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The Masters Tournament 2024: Can Jon Rahm defend his title?

What are the odds of Jon Rahm defending his title in The Masters Tournament 2024? (Image: Getty)
What are the odds of Jon Rahm defending his title in The Masters Tournament 2024? (Image: Getty)

As the The Masters Tournament 2024 is coming closer, the discussions about possible title contenders are getting louder. Of course a relevant influencing factor to suggest who’s could be coming out on top is the current form. When looking at the PGA Tour, names like Scottie Scheffler, Windham Clark, or Rory McIlroy come to mind. However, at the Masters, one should not forget about players who currently play on the LIV Tour. Among them – the defending champion Jon Rahm.

The Masters Tournament 2024: 3 reasons why Jon Rahm will defend his title

With his latest move to the LIV Golf League Jon Rahm may have been off the radar for some golf fans. The Masters Tournament 2024 will be his first major after leaving the PGA Tour. Here are three reasons why Jon Rahm is keen to defend his title at this weeks major tournament.

1. Stats don’t lie

To silence critics right away, let’s start with some of his statistics, which are famously indisputable. Within his last 20 major appearances, he finished within the top 10 ten times, meaning half of his majors played since 2019. Overall, he has won two of these majors and narrowly missed victory in several others. The statistics also suggest a rising form curve throughout his career in these events since first turning pro in 2016.

2. Jon Rahm is in good form

Which leads us to the next argument as to why Jon Rahm will win the Masters again: His current form speaks for itself. Since joining LIV Golf, the Spaniard is yet to finish outside of the top 10. Starting off early in February, the reigning Masters champion finished tied for 3rd at the Mayakoba event. He followed up finishing 8th and 5th, then tied for 8th place in Hong Kong, with a tied 4th place at last weeks event in Miami. It can’t be denied that these are impressive and very consistent results, although there is one flaw. He did not yet win a tournament this year.

3. He is the reigning champion

Maybe reminiscing on his last victory may bring back his winner qualities. It surely is one he will fondly remember and dates back exactly one year today. With a very convincing 4-shot-lead, he brought his last Masters to the finish line, securing his second major victory of his career after winning the US Open in 2021. Even though it is difficult to predict the outcome with the tough conditions at the Augusta National Golf Club, it surely helps when players can start the tournament with some good confidence.

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Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Will Rory McIlroy play at the Par-3-Contest?

Will Rory McIlroy compete at the Par-3-Contest of the US Masters 2024?
Will Rory McIlroy compete at the Par-3-Contest of the US Masters 2024?

The Par-3-contest of the Masters Tournament is traditionally held on the wednesday before the tournament begins. The players spend a day with their families on the golf course and the main focus of this small tournament is on having fun. However, more and more players are considering whether they want to take part in the event at all. As no player who has ever won the Par-3-Contest has went on to win the green jacket the same year, rumor has it that a curse lies on the winner of the competition.

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll File for Divorce Amid Major Preparations

Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament Par-3-Contest

Rory McIlroy’s “game plan” for the Masters seems to be finalised. The Northern Irishman plans to arrive later than ever before on Tuesday evening, as revealed in a practice round with TGL team mate Keegan Bradley.

Even though McIlroy has never won the Par-3-Tournament and therefore no curse can’t be blamed for not winning the masters, the world number two is thinking about eliminating any risk that could stand in the way of a win at Augusta National.

He goes on explaining, he is going to skip the iconic Par 3 Contest on Wednesday in order to “shake things up” in his preparation for the first Major of the season.

Follow Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament live

What is the Par-3-Contest

The Par 3 Contest is one of the most cherished traditions at the Masters. Taking place on the Wednesday of Tournament week, this year on April 10th, players, family members, and fans alike gather to witness this special event. Originally intended as a means of stress relief before the main tournament, the Par 3 Contest has evolved into a staple of the Masters since its debut in 1960. Participants, including current players and former champions, compete on a nine-hole course skillfully integrated into the northeast corner of the Augusta National Golf Club. Under the watchful eyes of spectators and often with family members acting as caddies, short shots are played over DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike’s Pond. Yet, the true allure of the Par 3 Contest lies not only in the competitive spirit but also in the familial atmosphere it fosters. Children and grandchildren, clad in miniature Augusta National overalls, provide heartwarming moments as they accompany players with their light bags or carry the flag. It’s an opportunity to celebrate tradition and community spirit, away from the intense competition of the main Masters tournament.

