Who will win The Masters 2023? A look at the top contenders

This year will mark the 87th edition of the heralded Masters Tournament, played at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Known for its pristine grass and immaculate azaleas, Augusta is perhaps the most famous golf club in the world. With the 2023 tournament just days away, let’s take a look at who could be in the running to win the famous green jacket.

Last year's winner, Scottie Scheffler goes into the 2023 Masters as the bookies favourite. With two tour wins under his belt already in 2023, including the so-called ‘5th Major’, the Players Championship at the iconic TPC Sawgrass, Scheffler has found his groove and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Expect to see Schefller competing deep into Sunday evening.

Known by most golf fans simply as ‘Rory’, the Northern Irishman has a great opportunity to exorcise the demons of his 2011 collapse at the Augusta National course. With ups and downs in his recent form, there is no guarantee that McIlroy is challenging for the green jacket, but if he can settle into his game, there are few on the planet who can match him.

Smith has been playing his recent golf on the controversial LIV Tour but permitted by the tournament organizers to compete in Augusta, and the Aussie has a real chance to win his first green jacket. Probably amongst the in-form golfers in the world over the previous couple of years, Smith has the game and acumen to master the tricky course and come out victorious.

Another LIV Golf player, Koepka is back to winning ways with a victory his most recent event, staving off a competitive field to take home the LIV Golf Invitational Orlando title. A four-time major winner, he has so far been unable to triumph in Augusta, but given his form don’t be surprised if Brooks leaves victorious.

The giant Spaniard has been in untouchable form recently, with 1 top 10 finish followed by another, including back-to-back wins in January. The 2021 US Open winner has had some previous success at The Masters, with a 4th place finish under his belt in 2018. Considered by the oddsmakers as the 3rd most likely winner, Rahm has a real chance to go even better, perhaps we’ll even see paella on the 2024 Champion’s Dinner menu.

Perhaps considered more of an outsider than many on this list, Hatton is coming off his best performance for a while, finishing two shots behind Scottie Scheffler at the Players Championship in Florida. Golf can be so form-based at times, with players needing to peak at the right time, Hatton could well be at the top of his game going into this week’s competition.

Already in possession of one green jacket, Spieth has a very good chance to get his hands on another this year. After down years in 2019 and 2020, Spieth has been steadily rebuilding his confidence over the past couple of years. Solid recent finishes at the Valspar Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational should fill Spieth with confidence going into this week in Augusta.

With solid, if not spectacular form behind him, Day rarely fails to compete at major championships, always finishing there or thereabouts. Despite this he only has one major to his name, the 2015 PGA Championship, 2023 could well be the year he adds a Masters win to this list, becoming the second Australian to do so.

Zalatoris stormed onto the scene in 2021, finishing 2nd in Augusta, the talented American continued this great form into 2022 with 2nd place finishes at The US Open and PGA Championship. Desperate to not be a nearly man, Zalatoris has the game and composure to be a serial major winner, he has a real chance to win his first this week.

With eight PGA Tour wins under his belt, Cantlay is a consistent winner, yet he’s never managed to finish in the top spot at a major. A couple of recent top-10 finishes suggest the form is there for Cantlay, if he gets off to a fast start there’s no reason to suggest he can’t win the tournament.

Another of the LIV Tour golfers banished from most PGA Tour events, Johnson has been allowed to play by the tournament organizers. As talented a golfer as anyone, Johnson has previously won in Augusta, dominating the field to take home the green jacket by 4 strokes. Known for his huge drives, DJ can make a mockery of golf courses at times, so if he gets going there could be no stopping him.

Bookies have Homa just outside the top group of favorites this week, but he’s certainly capable of making his mark on a tournament he has previously struggled at. With his best previous finish being tied-48th, Homa has no real history in Augusta. His form has been excellent, with a win and two top 10 finishes in recent months, this could well be the year Homa makes his mark at The Masters.

It is arguable Hovland’s best performance at The Masters was as an amateur, finishing 3 under par. Since then he hasn’t been able to stamp his authority on the tournament. Despite his considerable talent and wins elsewhere on tour, Hovland’s major performances haven’t always been a huge success. Currently the back to back winner of the Hero World Challenge, Hovland has a real chance to turn his major record around, I suspect once he gets 1 it won’t be his last.

Thomas’s form on the PGA Tour is not something to shout about, especially by his own high standards, however, he knows how to win when the pressure starts to rise. Overcoming a 7 shot deficit at last year’s PGA Championship, Thomas won the second major of his career. Like all golfers, he is desperate to slip on the green jacket and finally take home a Masters victory.

This is more a sentimental pick than anything based in reality, Woods’ days of being an elite golfer, unfortunately, look behind him. Never quite able to recover from the devastating injuries of his 2021 car crash, Woods is unable to play consistently these days, so we are unclear on his form. But just imagine him walking down the 18th fairway followed by 10s of 1000s of adoring fans on his way to a sixth Masters title.