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Master 2022 storylines to follow


The Masters of 2022 are above us. And, of course, there’s a lot of intrigue when it comes to who gets in or out field. Not to mention, see who and why. Plus, any courses vary at Augusta National.

As we get ready for the first ball to hit the tee, here are 18 storylines to follow for this year’s Masters.

1 out of 18

As much as possible

As much as possible

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

The coronavirus pandemic is still with us, but the Masters continue with a look at the pre-COVID era. Limited audience numbers return in 2021, and it looks like more people will come to watch live this year. Just how many more? We will, Augusta National usually doesn’t provide attendance figures, but grandstand seating seems to be on the bill for 2022which means more fans will be allowed in and there aren’t any limits when it comes to COVID mitigation efforts.

2 out of 18

Three cheers – again

Three cheers - again

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

Along with those much-anticipated larger galleries, tradition is back in Augusta for the 2022 Masters. As for the delayed COVID-19 event in 2020 and last year’s tournament, the Dear Par-3 Competition was not held. Good, it will be back in 2022, and on the usual Wednesday before the first round. Great shots, special family moments and the cheers of a cheery, yet respectful crowd all make this one of the ultimate experiences in professional golf. Welcome back!

3 out of 18

Small adjustment

Small adjustment

Michael Madrid / USA Sports TODAY

Fans and the Par-3 Competition will once again be part of Masters week. But, what’s new when it comes to the real Augusta National track? Glad you – or we – asked. On the 11th hole, the tee is moved back 15 yards and 20 yards further on hole 15. Meanwhile, the 18th charge is pushed back 13 yards. Speaking of number 11, some trees on the fairway have been removed. And back to 18, where a left fairway bunker would appear more often than not on replay.

4 out of 18

Hunting tigers

Hunting tigers

Michael Madrid / USA Sports TODAY

5 out of 18

Lefty left on his own

Lefty left on his own

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

A modern golf legend that we know won’t be at Augusta in 2022, is Phil Mickelson. Although the 51-year-old, three-time Masters champion is likely not a strong candidate for the green jacket, his absence from the event for the first time since 1994 will be one of golf’s biggest stories of the year. Of course, Mickelson seems to have made the decision himself. Earlier in 2022, he made some controversial remarks about a professional golf tournament backed by Saudi Arabia that could rival the PGA Tour. Mickelson also managed to criticize the Tour president Jay Monahan in process.

6 out of 18

Find a way to repeat

Find a way to repeat

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

7 out of 18

International taste

International taste

Stephen Bartholomew / Action Plus / Icon Sportswire

If Matsuyama finds a way to claim consecutive Masters victories, he will become the first international golfer to repeat the victory at Augusta since the British. Nick Faldo won tournaments in 1989 and ’90. While it’s been a while since a non-American repeated itself as the Masters champion, it wasn’t long ago that international talent won at Augusta for consecutive years. After England’s Danny Willett won there in 2016, the famous Spaniard Sergio Garcia finally got the big monkey after winning the 2017 event.

8 out of 18

How low can they go?

How low can they go?

Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Whether an international or American golfer claims the green jacket this year, it will be interesting to see if the champion has once again, indeed, claimed Augusta National’s top spot. Matsuyama’s 108 under par 278 marked the fourth consecutive tournament where the Masters winner finished in under double digits, below par. The last time that happened was in five consecutive Masters tournaments from 1974-1978. Only once since 1957 has the Masters champion had a dominant result, that is Zach Johnson (1 more) in 2007.

9 of 18

Odds in Rahm .’s favor

Odds in Rahm .'s favor

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

Speaking of talented Spanish golfers, Jon Rahm No. 1 golfer in the world (more on that in a bit). But, he is still a fan of betting when betting on Masters 2022. Theo DraftKings. Remember that odds are current at time of publication and are subject to change.

10 of 18

Sensational Scottie

Sensational Scottie

Erich Schlegel / USA Sports TODAY

So if Jon Rahm is no longer at the top of the World Golf Rankings (for the week of March 28), who is it? That would be Scottie Scheffler. notable in the youth season, having his first 11 games. 12 cuts with three career first wins, a second win and six finishes in the top 10 overall. Although he finished 19th and 18th in each of the last two Masters, respectively, Scheffler was definitely someone to watch at Augusta.

11 of 18

Is this Rory’s year?

Is this Rory's year?

