Tiger Woods will defend his title when the 84th Masters gets under way at Augusta National on Thursday.
Here, the PA news agency looks at five talking points ahead of the year’s
final major championship.
Will Bryson DeChambeau power his way to a first Masters title?
Can Tiger Woods defy the odds once more?
Tiger Woods chokes up recounting his 2019 Masters Sunday. #themasters pic.twitter.com/s9xNPh1Upi
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 10, 2020
In the words of three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo, the chants of “Tiger, Tiger” around the 18th green and the sight of Woods embracing his children after ending his 11-year wait for a 15th major title last year will remain “the greatest scene in golf forever” and he could well be right. Woods was in good form last year and his victory did not come as a total surprise, but the 44-year-old’s performances since he returned from the coronavirus shutdown have been mediocre at best and it is tough to see him overcome all his rivals this time around, especially without the fear factor and atmosphere provided by spectators.
Will Fuzzy Zoeller’s feat finally be emulated?
Is it Rory’s turn?
A fall Masters and a newborn daughter may provide just the perspective Rory McIlroy needs to win. #themasters pic.twitter.com/KYny7Jt3jj
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 11, 2020
Ever since he won the Open Championship in 2014, McIlroy has arrived at Augusta National knowing he needs a victory to become just the sixth player to complete the career grand slam. That knowledge has undoubtedly played a part in McIlroy’s failure to win a green jacket to date, despite a number of top-10 finishes and a place in the final pairing alongside eventual winner Patrick Reed in 2018. McIlroy happily acknowledged that the focus on DeChambeau has allowed him to come in somewhat under the radar and, with baby daughter Poppy to occupy his mind and his time off the course, 2020 could be his year.
Will the course play any differently than in April?
