Masters preview: Jon Rahm is the bookies’ favourite but Scottie Scheffler is the man in form – who are the Augusta contenders?

The pinnacle of all golf tournaments tees off on Thursday as the 86th Masters starts at the iconic Augusta National. 

Golf’s cream of the crop will fiercely compete against each other as they fight it out to win the infamous green jacket come Sunday. 

Masters contenders

Jon Rahm is the tournament favourite according to the bookies, but he is now second in the world rankings thanks to Scottie Scheffler.

The new No1 is top of the world rankings thanks to his Match Play Championship final win against Kevin Kisner. 

Cameron Smith is also in contention for the green jacket as he has won two out of his seven PGA Tour tournaments this season.

The Australian also has the lowest average score on the PGA Tour this season with 69.274, with Justin Thomas hot on his heels with 69.617. 

Last year’s champion Hideki Matsuyama will be in a group with James Piot and Justin Thomas. 

Jordan Spieth has had five top-three finishes as well as a green jacket so he can not be underestimated going into the tournament as he always bring the heat to Augusta.

Tiger’s roaring again

There has been much speculation about whether Tiger Woods is going to play this week, and there was an explosive atmosphere when fans saw him during his practice round on Monday. 

However, the five-time Masters champion has confirmed that he will play as he stated: ‘As of now I am going to play in the Masters’. 

The 15-time major champion has had limited golf action since his horrific car accident back in February 2021 in which he had open factures in his right leg.  

Bryson Dechambeau is also a doubt as he is still recovering from a hip and wrist injury – with his doctor claiming he is taking a ‘huge risk’ to participate.

By Jack Bunclark