The Young Guns
Viktor Hovland has two wins and seven top-15s in 12 starts this season. Scottie Scheffler has avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, finishing second at the WGC-DellMatch Play two weeks back. Collin Morikawa has bagged the Wanamaker and a WGC in the last seven months. Matthew Wolff is not far removed from a T-4/runner-up at the 2020 PGA and U.S. Open. Sungjae Im finished T-2 in his Masters debut. At least one of these rising stars should facilitate their share of fireworks come the weekend. Including …

Can Will Zalatoris break the rookie curse?
The plight of Masters rookies is a well-known struggle. This tournament marks 42 years since Fuzzy Zoeller was the last first-timer to claim a green jacket. A handful of rookies have come close—Jason Day in 2011, Jordan Spieth in 2014, Im last year—yet every passing spring moves Zoeller’s feat from rarity into wonder.

Will Zalatoris, however, is a wonder himself. This time last year the Wake Forest product was No. 487 in the World Ranking and playing on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has proceeded to log 15 top-10 finishes in 30 starts across the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours and has cracked the World top 50. The 24-year-old ranks fifth on tour in approach and fourth in strokes gained/tee-to-green, and proved he’s a big game hunter with a T-6 finish at Winged Foot in September and a strong debut at the Players last month.

Two areas of concern for Zalatoris as he familiarizes himself with Augusta National this week: his short game (he’s 108th in sg/putting) and the fact he’s not exactly a red-number machine (60th in birdies). Yet in a calendar year that’s made promotion from the minor leagues damn near impossible, Zalatoris has inserted him as one of the game’s fledgeling talents. If anyone can break the Masters curse, it’s this kid.

Westy’s Last Stand
Golf scholars remain confused how Westwood captured European Tour Player of the Year with a lone win and two other top-10s in 2020, but in the months that have followed the Englishman has backed that honour up with back-to-back runners-up at Bay Hill and the Players Championship, and a solid showing at the Matchplay. In an era dominated by youth and power, it’s been a delight to see room remains for the shot-making and prowess of a war horse.

As Westwood turns 48 later this month, it’s fair to question how long the revival will last. If he were to get off the short list of best players to never win a major, the Open might be his best place to change that, and yet his history at Augusta National (two silver medals, six top 10s in 19 starts) makes him more than a viable sleeper pick. Notable too: Westwood has broken par in eight of his last 11 first rounds at the Masters; don’t be surprised if he is lurking into the weekend.

A firm and fast Augusta
We’ll venture an educated guess that the club was not particularly thrilled at the field taking a flamethrower to its beloved course last fall. Not surprised, mind you … but not thrilled. Dustin Johnson’s recording-breaking score was one matter; quite another for Cam Smith becoming the first player to break 70 in all four rounds and Im shooting 15 under in his first go around.

So it was far from a bombshell to hear Spieth relay that Augusta National has its bite back.

“I expect it to be a very different Masters than what we’ve seen in the last couple,” Spieth said at the Valero Texas Open. “Rumors that I’ve heard already are that it’s already firm and fast two, three weeks out from the golf tournament. I think it will play significantly different and I’m looking forward to that challenge.”

Nothing that came out of the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Saturday suggested otherwise. Now, we don’t expect to see the sleek runways of a burnt-out Carnoustie or balls ricocheting off greens, and as crazy as the world has been the past 13 months there would have to be a serious glitch in the matrix to produce another 2007 Masters (winning score, one over). Conversely, those wanting a shootout this week should be aware they may be disappointed.

Rob Carr

Thomas trending in more ways than one
Two of the prerequisites to winning the Masters are experience and momentum, and few fit that bill like Thomas.

Thomas’ track record at the Masters may appear mixed at first glance, but he’s managed to better his standing in each of his previous five Masters starts (T-39, T-22, T-17, T-12, fourth) and is coming off one of the biggest Ws of his career at the Players. And TPC Sawgrass was no fluke: Thomas ranks third in SG/approach and fifth in SG/total on tour this season. More importantly, the 27-year-old seems to be in a better space after several on- and off-the-course obstacles (some of which were self-inflicted) earlier this year. As a player who runs on adrenaline, perhaps no player was hurt by the lack of spectators at last year’s majors than Thomas. With the patrons back at Augusta National, even in a limited capacity, don’t be shocked if Thomas produces his share of roars.