Michael Madrid / USA Sports TODAY

A win at the Masters is the only thing that stands in the way Rory McIlroy record a major career crisis. McIlroy won the 2011 US Open and the 2014 Open Championship, the same year he won his second PGA championship. Now, Rory’s best at Augusta is his fourth in 2015, and last season he missed his chance at the Masters for just the second time in 13 starts there. Before 2021, McIlroy had made the top 10 six of the previous seven seasons.

12 out of 18

Blooming roses

Blooming roses

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

When it comes to competing on the Augusta National track, England Justin Rose be your man. 2013 US Open champion Rose finished second at the 2015 Masters and came second two years later. At the 2021 tournament, Rose leads with four shots after the first round and one shot after 36 holes. Then Hideki Matsuyama moved and on Sunday 74th brought Rose down to seventh. If there’s one thing that can take the bank, it’s the controversial Rose at some point this Masters week.

13 out of 18

The first time is the hardest

The first time is the hardest

Michael Madrid / USA Sports TODAY

We know the aforementioned Hideki Matsuyama finally claimed that elusive first major championship at last season’s Masters. So will we see another name become a big winner for the first time at Augusta in 2021? Certainly possible. Reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year Patrick Cantlay was the first name that popped into his mind, but he missed his chance at Augusta last year and his best finish was T9 from 2019. Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau may also be willing to drop the nickname “The Best Golfer Who Never Won a Major”.

Will Zalatoris this year

David Yeazell / USA Sports TODAY

One of the bigger stories at last year’s Masters was about the little-known Will Zalatoris. The then 24-year-old played with Augusta for the first time in the Masters tournament, and certainly made the most of the opportunity. He finished second after 36 and 72 holes, then hit a stroke by Matsuyama on Sunday, but took an impressive second. So, who could be this year’s Zalatoris? What about Sam Burns? A three-time PGA Tour winner since early May 2021, the 25-year-old Burns is hardly a faceless commodity, but he has never played the Masters. Also, bettors can get Burns at +4000.

15 out of 18

Amateurs only names

Amateurs only names

Kyle Terada / USA Sports TODAY

In 2021, for the first time in six years, no amateur golfer will make it past the Masters. Then again, only three people entered the tournament. Will that change in 2022? There’s a good chance of that, mainly because Japan’s Keita Nakajima is expected to be in the Masters field this year. The world’s top ranked amateurNakajima qualified for the Masters after winning the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in November. Also in this area was Stewart Hagestad, the low-ranking amateur of the 2017 Masters, when he finished 36th.

16 out of 18

Bryson give his body

Bryson give his body

Erich Schlegel / USA Sports TODAY

After a seven-week absence due to a broken arm and hip problem, DeChambeau, the low-ranking amateur of the 2016 Masters, returned to action 0-2-1 at the WGC Match Play event. recently. Methodical DeChambeau, who won the US Open 2020, hopes to be close to 100% physically when he competes at Augusta. He seems satisfied with his recovery, but even in full health, DeChambeau struggled at the Masters as a pro. In four professional appearances there, his best was 29th.

17 out of 18

Spieth is hard to beat

Spieth is hard to beat

Rob Schumacher / USA Sports TODAY

While many eyes will be on Bryson DeChambeau and his health, Jordan Spieth is one of the late 20 stars worth watching at Augusta this season. Spieth won the Masters in 2015, the same year he also won the US Open. But, he spent a couple of years struggling with his game and confidence before winning his first tournament in four years and placing sixth on the PGA Tour’s Earnings List in 2021. We’ll see if Spieth can build on last year’s T3 at Augusta to keep momentum strong.

18 out of 18

Remember Mize’s magic chip

Remember Mize's magic chip

David Cannon / Allsport / Getty Images

History has always been an important part of the legend of the Master. And this year marks the 35th anniversary Larry MizeAugusta’s dramatic victory. Fight with Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman in the knockout at the 1987 event, Mize scored his only major win when he Squeeze right in from the 11th green box or about 110 meters are waitingy – on the second playoff hole – for a bird player. It’s one of the greatest Masters memories of all time – and the most golf swings in the sport’s history. Mize is once again entering the field in 2022 and has even cut back in 2016 and ’17.

Jeff Mezydlo has written about sports and entertainment online and in print for over 25 years. He grew up in the far south suburbs of Chicago, 20 minutes from the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Ind. He is also the proud father of 11-year-old Matthew, aka “Bobby Bruin”, the mascot of St. Robert Bellarmine in Chicago. You can follow Jeff at @ jeffm401.





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