Droughts are not uncommon in golf. The unpredictability of the sport, particularly when played at the highest level, means that even the best players can go years without managing to win a tournament. Rory McIlroy has been guilty of this, and while it looks like he’s getting closer he always leaves himself with a bit too much to do towards the end. It’s something Jordan Spieth experienced for more than four years, and is still experiencing in terms of majors.
Indeed, the wait between 2018 and 2021’s Valero Texas Open victory must have felt excruciating; however, it was swiftly followed by last year’s win in the RBC Heritage. However, those assessing the Golf US Masters odds will know all aims for Spieth will be to pick up another green jacket. Champion in 2015, he beat Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson aged just 21 years old. And after heading into this year’s first major in good form, many will be hoping the American can win his second Masters at the famous Augusta course.
This is a Masters jampacked with talent though, and victory won’t be easy. If Spieth is to secure victory, he’ll have to get the best of a number of top golfers. With that in mind, let’s assess some of the competition and see who the other favourites are for the 2023 US Masters. Read on to find out more.
Jon Rahm
Let’s start with one of Europe’s finest golfers, Jon Rahm. The Spaniard, a former US Open winner a few years ago, is current world number three, with recent success in the Mexico Open and Sentry Tournament of Champions, earning a cool three million payday. With four finishes of T9 or better and three titles this year already, Rahm is no stranger to the big occasion, although for such a short price he is yet to land a green jacket before.
Cameron Smith
Aussie golfer Cameron Smith sent shockwaves through the sport when he decided to join the controversial LIV Golf tour. This will be the first time that players from the Saudi franchise play in the Masters, and Smith is perhaps their best hope of getting the job done. Despite what many golf fans believe, there is no animosity between the PGA and LIV players, something Smith was quick to quash ahead of the Masters.
“All the guys I was mates with are still my mates,” he said. “No one has told me to p*** off or not talk to them ever again.
“I’d like to think that I’m a pretty easy person to talk to and if anyone ever wanted to confront me, I’m all about talking about it and making sure they’re comfortable with it as well.
It’s not my spot to step on anyone’s toes and that’s the last thing I wanted to do. It’s just a move I felt was right for my career.”
Scottie Scheffler
It would be foolish to rule out current holder of the Masters title and world number one Scottie Scheffler. The American announced himself on the world stage with his maiden victory in a major last year and will be hoping for a second green jacket at just 26 years old. After recently winning the Players Championship in Florida to return to top spot he heads to Augusta in fine form and is the odds-on favourite at the time of writing. It will be interesting to see if he can join an exclusive group of golfers that have won successive Masters, with just three men — Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) — winning back-to-back.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
