The Forest Scout’s yearly Masters preview is becoming a tradition unlike any other. This year, with all the exciting news surrounding golf, we are surely in for a treat. 

So much has changed since 2021’s edition of the Masters, including a shakeup in the world golf rankings, a comeback for Tiger Woods, and an ongoing feud between two of the world’s top players. 

Just last week, we saw golf’s newest hero, Scottie Scheffler, rise to number one in the world. He edges out Spaniard Jon Rahm, who had held it since last July. Scheffler comes into this week scorching hot, winning three events so far in 2022. Scheffler has been good for a while now, but really broke out at last year’s Ryder cup where he put on a show for the US. 

The man that he dethroned, Jon Rahm, has certainly not taken a step back. Last year he recorded fifteen top-10s in just 22 starts, including an epic win at the US open. Unfortunately, due to his Covid status, he was forced to withdraw from the Memorial tournament while holding a six shot lead going into Sunday. This was almost a sure win which would have only boosted him further ahead as the world number one. 

Other big names on that top 25 list include 2 time major winner Colin Morikawa, previous PGA tour player of the year Patrick Cantlay, and red hot Aussie Cameron Smith.

Morikawa hasn’t had much success at Augusta, but has proven that he can get it done on the big stage, having 2 majors under his belt. 

Cantlay is another popular pick this week. He has won everything but a major and lots of people believe this week is the week. 

One of my favorite players this week is Cameron Smith. Earlier this year he put on a clinic at TPC Sawgrass en route to winning the Players Championship. I believe he is the best putter in the world, which always plays a big role at Augusta National’s slick greens. 

Although the Masters always seems to have a big name winner, it is possible that a non-household name wins. We have seen this multiple times in the past eleven years, with Danny Willett in 2016 and Charl Schwartzl in 2011. My sleeper pick this week is Sam Burns, who has put together a sneaky past few years on tour and is ready for a breakout win. 

My mega sleeper is Max Homa, at 80-1 odds. He is a great ball striker and one of my favorite players on tour. Look for him to make the cut and have a solid week. 

The latest story that seems to be blowing up the golf world is once again circled around Tiger Woods. Woods is one year removed from a brutal car accident where he broke his leg and fractured an ankle. He has not played in an event since. Last December, however, he played in the PNC father-son challenge where he looked pretty solid, but nowhere near full strength. Woods was seen playing a practice round at Augusta just last week and was “a game time decision,” according to him. 

Fred Couples, former Masters champion, stated that Tiger “looked phenomenal” in a practice round Monday. I would be shocked if he were to perform well, but it would certainly be one of the most amazing stories in sports history if he won. Odds have him at 50-1 to put on his 6th green jacket this sunday. 

Lastly, look for Brooks Koepka to make a move this week. No one has been better in major tournaments in the last five years. Over this time, he has gathered four wins and twelve top 10’s. In the last five years, Koepka is 92 strokes under par, which is 60 strokes higher than any other player. This has truly been a dominant stretch. 

When asked how he performs so well in majors, he said “I just practice before the Majors, I don’t practice before regular tournaments.” I love this energy out of Koepka as it reminds me of one of my favorite NBA players, Allen Iverson. I believe his arrogance and swagger could lead him to putting on the green jacket this weekend at Augusta. 

Guys I like: Smith, Rahm, Koepka, Thomas

Guys I am not high on: Scheffler, Hovland, Mcilroy, Dustin Johnson, Dechambeau