The first Major of the year is fast approaching as Augusta National Golf Club prepares to welcome the finest players in the world for the 2024 edition of the Masters. Last year saw Jon Rahm secure his second major title with a commanding victory, but will his move to LIV Golf derail his chances of defending his crown?
Can Scottie Scheffler win another title at Augusta? Or will there be a surprise champion in the making Perhaps one of the biggest questions is whether Rory McIlroy can finally end the wait for win number five, which would see him complete the career grand slam.
Best Odds of Winning the Masters
Unsurprisingly, Scheffler is one of the favourites to win the event according to Masters 2024 odds, as he currently tops the table with a price of 8/1. Northern Irishman, McIlroy, is joint-favourite behind the American with regards to golf betting, as he’s also priced at 8/1 to secure his first-ever win at Augusta and if he can play to his strengths, this could certainly be his year.
The defending champion, Rahm, is the second favourite at 10/1 and all eyes will be on whether or not he can recapture the form which saw him win last year.
Rory McIlroy’s Record at Augusta in the Masters
The four-time major winner has endured a rather Jekyll and Hyde relationship with the first major championship of the year since he made his debut back in 2009.
In the 2011 edition, McIlroy had a wonderful chance to secure his first big title as he led by four shots heading into the final day, yet he suffered a Greg Norman-esque collapse on Sunday. McIlroy ended up shooting a round of 80 and finishing outside the top ten in what was a learning curve for the youngster.
43 days until golf: McIlroy’s meltdown at the 2011 Masters https://t.co/URMxA9yDWr pic.twitter.com/IeDSaETXT9
— theScore PGA (@theScorePGA) April 29, 2020
Following his win at the 2014 Open Championship, McIlroy came into the 2015 Masters with a chance to secure the grand slam. He ended up finishing tied for fourth and over the next three years, he secured top-ten finishes, but victory eluded him.
His best chance during that time came in 2018, as he was within three shots of Patrick Reed heading into the final round, yet a missed eagle chance at the par-five second half cost him dearly and he finished in a tie for fifth.
A missed cut in 2021 was followed by his best finish yet, a second-place effort which saw him hole out from a green-side bunker on the 18th and it proved that he had the game to conquer Augusta.
Masters 2022: Top five shots at Augusta from Rory McIlroy to Scottie Scheffler https://t.co/lDixyAmzIa pic.twitter.com/jX3fx3mdxC
— SPORTS CIRCUS INT. (@SPORTSCIRCUSINT) April 11, 2022
Another missed cut arrived last year, but with top-ten finishes in the following three majors, the 34-year-old is edging ever closer to that elusive fifth major championship.
If he can put together four consistent rounds, there’s no doubt that he’ll be amongst the leaders on the back nine on Sunday, but he will then have to remain calm and take his opportunities, something he has failed to do at times in Georgia.
Once he wins one green jacket, the floodgates will open.
