AUGUSTA (USA): The car crash in February ensured Tiger Woods won’t be playing in this year’s Masters on the 20th anniversary of his “Tiger Slam” victory at Augusta National.
But there will be Five Players to Watch for at the 85th Masters:
Dustin Johnson (USA): Top-ranked defending champion captured his second major title last November in course record-shattering fashion, firing a 20-under-par 268 for a five-stroke victory.
Bryson DeChambeau (USA): The fifth-ranked reigning US Open champion spoke of overpowering Augusta National last November, but complained of health issues and thus never seemed to have a fair test. But now he will face a course in its spring prime with lightning-fast greens.
Rory McIlroy (NIR): The four-time major champion needs only a green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam but 11th-rannked McIlroy hasn’t won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship. He shared fifth last November, his sixth top-10 showing at Augusta National in seven years.
Jon Rahm (ESP): Watch the third-ranked Spaniard if you can. Rahm has six top-10 finishes this season, including a share of seventh at last year’s Masters and this January’s Tournament of Champions and Torrey Pines events. He also shared fifth at Riviera in February and ninth at The Players Championship in March. Seeks his first major title.
Justin Thomas (USA): Second-ranked Thomas won the 2017 PGA Championship for his only major title. He captured The Players Championship in March for his 14th career US PGA victory and at least one in every year starting in 2015. He was fourth in last year’s Masters.
