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Golf

5 Players to watch at the 2023 Masters

One of the four majors of the golf season, the Masters is the only one to be played at the same venue each year. While The Open will always be the most important to purists, the Masters is one for those who like the comfort of seeing the same old friends.

The famous ceremony sees the winner of the tournament presented with a green jacket by the most recent champion. With the tournament played at Augusta every year, it makes for course specialists who come alive around this track. We have five at big prices to consider for the 2023 Masters. All prices correct at time of writing.

1 – Will Zalatoris 40/1

Zalatoris has played in this tournament just twice in his career. Runner-up at the first attempt in 2021, he was tied for 6th in 2022. He has also finished second at the US Open and the PGA Championship so he is a player who comes alive on the big occasions.

His recent form has seen him 11th in the Centry Tournament of Champions in January and 4th at the Genesis in February. He has lost his way a touch in recent events, his short game letting him down in a big way. That has seen his price drift but his course form warrants serious respect.

2 – Viktor Hovland 35/1

The twenty-five-year-old Norwegian has made a huge splash in very limited time on the tour. Four top tens from ten events on the tour this season show a young man in great form. He has been in the mix on three visits here. Tied for 32nd when top amateur in 2019, he was tied 21st in 2021 and tied 27th in 2022.

While those don’t necessarily indicate an immediate winner, the fact that he has been able to play round such a tough course at a young age is hugely impressive. There should still be more to come from him as he matures so a big showing would be no surprise.

3 – Corey Conners 45/1

The Canadian has had a bit of an up and down season so far but hit form in no uncertain terms when winning the Texas Open last time out. His form was little different when arriving in Augusta in 2022. Scuffling for consistency last year as well he finished tied 6th.

That followed on from tied for 10th in 2020 and tied for 8th in 2021. Three consecutive top 10 finishes here is classy form. From 10th to 8th to 6th, could he take a step forward again this year? Even if not, he’s too big back at a course he clearly enjoys.

4 – Patrick Reed 66/1

Champion in 2018, Reed is a not the most popular player with the fans. That has not stopped him having plenty of success here, making the cut seven of the last eight years. That is no mean feat around a notoriously difficult course, a place he plays solid golf.

Tied for 10th in 2020 and tied for 8th in 2021, he has recent form here that stands up to the closest of scrutiny. Runner-up in the Dubai Desert Classic in January, there is form in the book in 2023 that suggests he can put up his usual solid display at a price.

5 – Cameron Champ 250/1

While Champ is a wide outsider, there is enough course form to believe that price is insulting. He has played Augusta three times in his career, making all three cuts, finishing tied 19th in 2020, tied 26th in 2021 and tied 10th in 2022.

His form in the 2022/23 season so far has been torrid which is the reason for the price. Just two cuts out of a possible 11 have been made but he only just missed out recently. Perhaps he can to find his stroke again at the perfect time at a course he’s played well in the past.