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With the 88th Masters quick approaching, the important thing query everybody’s asking is identical throughout the golf world: Who’re you selecting to win this 12 months at Augusta Nationwide? With a rare subject that includes one of the best professionals and lots of the high amateurs on this planet, the primary main championship of 2024 must be an epic experience from Thursday’s first spherical via the awarding of the inexperienced jacket early Sunday night.
Whereas the Masters subject is stacked, the final two champions — Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm — are driving momentum into the event. Rahm is searching for to develop into the primary golfer to win consecutive inexperienced jackets since Tiger Woods, whereas Scheffler’s blistering play has him standing because the clear favourite to win twice at Augusta Nationwide in a three-year span. In contrast to two years in the past when there have been no single-digit favorites coming into the Masters, Scheffler holds that distinction at 9/2.
Rahm and Rory McIlroy comply with at 11-1 with the latter nonetheless searching for his first inexperienced jacket. Ought to he obtain it, the long-desired profession grand slam would lastly be full for McIlroy.
There are many golfers behind them who will certainly be in competition, together with Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland, all of whom are among the many high gamers on the chances board. Try the complete slate of Spherical 1 tee occasions and groupings scheduled for the Masters on Thursday, and plan your day with our Masters TV schedule and protection information.
After which there’s the duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the previous making the minimize the final two years just for his physique to fail him coming into the weekend. Tiger stands at 140-0 coming into the Masters, whereas Mickelson (regardless of enjoying extra often) is 200-1.
So, what’s going to occur at Augusta Nationwide this week? Let’s check out a full set of predictions and picks from our CBS Sports activities specialists as we try and mission who will win — and what’s going to occur — on the most prestigious golf event on this planet.
Watch all 4 rounds of the 2024 Masters beginning Thursday with Masters Dwell as we comply with one of the best golfers on this planet via Augusta Nationwide with Featured Teams, test in on the famed Amen Nook and see leaders around the activate holes 15 & 16. Watch reside on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports activities app and Paramount+.
2024 Masters professional picks, predictions
Kyle Porter, senior golf author
Winner — Scottie Scheffler (4-1): I attempted as exhausting as I may to select someone apart from Scheffler, however after listening to Viktor Hovland discuss how disciplined a participant must be along with his irons and the place he misses — after which combining that with the outrageous degree at which Scheffler is enjoying (once more, he is at 3.2 strokes gained tee to inexperienced per spherical this 12 months whereas just one different golfer is over 2.0) — it positive does appear to be Scheffler will get a second inexperienced jacket.
Sleeper — Cameron Younger (50-1): There are a whole lot of golfers within the 45-1 to 60-1 vary that I like, together with Sahith Theegala, Russell Henley, Si Woo Kim and Shane Lowry. However I like Younger probably the most. Why? He is enjoying good golf (he narrowly misplaced the Valspar Championship and is fifth on this planet in ball hanging this 12 months) and has been superior at main championships, together with a high 10 at Augusta final 12 months.
High 10 lock — Hideki Matsuyama: Matsuyama’s historical past at Augusta Nationwide is underrated. He has not missed a minimize since 2014, has 4 consecutive high 20s and is enjoying in addition to anybody on this planet this 12 months not named “Scheffler.” He is flying in beneath the radar and is one of the best high 10 worth within the subject.
Star who positively will not win — Jon Rahm: It is troublesome to return to again at any main, a lot much less a Masters, the place there are extraordinary tasks for a defending champion. Rahm’s vibe on Tuesday was not precisely jubilant, both; he needed to subject questions concerning the Official World Golf Rankings, his transfer to LIV Golf and whether or not he thought that transfer was going to convey LIV and the PGA Tour again collectively. There was one thing a bit … off with him, and I do not suppose that is going to translate very properly in his title protection. That stated … I put him on this area final 12 months, and he proved me fallacious.
Scottie Scheffler vs. Jon Rahm: Scheffler by a mile. He has misplaced to 1 golfer in his final three occasions, and for all the explanations outlined above, Rahm’s disposition is a little bit of a priority for me proper now.
Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson: Mickelson, but it surely’s shut. This one is troublesome. Tiger is seemingly hitting the golf ball properly, however I am unable to belief that he’ll end the event given he is solely accomplished one main because the 2020 PGA Championship.