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Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Masters Week Starts With Rare Solar Eclipse

Patrons witness a rare natural spectacle at the The Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)
Patrons witness a rare natural spectacle at the The Masters Tournament 2024. (Image: Getty)

There is only a few days left to wait until the prestigious The Masters Tournament 2024 officially begins. And although the tournament’s opening round doesn’t tee off until Thursday, many golf enthusiasts were already treated to the first highlight on Monday. Taking place off the course – a solar eclipse left many spectators in awe.

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The Masters Tournament 2024: An unparalleled setting for a natural spectacle

The start of the Masters week already offered plenty on Monday. A majority of the 89 players qualified for the tournament in Augusta played their first practice round. Among them was Tiger Woods, whom spectators could follow early in the morning on the back nine alongside Will Zalatoris. However, the event that garnered the most attention took place in the sky. Through the eclipse glasses distributed at the event, spectators, caddies, and players could witness the partial solar eclipse in its maximum obscuration around 3 p.m. in the afternoon.

Total Solar Eclipse in Some Parts of the Continent

In a narrow strip, the rare natural phenomenon traveled from Mexico across the USA to Canada. During this event, the moon moved directly in front of the sun, obscuring it and causing relative darkness in the middle of the day. While 14 states in the USA experienced a total solar eclipse, the venue of the The Masters Tournament 2024 in the state of Georgia enjoyed at least a partial solar eclipse of up to 76%. The next solar eclipse of a similar magnitude is not expected until 2044.

Live Blog: Follow the Masters Tournament 2024

Indeed, this natural event was not the first to attract attention at a Masters. In 1940, an annular solar eclipse occurred, obscuring about 90 percent of the sun. It happened just after 5 p.m. and lasted about 2½ hours.

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Highlights Tours

Why Isn’t Rory McIlory At The Masters Champions Dinner?

Rory McIlroy in the last round of the 2023 Masters Tournament. (Image: Getty)
Rory McIlroy in the last round of the 2023 Masters Tournament. (Image: Getty)

Rory McIlroy is one of the worlds outstanding golfers, both on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. But with appearances on all Majors, Tour finals and every other big tournament there is in golf, one special occasion is still missing in McIlroys yearly schedule, the Masters Champions Dinner.

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Rory McIlroy and The Masters Champions Dinner at Augusta National

So why is Rory McIlroy not invited to the famous Masters Dinner? As the official name of the – probably most famous – dinner in golf suggests, the “Masters Champions Dinner” is just for the elite circle of past and reigning Masters Champions. The tradition was originally startet by Ben Hogan back in the 1950s and is continued as a popular tradition, not just for the attendees, but for golf fans as well. The Masters Champions Dinner Menu is a talking point for many and is chosen by the reigning Masters Champion from the previous year.

So Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and this years host Jon Rahm are going to be present, but Rory McIlroy didn’t get an invite. Because as simple as it is, he hasn’t won a Masters Tournament yet.

Rory McIlroy at The Masters Tournament

So for McIlroy the Masters-Odyssey doesn’t stop at a missing invite to this dinner. The Northern Irishman is negatively famous for being “cursed” at the first Major of each golf season. With wins at the PGA Championship, the US Open and the Open Championship the only Major missing for his Grand Slam is the Masters Tournament.

Follow Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament live

In 2022 the Northern Irishman came close to a victory with a second place but fumbled in his last round and Scottie Scheffler claimed his first Major title in response. In 2023 McIlroy even missed the cut. So starting this years Major season he changed his routines by missing the famous Par 3 Contest on Wednesday.

Who Pays For The Masters Champions Dinner?
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Highlights Tours

Who Pays For The Masters Champions Dinner?

