to beat out Colin Morikawa. He had not played too strongly leading up to the final day but proved his further his impressive ability to bounce back. He had a disappointing year last year, capped off by a T27 finish at this tournament. However, he is entering this one on a good streak and will be hoping to carry that over to get his hands on his second major and first ever masters.
Whilst Scheffler, McIlroy and Rahm round out the favorites to win this tournament, there are still plenty in with a shout. Cameron Smith and Jordan Spieth are both in with a chance as is Patrick Cantlay, who is currently the highest ranked player to have never won a major (T4).
The Masters is consistently the most thrilling tournament in the PGA tour and it looks like this year will be no different. The PGA season so far has been incredible and the excitement is sure to reach a fever pitch by the time April 6 rolls round.