Shock prediction — Par is sweet: In recent times, regardless of course modifications, scoring has been most likely simpler than many people would favor. For the primary time in event historical past, double digits beneath par has gained this occasion six years in a row. The golf course is seemingly firmer this 12 months — Xander Schauffele talked about balls “tomahawking” over greens earlier within the week — which signifies that in case you shoot 4 72s, you must truly be in an honest spot.
Lowest spherical: 66 (-6)
Profitable rating: 280 (-8)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 70 (-2)
Patrick McDonald, golf author
Winner — Xander Schauffele (16-1): I’ve accomplished the psychological gymnastics and concluded that shedding Tthe Gamers Championship was one of the best factor to occur to Schauffele’s Masters possibilities. His new swing was put beneath the microscope at TPC Sawgrass, and we recognized what his misses had been when beneath the gun. That have ought to pay dividends this week as he has statistically been the second-best participant on this planet this season and has loads of historical past round Augusta Nationwide with a few shut calls.
Sleeper — Chris Kirk (200-1): We’ve got seen numerous Masters winners discover success at Kapalua (simply take a look at Rahm final 12 months), and Kirk may comply with swimsuit. The Georgia Bulldog’s numbers since his win within the season opener do not leap off the web page, however they continue to be sound. He is driving the ball in addition to ever and his quick recreation is vastly underrated. He’ll want his iron play to return to peak ranges, but it surely’s not out of the realm of potentialities for the person who completed T23 in final 12 months’s Masters.
High 10 lock — Scottie Scheffler: There isn’t any have to overthink this. Scheffler is one of the best participant on this planet by a large margin and will have a sensible likelihood come Sunday to slide on his second inexperienced jacket. He acquired completely nothing out of his putter at Augusta Nationwide final 12 months and nonetheless completed in a share for tenth. That very same tee-to-green prowess ought to present up, and if a barely cooperative putter makes the journey, then Scheffler would be the one in Butler Cabin at week’s finish.
Star who positively will not win — Viktor Hovland: The complete swing is not there and the quick recreation is not there. I am no rocket scientist, however that does not sound like a terrific mixture. Hovland has but to crack the highest 10 this season and ranks 183rd in strokes gained across the inexperienced out of 183 PGA Tour gamers. His streak of 5 straight main high 20s will likely be in jeopardy.
Scottie Scheffler vs. Jon Rahm: Give me Scheffler. The world No. 1 will not should take care of internet hosting the Champions Dinner like Rahm and can roll into Thursday’s motion refreshed and able to go. These two gamers are among the many highest in strokes gained whole at Augusta Nationwide, but it surely looks as if Scheffler’s flooring is a hair greater than Rahm’s for the time being.
Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson: Tiger goes for a document twenty fourth straight made minimize on the Masters, whereas Mickelson will intention to recapture the magic of 2023 when he completed runner as much as Rahm. We’ve got solely seen Woods play 25 holes this 12 months, so it is powerful to have any sense of confidence about his kind and makes me imagine Mickelson can have the higher hand this 12 months. Each gamers will use their intensive expertise to their benefit to make their means into the weekend, however neither will significantly be an element.
Shock prediction — Rory McIlroy is within the combine on the second 9 on Sunday: Regardless of a bevy of good finishes at Augusta, McIlroy has solely had one nice alternative to finish the profession grand slam. That got here in 2018. I like that he did not arrive at Augusta Nationwide till later within the week, and his high quality took one other step in the best course on the Texas Open. There are nonetheless questions concerning the fast left miss off the tee and his method play, however I guess they get ironed out and McIlroy offers himself an actual likelihood at becoming a member of golf’s most unique membership.
