From left to proper: Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler on the 2024 Masters.
Getty Photos
The 88th Masters begins on Thursday at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. We already made all of our picks to win and sleepers to observe here. However so much can change in these essential lead-up days to the primary spherical. Who appears good on-site? What are we listening to? Who’s peaking? Listed here are a handful of gamers we predict are trending in the appropriate route.
Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): I’m kinda feelin’ Rickie Fowler! He’s positively flying a bit beneath the radar. It’s arduous to consider it’s been three years since we final noticed him tee it up at Augusta Nationwide. However he has an incredible document right here: just one missed minimize in 10 appearances, and a powerful 5 top-12 finishes, together with a runner-up in 2018. His play has cooled a bit since he emerged from a lengthy slump in dramatic trend final yr, however I can’t assist however really feel that this week might ignite one other good run — and possibly even his first main.
Seeing double: Tony Finau’s surprising gear addition for the Masters
Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): The nice variety of golf-savvy individuals who have instructed me to take Wyndham Clark makes me suppose that I ought to completely, positively NOT take Wyndham Clark, given my expertise with so-called knowledgeable punditry. All that mentioned, Clark will in all probability win. He definitely has the psychological and bodily make-up for it, and he has been in good type.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): I picked Scottie Scheffler to win this week and Brooks Koepka was my No. 2 alternative, however that press convention we received from Brooks on Tuesday — he appeared assured, poised and even barely irritated — was the kind of Brooks that piled up a ton of majors years in the past. It reiterated to me that I like him so much this week.
Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): Thursday is looking stormy. So softer. Augusta might be gotten, so I need a ball-striker. I all the time additionally need somebody who has expertise. Let’s add Hideki Matsuyama to the choose combine. His Riviera closing spherical will go down as among the finest — possibly this decade. He can fireplace. I hesitate as a result of there’s phrase he’s hurting some, however he’s right here so let’s go together with it. This all mentioned, I nonetheless don’t thoughts Bryson DeChambeau. I nonetheless suppose Xander Schauffele will contend. I nonetheless suppose Brian Harman will win a inexperienced jacket throughout the subsequent 5 years. However Matsuyama might win his second Masters this yr.