An under-the-radar Rory
Rory McIlroy isn’t right. That isn’t an epiphany as much as an observation, especially since the man himself said as much at the Players. And Augusta National is no analgesic; if you’re looking for your game in Georgia, best book a Friday night flight. In that same breath, McIlroy is not as lost as he’s been made to be.

While the results and sights have been underwhelming—at least in the context of what we’ve come to expect from the Ulsterman—McIlroy is still third in SG/off-the-tee this season, sixth in birdie average and 19th in SG/tee-to-green. He also had a T-6 at the WGC-Workday and T-10 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before a quick out at the Players, and while he was never in contention after a poor Round 1 at last year’s Masters, McIlroy did battle for a backdoor T-5 in the fall. We know his history with this tournament, and the storyline that will ring through the azaleas if he gets into contention (career Grand Slam). In spite of his physical talents perhaps no player is more swayed by his frame of mind than McIlroy. Still, only a fool would deem him an afterthought.

Baby-bump for Rahm?
There’s a gambling theory developed by a British economist (so you know it’s legit) called the “Nappy Factor,” which states athletes see a bump in performance after becoming a father. It garnered attention last fall when trying to explain why McIlroy might be ready for a big run (whoops), but there are several famous golf examples supporting this assertion like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Nick Price. Which is why all eyes will be on Jon Rahm, who just became a new daddy. Granted, he’s the World No. 3 and boasts three consecutive top-10 finishes at Augusta National, so Rahm contending wouldn’t be out of left field. But golf is a copycat sport and the idea that a Rahm breakthrough leads to a baby boom on tour is fantastic.

Rob Carr

The defending champ
Nothing is more on-brand than the subdued chatter around Dustin Johnson defending his green jacket.

To be fair, part of that is on Johnson. His last three performances were underwhelming: A 77-78 at the WGC-Concession, a T-48 at the Players, an odd loss to Kevin Na in Match Play featuring a gimme mishap. That his Masters Champions Dinner menu was bereft of sandwiches was also a disappointment. Of course, this is also the guy who boat-raced the field last November by five shots and has finished no worse than T-10 at this event in his last five appearances.

One thing to monitor with Johnson this week—and we can’t believe we’re typing this—is his driving. Historically one of the best bombers on tour, DJ enters the Masters ranked 63rd in the category. Augusta National is a second-shot course, but even with Yosemite-like confines, if you’re not putting yourself in an attackable angle, that distance doesn’t mean much. For Johnson to give himself a chance at a repeat, he needs to get right with the big stick.

Brooks is back
He could very well be the Brooks Koepka that struggled for most of last season. He could be the Brooks that won in Phoenix in February and finished second at the WGC-Workday last month. Might even be the world-destroyer seen at majors from 2017 to 2019. Given the heightened social media clapbacks in the past 24 hours, we’re guessing he likes his chances even with the fact he had right knee surgery less than three weeks ago … and that should scare the hell out of the field.

Jamie Squire

The Bryson Reckoning, Second Go
Considering the build-up to last year’s Masters following his destruction of Winged Foot, there was a not-insignificant amount of schadenfreude directed at Bryson DeChambeau’s display last fall. But whoever found joy in watching 63-year-old Bernhard Langer beat Bryson could be in a rude awakening.

DeChambeau, who admitted to being under-the-weather during the 2020 Masters, has improved his game in the months since. You also don’t have to squint too hard to see the big man wasn’t far off in November. There was the unforced double in Round 1 at the 13th and a triple at the third in Round 2 off a lost ball in the first cut, which has to be the first time in tournament history that’s occurred. Take those two mishaps out, and DeChambeau could have been in contention entering the weekend. Moreover, the soft conditions arguably hurt DeChambeau last year, minimizing his power off the tee.