The traditional annual Masters Champions Dinner at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Image: Twitter/@themasters)
The traditional annual Masters Champions Dinner at the Augusta National Golf Club. (Image: Twitter/@themasters)

The greatest players on golf, all gathered at a dinner table? This happens once every year with the Masters Champions Dinner. All previous Masters Tournament Champions come together the Tuesday before the event and dine a menu chosen by the reigning Champion.

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The Start Of A Tradition – Thanks To Ben Hogan

The tradition started with none other than Ben Hogan in 1952, when the Champion of the 1951’s edition first invited the other Masters Champions to a “stag dinner at the Augusta National” as quoted in the invitation posted on Hungry Fan. From burgers and fries (Tigers first Masters Dinner at just 22 years old) over haggis to a traditional Basque menu in this years Champions Dinner held by Jon Rahm, the food choices of the Major Champions are quite different each year.

But no worries for picky eaters, if you don’t like parts of the menu the Augusta National offers the normal menu to choose from instead. Altough, as Trevor Immelman stated in the Fore Play Podcast recently, it’s always best to try the options chosen by the Champions which are “always extraordinary”.

Rory McIlroy’s Tee Times for The Masters Tournament

Who Pays For The Masters Tournament Champions Dinner?

Trevor Immelman not only spoke about his experience attending the Dinner as a guest but also what it is like hosting the iconic evening. The 2008 Masters Champion revealed that the host not only chooses the menu but also has to pay for the evening. “The defending champion does pay for the meal which is a really cool tradition”, Immelman said in the Fore Play Podcast. And for such a special night the Augusta National carries out some of the finest bourbons, so the Masters Champions – in this case Immelman and Adam Scott – get a taste and end the night on a high note (with a peaty flavor in the finish).

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PGA Tour

The Masters Tournament 2024: Journey To The Coveted Green Jacket

Before the Masters Tournament 2024 starts on Thursday, fans can look forward to a diverse pre-tournament program. (Photo: Getty)

As one of golf’s most prestigious events, the Masters Tournament 2024 commands attention worldwide. Starting April 11, golf’s elite will gather at Augusta National Golf Club, vying for the legendary “Green Jacket.”

But the tournament excitement already begins before Thursday’s opening tee-off, featuring unique events like the Champions Dinner on Tuesday and the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday. Golf Post will guide you through the year’s first major, from the initial preparations to the final putt.

Your Guide To The Masters Tournament 2024

Players arrive on Sunday and Monday for practice rounds. By tradition, former champions can play the course with a guest of their choice on the Sunday preceding Masters Week. Up until Wednesday, all players will be preparing at Augusta National. Pay special attention to Hole 16, where players often attempt to skip the ball over the water hazard to reach the green on the other side.

Tuesday, April 9

The traditional Champions Dinner, hosted by defending champion Jon Rahm, promises a feast for the senses. Rahm, who made history at Augusta National last year, honors his Spanish heritage with his menu selection. This year, the interaction between LIV Golf League representatives and the PGA Tour is highly anticipated, especially since Rahm switched to the LIV Tour just eight months after his Masters win.

Additionally, on Tuesday at 6:00 PM, the tee times and pairings for the first and second rounds will be announced, ensuring fans know when to tune in to see their favorites.

Wednesday, April 10

The Par-3 Contest, a cheerful prelude to the serious competition, brings players, their families, and fans together in a relaxed setting on Augusta National’s Par-3 course. Children serving as caddies, light-hearted moments, and the occasional hole-in-one make this event a true highlight. Yet, historically, winning this contest has not been a good omen for securing the Masters victory that same year.

Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14

With the start of the first round on Thursday, the battle for one of golf’s most coveted symbols, the Green Jacket, commences. Honorary starters, golf legends like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, initiate the tournament with the traditional first tee shot. Thursday and Friday see the Masters tournament field begin in threesomes. The first tee-off is expected early afternoon local time. Only those within the Top 50 and ties or within ten strokes of the lead will advance to the weekend at Augusta.