Lowest spherical: 65 (-7)
Profitable rating: 277 (-11)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 70 (-2)
The First Reduce crew alongside Joe Musso offers you one last preview forward of the 88th Masters Event. Observe & take heed to The First Reduce on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Adam Silverstein, director of editorial
Winner — Jordan Spieth (25-1): Is Scheffler extra prone to win this Masters than anybody else within the subject? Sure, in fact. The percentages inform that story. However as Kyle wrote this week, there are few programs or tournaments within the nation as sticky this one — and Spieth is without doubt one of the finest enjoying right here. Spieth’s strokes gained at Augusta Nationwide (2.81) is second solely to Rahm (2.84) amongst golfers who’ve performed at the least 4 Masters during the last 10 years. That is 0.01 forward of Scheffler (2.80). He was only a couple strokes shy of profitable three straight Masters (2014-16) and has three top-four finishes within the seven he is performed since with a T4 final 12 months. He additionally has momentum coming in with a T10 end on the Texas Open, although to be honest, he did miss the minimize in consecutive occasions prior. Nonetheless, his probability of profitable is sort of as robust as both Scheffler or Rahm, and his odds are six occasions as nice as the previous.
Sleeper — Justin Rose (130-1): Talking of high quality golfers on this course, Rose is sort of an choice. He solely has two modes at Augusta Nationwide: competition or the weekend again residence. The 43-year-old has not gained on the PGA Tour in a 12 months, however he is aware of this course just like the again of his hand. with six high 10s and two runner-ups, although these got here almost a decade in the past. He has not gained a significant since 2013 but often appears to be in competition with 4 high 10s within the final 13 he is performed. Is he going to win the Masters? In all probability not. However expertise at Augusta issues, and throwing some beer cash on Rose is a play that is … higher than most.
High 10 lock — Scottie Scheffler: The good thing about not selecting Scheffler to win is that he can slide in proper right here with the utmost confidence. Scheffler has not completed exterior the highest 10 at a event since Jan. 21; he is positioned among the many high of the leaderboard in six straight occasions and enters the Masters going Win, Win, T2 in March. He bumped into the highest 10 final 12 months after profitable in 2022, and get this, has positioned inside the highest 10 throughout 9 of his final 13 majors (69%). There isn’t any means anybody within the subject has a greater share than that.
Star who positively will not win — Justin Thomas: Hopefully this can be a reverse jinx scenario for J.T., as a result of it really feels as if he ought to have gained a Masters already given his ability and mastery of this course. The issue could also be that he simply desires it a lot. Thomas missed the minimize final 12 months enjoying alongside idol Tiger Woods; fortunately, that will not be the case this 12 months, so he ought to be capable to loosen up a bit. He’s debuting a brand new bag man after splitting with Jim “Bones” Mackay.
Scottie Scheffler vs. Jon Rahm: There is a basic perception round Augusta Nationwide that Rahm is feeling the strain given his controversial transfer to LIV Golf, serving because the reigning champion, internet hosting the Champions Dinner, and so on. Perhaps true; perhaps not. What I do know is that there could also be no golfer who enters an occasion feeling much less strain nowadays than Scheffler, and given the aforementioned streak he is working, it might virtually be silly to take Rahm on this head-to-head.
Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson: Talking of basic beliefs round Augusta, there’s a lack of it in Woods. You realize, the man with 5 inexperienced jackets. The man who who has made 19 straight cuts at Augusta Nationwide (by no means lacking one) as knowledgeable. The man who gained this occasion simply 5 years in the past. OK, Tiger’s physique is falling aside; he stated this week that he “harm[s] on daily basis.” What does not harm, apparently, is his surgically repaired ankle. Nor does his thoughts, which understands the hills and valleys, the minimize of the greens and transverse this course higher than anybody on this planet. Not solely do I’ve Tiger over Phil, I’ve him over one other rival, Sergio Garcia, too.
Shock prediction — Rory McIlroy backdoors his strategy to a top-five end: The 2024 season has not been overly type to McIlroy, nor has Augusta Nationwide over time, as he is alternated between top-five finishes and missed cuts during the last 4 Masters. He has seven high 10s right here since 2014 and 7 high 10s in his final eight majors. It is unlikely that Rory wins at Augusta till he figures out a strategy to cease wanting it so badly. That sounds asinine, however we have seen that need be his undoing at numerous occasions. The place he thrives on the Masters is when he performs from behind and has nothing to lose.
Lowest spherical: 65 (-7)
Profitable rating: 278 (-12)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 69 (-3)
Who will win the 2024 Masters, and which longshots will stun {the golfing} world? Go to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard, all from the mannequin that is nailed 10 golf majors, together with final 12 months’s Masters and Open Championship.
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