Yes, how DeChambeau will manage without a greens book remains a concern, as does his wedge work (170th on tour from approaches 125 yards and in), but he showed at TPC Sawgrass that his game travels no matter the venue. The Bryson Reckoning, and what that could mean for Augusta National and the game at large, did not happen in November. You better believe the worry remains the same this week.

Jamie Squire

Spieth in his happy place
The win on Sunday was inspiring. It was also a continuation of what we’ve witnessed this year at TPC Scottsdale and Pebble Beach and Bay Hill. He’s finished 10th or better in SG/approach in five of his last six events (not counting Match Play) and put his Sunday struggles to rest in San Antonio. Those worries and self-doubts have turned into conviction. Jordan Spieth is now the favourite to don the green jacket on Sunday. What a storyline that would be.

The post From Spieth’s resurgence to an under-the-radar Rory, 11 storylines to watch at Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

RELATED: Dustin Johnson’s historic march dazzled the lucky few witnessing his dominance up close

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Sunday

JD Cuban
Golf fans aren’t used to seeing emotion from the stoic Dustin Johnson, but the new Masters champion showed how much his win meant in a post-round interview with CBS’ Amanda Balionis.

Ben Walton
Dustin Johnson’s 20-under, 268 total surpassed Tiger Woods’ and Jordan Spieth’s previous 72-hole scoring record (270) by two shots.

JD Cuban
DJ’s fiancée, Paulina Gretzky, greeted him on the 18th green.

Ben Walton
“It was a battle all day, just an internal battle with myself,” Johnson said after his round about his former mishaps in the majors. “I knew I had to play well if I wanted to win.”

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson and his brother, Austin, navigated Augusta National’s greens expertly all week.

Ben Walton
The scene at the 18th tee would normally be packed, but the lucky few at Augusta got to see DJ hit one more tee shot during his Sunday victory lap.

Ben Walton
Dylan Frittelli tied for fifth in his first appearance at the Masters.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson’s towering tee balls faded off the loblolly pines perfectly all week at Augusta, as he missed just 12 fairways.

JD Cuban
A confident Dustin Johnson walks across the Sarazen Bridge on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson laid up on the par-5 13th and 15th holes but made birdie at each of them on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Sungjae Im found the front greenside bunker with his tee shot at the par-3 12th.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson missed only 12 greens in regulation all week at Augusta National.

Ben Walton
Faced with a difficult up and down after his pulling his approach at the par-5 15th, Cameron Smith did what he did all week—scrambled brilliantly, setting up another birdie. Smith finished T-2 after carding four rounds in the 60s, the first player ever to do so at the Masters.

JD Cuban
Sungjae Im kept pace all Sunday but never closed the gap enough. The 22-year-old finished T-2 in just his seventh major appearance and his first time at Augusta National.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson scrambled whenever he needed to on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson started play on Sunday with a four-stroke lead, the fourth time in his career that he led a major entering the final round.

Ben Walton
Rory McIlroy made an early charge on Sunday, but his disappointing opening-round 75 was too hard to overcome.

Ben Walton
Augusta National members came out early to watch all the final round action.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson showed confidence throughout his round on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson looked locked in by the time he reached the second nine on Sunday.

Ben Walton
Only a handful watched as Tiger Woods hit his opening tee shot on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Abraham Ancer struggled on the greens on Sunday as he tried to become the first Masters rookie to win at Augusta since 1979.

Ben Walton
Dylan Frittelli plays from out of the fairway bunker on the fifth hole.

Ben Walton
It didn’t turn out to be the week Bryson DeChambeau was hoping for. The U.S. Open champ was the favourite coming to Augusta, but shot a two-under 286 overall after a Sunday 73.

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Saturday

Ben Walton
Abraham Ancer takes a swing on the green as he wraps up his third round with a Saturday three-under 69.

Ben Walton
Justin Thomas walks to the 15th green using the Sarazen Bridge.

Ben Walton
Patrick Cantlay hopes to get this shot close on the 16th hole.

Ben Walton
Dustin Johnson stares down his tee shot on the par-3 12th hole.