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Over the days leading to Sunday, the field narrows until only the champion remains, earning not just the traditional Green Jacket but also a $3.24 million prize.

Who Is Competing In The Masters Tournament 2024?

The participant list reads like a who’s who of golf: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler are just a few names expected to make waves at Augusta’s fairways. Tiger Woods also returns to professional tournament play here, his first since having to withdraw from the second round of the Genesis Invitational 2024 in February.

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Panorama

World Golf Ranking: Scheffler at the top and Top US Players

Scottie Scheffler. (Photo: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler. (Photo: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler maintained his lead in the World Golf Ranking as the top American and overall number one, showcasing stability at the pinnacle. Conversely, Wyndham Clark remains the fourth-ranked American golfer with no movement from his previous fourth place in the World Golf Ranking.

Hier geht es zur ganzen Golf-Weltrangliste

Xander Schauffele, another prominent American in golf, holds his position at fifth, indicating a steady performance among the elite. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay, ranked seventh, and Brian Harman, situated at eighth, retain their previous standings, reflecting a continuous display of solid golf without advancements in the ranking.

Dynamics in the US Golf Scene

Number eleven, Max Homa, experienced a minor slide, reflecting a slight negative shift in his status within the World Golf Ranking, leaving the top 10. Cameron Young lost one rank aswell and is now at fourteenth. Sahith Theegala at fifteenth have not seen any ranking changes this week. Keegan Bradley, now ranked sixteenth, has climbed two spots, signaling a positive development in his standing. The most remarkable improvement among the highlighted American players comes from Russell Henley, who vaulted from twenty-third to seventeenth, marking a significant upward trend in his World Golf Ranking.

Fluctuations in the Top 10

While the top three with Rory McIlroy on second and Jon Rahm on third hold steady, the remainder of the top 10 exhibits some shifts. Matt Fitzpatrick, the only player within this range to improve his standing, leapt from eleventh to tenth in the World Golf Ranking. This progress demonstrates his positive momentum as he moves into the elite group. On the other hand, the rest of the field within the top ten maintained their rankings, preempting any dramatic changes and prolonging the battle for supremacy in the tours ahead.

This text was created with the help of AI.

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Panorama

World Golf Ranking Update: Matt Fitzpatrick is back in the top 10

Matt Fitzpatrick from England. (Photo: Getty)
Matt Fitzpatrick from England. (Photo: Getty)

The latest World Golf Ranking release continues to see Scottie Scheffler from the USA holding the top spot. Closely following him is Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy in second place, maintaining his position from the previous week. The World Golf Ranking features prominent British players with Matt Fitzpatrick from England making positive strides, moving up one spot to the 10th position. Tommy Fleetwood, another English golfer, is currently ranked 13th, one rank lower than last week.

Hier geht es zur ganzen Golf-Weltrangliste

Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose, both hailing from England, experienced a dip in the World Golf Ranking. Hatton dropped two places to 19th, while Rose fell two spots to 58th. Robert MacIntyre from Scotland is now ranked 80th, a one-place drop from the previous ranking.

Analyzing the World Golf Ranking within the top 10, Jon Rahm of Spain remains at the 3rd spot with Americans Wyndham Clark and Xander Schauffele holding onto the 4th and 5th places respectively. Viktor Hovland from Norway maintains the 6th position, followed by Patrick Cantlay and Brian Harman of the USA who retain their 7th and 8th spots. Rounding out the ninth position is Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg. Among the notable shifts, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan has ascended two spots, landing at 12th in the World Golf Ranking. This shift highlights the ongoing competitiveness and dynamism within the sport’s elite echelon. The World Golf Ranking continues to provide a benchmark for golfers’ performance globally, reflecting their recent achievements and form in professional golf tournaments.

This text was created with the help of AI.

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Live

Watch: PGA Tour highlights from round 4 of the Valero Texas Open

Akshay Bhatia with the trophy. (Photo: Getty)
Akshay Bhatia with the trophy. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Tour continued its schedule with the Valero Texas Open, hosted in San Antonio, Texas, USA, on the challenging TPC San Antonio Oaks Course. The tournament attracted a large number of participants and was in full swing with round 4 being played.

