Waiting for word on Woods as duo aim to join elite club – Masters talking points
Hideki Matsuyama could become only the fourth player to win successive Masters titles while Rory McIIroy is aiming to complete his career grand slam.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama will defend his title when the 86th Masters takes place at Augusta National from April 7-10.
Matsuyama is bidding to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the year’s first men’s major championship.
Will Tiger Woods take part?
Can Matsuyama retain his title?
The chances of Matsuyama joining the illustrious trio of back-to-back winners looked good when he ended his 2021 campaign with a five-shot victory in his native Japan and then won the Sony Open in Hawaii on his second start of 2022. However, a lingering back injury forced him to pull out of the Players Championship shortly before the start of round one and he will arrive at Augusta with just one start – in the Valero Texas Open – under his belt since.
Eighth time lucky for McIlroy?
How will the new world number one do?
Scottie Scheffler replaced Jon Rahm at the top of the rankings following his victory in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, a remarkable third win in his last five starts in 2022. The 25-year-old also beat Rahm in their singles contest in the Ryder Cup in 2021, a year in which he finished in the top 10 in the US Open, Open Championship and US PGA. His “worst” result in a major last year was still a more than respectable tie for 18th in the Masters, while he was also tied 19th on his debut at Augusta in 2020.
Will we learn more about Phil Mickelson’s status?