Ben Walton
Jon Rahm looks closely at the lie of his tee shot on the 12th hole.

Ben Walton
Justin Thomas plays his second shot on the par-5 13th hole. This would set up a birdie for the 2018 PGA Championship winner.

Ben Walton
Cameron Smith plays an approach shot during his third round.

Ben Walton
Abe Ancer plays his third shot on the par-5 15th hole.

JD Cuban
Dustin Johnson takes dead aim off the seventh tee.

Ben Walton
Cameron Smith plays this bunker shot on the 18th hole. He’d get up and down for par to stay within four strokes of Dustin Johnson.

JD Cuban
Sungjae Im makes his unique, slow-tempo swing on the 17th tee.

JD Cuban
Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay and Dustin Johnson, along with their caddie, walk up to the green on the par-5 15th.

JD Cuban
On the 18th hole, Dustin Johnson hits his final drive of a terrific third round.

JD Cuban
A mudball on his approach to the 18th green left Jon Rahm with this delicate chip shop.

JD Cuban
Jon Rahm lines up his par putt on the 18th hole. After starting the third round with a share of the lead, even-par 72 left him seven back of Dustin Johnson entering Sunday.

Ben Walton
Dustin Johnson tied the 54-hole scoring record (16-under), carding a second 65 of the week to open up a four-shot lead as he looks for his first Masters title.

Ben Walton
Aussie Cameron Smith, a 36-hole co-leader, continued his great play on Saturday. He finished in fifth at the 2018 Masters and will have a late tee time on Sunday.

JD Cuban
Sungjae Im shot his third consecutive under-par round at the 2020 Masters, carding a 4-under 68 to finish at 12-under par, within striking distance of Dustin Johnson’s lead.

Ben Walton
Jon Rahm, a 36-hole co-leader, was undone by a double-bogey 7 at the eighth hole alongside leader Dustin Johnson. He finished with a bogey to shoot an even-par 72 and sits seven back of the lead.

Ben Walton
The picture-perfect swing of Hideki Matsuyama with fairway wood off the tee.

Ben Walton
Abraham Ancer had never been to Augusta National until last Wednesday but tied for the 36-hole lead after his stellar play.

JD Cuban
Brooks Koepka birdied two of his first three holes on Saturday to get within two of the lead but ended up shooting a 3-under 69 to end the day at 8-under.

Ben Walton
Patrick Cantlay started the third round one back, in the second-to-last pairing with Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm.

JD Cuban
Tiger Woods was never able to get momentum going on Saturday, finishing his round even-par, sitting at 5-under after Day 3.

JD Cuban
Phil Mickelson had a Saturday to forget at Augusta National, shooting a 7-over 79.

JD Cuban
Billy Horschel carded an even-par 72 on Saturday paired with Tiger Woods and Rickie Fowler.

JD Cuban
A quiet moment early on the 18th green.

Ben Walton
Shane Lowry hits his tee shot on the 18th hole en route to second-round 69.

Ben Walton
Tiger Woods walks to his third shot on the par-5 13th hole.

Ben Walton
Jon Rahm, having just resumed his second round by making a birdie putt on the 13th hole, tees off on 14.

Ben Walton
Tiger Woods reacts to his second shot on the 17th hole after it spun back off the green.

Ben Walton
Patrick Reed rolls in a birdie putt on the 13th hole.

JD Cuban
Jon Rahm tees off on the 16th hole.

JD Cuban
Bryson DeChambeau checks his swing on No. 17 as he prepares to hit his second shot after his tee ball went into the trees on the left.

JD Cuban
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the par-3 12th hole.

JD Cuban
As Jon Rahm walks off the 18th green on Saturday morning, he found himself in a five-way tie for the 36-hole lead.

JD Cuban
Paul Casey plays a chip shot on the 18th hole. The first-round leader after an opening 65 followed it up with a 74.