On the leaderboard, Akshay Bhatia, Denny McCarthy, Rory McIlroy, Russell Henley, and Adam Schenk and Brendon Todd emerged as the top six players. After the fourth round, Bhatia and McCarthy were tied for the first position, both with a total score of -20. McIlroy held the third spot with a total score of -11, followed by Henley with -10, and Schenk and Todd at -9.

During the fourth round, Denny McCarthy had an impressive daily score of -9, making him one of the top performers of the day. Other commendable performances of the day came from Akshay Bhatia and Rory McIlroy, who showcased their skills with daily scores of -5 and -6, respectively. McCarthy forced a play-off against Akshay Bhatia, but lost it, allowing Bhatia to celebrate the victory.

One of the main highlights of the tournament was the significant prize money of $9,200,000, which has been a motivating factor for the players.

Finally, it would be incomplete if we didn’t mention the exciting “Valero Texas Open Highlights” video. It is a clear snapshot of the events of round 4, capturing the key moments and bringing together the “PGA Tour Highlights”.

show Valero Texas Open Leaderboard

Valero Texas Open: The PGA Tour round 4 highlights

About the PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the largest American professional golf tour. There are 36 tournaments on the tour’s schedule this season. The tournaments mainly take place in the USA, but there are also some international venues over the course of the season. The signature events introduced in 2023 offer higher prize money and a smaller field of participants. There will be a total of eight of these events in the 2024 season. The four Majors and the Players Championship are also part of the PGA Tour. At the end of the tours season, the 70 best players in the FedEx Cup season rankings will play in a three-tournament play-off for overall tour victory and an extra 18 million dollars in prize money.

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The Masters Tournament 2024: What Are Rory McIlroy’s Winning Odds?

Looking for his fifth major title at the US Masters: Rory McIlroy. (Image: Getty)
Looking for his fifth major title at the US Masters: Rory McIlroy. (Image: Getty)

Only one week from now the Masters Tournament will hold a new champion. Well, that is of course if the reigning champion Jon Rahm doesn’t defend his title. As per usual, no major is being played without having various discussions about possible outcomes, title contenders or dark horses. When talking title contenders, none of these discussions can be had without including Rory McIlroy. We’re having a look at what the odds for a McIlroy win look like and why even though ranked second in the Official World Golf Ranking, most may not hold him as one of the favorites to win at Augusta.

Essentially, McIlroy is currently not in bad form and has repeatedly won tournaments such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic or the Genesis Scottish Open. However, it still seems wrong to include the world number two in the tight circle of favorites on par with players like Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm. The reason for this is obvious: McIlroy has not won a major tournament in the past ten years.

The trophy cabinet desperately awaits another major title

His last victory in a major dates back to 2014 when he won the PGA Championship. It marks his fourth major title after winning the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and the Open Championship in 2014. Since then, he has been unable to fulfill his dream of a Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments. Only the Masters Tournament is missing for him to achieve this. However, considering his lack of success at majors in recent years, there are hardly any arguments to suggest why he should fulfill his Grand Slam dream at the upcoming Masters. But let’s stop the pessimism and have a look at the bright side for a moment.

Why there is hope for optimism at the Masters Tournament 2024

With all that being said, it’s not like Rory McIlroy doesn’t perform in his major appearances. In the last five years, the North Irish player placed inside the top 10 at major tournaments twelve times. He just didn’t get lucky enough to win one of them. However his past results at the Masters Tournament were very inconsistent. Last year didn’t go as planned, as he missed the cut, just like in 2021. In between he had a very close shot at the title with his runner-up finish in 2022. In 2020 he finished tied for fifth place.

His current form also suggests that a good finish at the Masters this year isn’t beyond imagination. This year started off great, with a tied runner-up finish at the Dubai Invitational and a victory in the following week. McIlroy also placed inside the top-20 at the Players Championship and secured a third place the Valero Texas Open, looking to build some confidence for the upcoming week.