Is Bryson the Masters a favorite? Will Tiger play?
Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Bryson DeChambeau’s chances for a green jacket, Tiger Woods’ health and more.
Bryson DeChambeau defeated Jon Rahm in a play-off to win LIV Golf South Africa and his second consecutive LIV victory in the final league match before the first major of the year. With the way DeChambeau has played the past two weeks, has he taken away the title as the favorite for the Masters? Or does that still belong to Scottie or Rory?
Zephyr Melton, game development editor (@zephyrmelton): Considering Scottie’s early season slump and Rory’s uncertain health, I think it’s fair to say that Bryson is the early favorite at Augusta. However, if he doesn’t get his irons right (which has plagued him in recent years at the Masters), I fear that his chances of taking the green jacket are slim.
Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): It should be Scottie still; his death is greatly exaggerated. But the fact that DeChambeau is in the middle of this conversation now is important — and exciting. Add in a few more rising stars in top-tier golf (Xander, Rahm, Fitz) and there should be plenty to talk about before Augusta.
Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Vegas won’t call anyone but Scottie the favorite, and as Dylan says, Scheffler’s “down” has included three top-25 finishes followed by two top-fives and a win. Scheffler is also playing next week in Texas before heading to Augusta, so he still has one chance to fine tune some things. Bryson playing like this adds a lot of juice to any great. Few players power the scene like him. I hope he plays well in Augusta.
Two of LIV’s biggest stars – DeChambeau and Rahm – went head-to-head in the final round in South Africa. It’s not uncommon, in any tour, that the big names are the ones left standing. Is this a meaningful player competition? And is that important to LIV or not?
Melton: It’s VERY important to LIV, and with small fields and a set schedule, they have a set up to make sure the storyline plays out regularly. Unfortunately for this league, recent turnovers have thinned the field of stars, so the chances of the stars fighting on the ground are less than a few years ago.
Dethier: Funny, I went into Bay Hill/Players twice wondering if we were in for a Scottie-Rory match. That was too big not case, and it probably never happened. So LIV should be happy that its two top dogs are squaring off. And, the top two dogs should be happy as they continue to build contract strength…
Behow: Important in LIV and important in any league. I don’t think golf fans appreciate enough when these things happen big or not so big. Think how many times we’ve seen Tiger and Phil play together in the last two on Sundays (once!) or any of the marquee players. Bryson and Rory’s Masters final pairing last year was one of the best final pairings we’ve had in years. The more we see it the more it continues to build these rivalries and stories.
One week after he lost the Players Championship on the 72nd hole at TPC Sawgrass, Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back to win the Valspar on Sunday. Although he has won 10 times on the DP World Tour, this was his third PGA Tour title. Did Fitzpatrick’s last two weeks prove he’s ready to turn on the heater this summer? Or just a few good weeks?
Melton: As the cliche goes, you want the heat at the right time – and Fitz seems to be turning up the heat when you want it. It will be difficult to maintain this form throughout the summer, but in terms of increasing his chances at the Masters, he has put himself in a good position.
Dethier: The most encouraging thing about Fitzpatrick’s surgery is his stellar approach game – which goes anywhere. I would expect him to be a factor in many majors.
Behow: Now you need a big success. Sure, he won the US Open in Brookline in 2022 but still has six top 10s in 42 starts. But he was T4 and T8, respectively, in the Open and PGA last year, so maybe it’s coming. He will be a popular pick come Masters week.
Last month at the Genesis Invitational, Tiger Woods gave a promising Masters update. But on Tuesday during TGL Woods said he’s “working on it,” adding, “the body doesn’t heal like it did when I was 24. It doesn’t go back. So I have good days when I can do anything, and other days where it’s hard to walk.” Has this changed your opinion of Woods playing the Masters?
Melton: Not at all. I am waiting for his WD to be legalized so we can put this stupidity to rest.
Dethier: Meh, I’d still bet you’re kidding. But it is clear that getting to that point is not easy at all. As long as we approach his debut with a reasonable lack of expectation (which is likely, given Tiger at Augusta) we should be fine. Everything is a bonus.
Behow: I wish I was as optimistic as Dylan. I’m putting his playing percentage down to around 40 percent, although he probably won’t know for sure until next week how things are changing so quickly with his body.
Augusta National released its Taste of the Masters hosting kits last week, where you can bring parts of the Masters – pimento, cookies or azalea cocktails, etc. – right in your living room. But what if you only get one thing to choose from? What do you send to your home?
Melton: I really like chicken salad sandwiches. But Georgia’s peach ice cream sandwiches can be a solid choice as well.
Dethier: I’ve seen some backlash against the Masters diet in recent years – I suspect not that good. I don’t know. I don’t care. It’s like eating pasta while walking in Rome. Part of the taste is the place. I penciled in 50 chicken salad / pulled pork hams and 50 extra chocolate chip cookies. I will be shooting for abstinence from April 13th.
Behow: Chocolate chip cookies are a problem. I love egg salad with pimento and ice cream, but I can live without it. Cookies? They mean a lot to me.