The post These photos tell the story of Sunday at Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

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Wednesday:

The rain forecasted for the next few days in Augusta began to fall on Wednesday, suspending play just after 3 p.m. JD Cuban

The rain didn’t stop the world’s best from getting in some early practice on Wednesday. JD Cuban

One of our favorite images of the week—a determined Tiger Woods in preparation of his title defense. JD Cuban

A quiet, autumnal view of the 13th green on the eve of the Masters. Ben Walton

A strikingly different view than we’re used to seeing, right of 11 fairway and looking at the 12th green. Ben Walton

Matthew Fitzpatrick and caddie Billy Foster at the par-5 13th. Ben Walton

It will be fascinating to see how Bryson DeChambeau plays the 13th hole this week. JD Cuban

Bryson had his launch monitor with him throughout the course, including his approach to the 13th. JD Cuban

A rarity in recent years at Augusta National: The re-introduction of a second cut of rough, as our Joel Beall writes about here. Ben Walton

PGA champion and Masters debutant Collin Morikawa hits his tee shot at the par-3 fourth hole. Ben Walton

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson rips driver at the short par-4 third hole. Ben Walton

The challenge, like this greenside bunker at No. 2, awaits. JD Cuban

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Tuesday:

This is an image we’re not sure has been captured at the Masters before. Our photographer JD Cuban used long exposure with a couple of pops of flash to make it look as if the famous leader board at Augusta National was lit (when, in fact, it is not).JD Cuban

Players take the (much) quieter walk up the 18th fairway. Ben Walton

Even the world’s best players want to chronicle the rare patronless Masters. Ben Walton

Masters debutant Matthew Wolff and swing coach George Gankas soak in the moment. Ben Walton

Jon Rahm had quite the Tuesday—making his second hole-in-one at Augusta in as many days … this one from skipping it across the water on the 16th hole (on his birthday, no less!). Ben Walton

Andrew Putnam plays his approach to the par-5 13th. JD Cuban

The tee shot from the pines at the 13th hole. Ben Walton

Tony Finau hits a shot as caddie Mark Urbanek looks on. Ben Walton

Very few eyes are getting to observe Bryson DeChambeau’s preparation. JD Cuban

Phil Mickelson got a practice round in with three of the tournament’s biggest contenders—Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson (not pictured). JD Cuban

Who said there were no birds at Augusta National? JD Cuban

A stocked-up, but patron-less merchandise shop. JD Cuban

A wide shot of an empty course on Tuesday. JD Cuban

OK, one more of Bryson hitting driver on Tuesday, this one at the opening hole. Ben Walton

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Monday:

A caddie soaks in the fall hues. Ben Walton

Dawn on Monday morning as Masters week 2020 begins. Ben Walton

Empty tables outside Augusta National’s clubhouse. Ben Walton

A view of the 12th green through the trees. Ben Walton

Looking at the 13th green through the trees, Augusta’s fall foliage doesn’t disappoint. Ben Walton

The par-3 16th hole. Ben Walton

Players practiced on Monday, trying to get an idea of how the course might play differently compared to in the spring. Ben Walton

Gary Woodland walks along the Sarazen Bridge as he approached the 15th green. Ben Walton

Amid the practice rounds, course maintenance staff work on continuing to get Augusta National into game shape. Ben Walton

An empty concession stand hints at what we’re missing this week without patrons in attendance. Ben Walton

The emptiness all around Augusta National will take some getting used to. Ben Walton

Tiger Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava, gets an early look at the 13th green on Monday. Ben Walton

With no grandstand beside the 11th green and 12th tee, the area’s openness is striking. Ben Walton

An official waits patiently for players to come through on the 12th tee. Ben Walton

The post Golf Digest’s exclusive photos from Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

With the move from its traditional April date to late fall, it’s already apparent Augusta National will have a slightly different aesthetic. There will no blooming azaleas or dogwoods, but there will be a golden hue to the foliage. Even more apparent is that this year’s tournament will be absent thousands of fans who line the fairways and greens of every hole. A loss in atmosphere, perhaps, but given the dazzling backdrop, not a terrible trade-off for viewers at home.

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

Ben Walton

The post Our first look at an eerily quiet but still stunning Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.