Tag: US Masters 2024

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Can Jon Rahm and other LIV Players start at the Masters?

Jon Rahm and many other LIV Players have managed to win at the Masters. Can one of the 13 LIV Golfers clinch the title this year at Augusta? (Source: Getty)
Jon Rahm and many other LIV Players have managed to win at the Masters. Can one of the 13 LIV Golfers clinch the title this year at Augusta? (Source: Getty)

The Masters is drawing ever closer and many players are among the big favorites. In addition to the superstars of the PGA Tour such as Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, some players from the rival LIV Tour are also laying claim to the title. These include former Masters Winners Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia or Dustin Johnson. Find out here why the LIV Stars are allowed to compete and what chances they have.

Jon Rahm and Co.: 13 LIV Players to start at the Masters Tournament

LIV Golf star Sergio Garcia has sent a clear message to the rest of the field: Those from the Saudi-backed circuit are “coming for that Green Jacket”. Garcia, one of the 13 players from the LIV Golf League set to tee it up at The Masters from April 11-14, has already secured a lifelong exemption to the event after his dramatic playoff victory at Augusta National in 2017.

Also returning as defending champion is Jon Rahm, who clinched victory last year with a four-shot lead over fellow LIV Golf League members Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, the latter of whom went on to win the PGA Championship the following month. The roster of LIV Players vying for the coveted Green Jacket reads like a who’s who of golf: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, and Charl Schwartzel, all former recipients of the esteemed jacket and therefore holders of lifelong exemptions at the Masters, alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who qualified as recent winners of a different major.

But there are also fresh faces ready to make their mark. Tyrrell Hatton earned his spot after qualifying for the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship last August. Adrian Meronk secured his place by finishing 2023 inside the world’s top 50. Joaquin Niemann accepted a special invitation following three top-five finishes on the DP World Tour.

Rahm believes that a LIV Player can clinch the title at the Masters

With 88 players set to feature at The Masters and one final spot available to the winner of the Valero Texas Open, just over 14 percent of the major field will hail from the LIV Golf League.

Golf pundit Nick Dougherty believes Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Rory McIlroy will be among the contenders vying for the Green Jacket in Augusta, with hopes resting on McIlroy to complete a career grand slam and etch his name into history. “There is quite a few major champions in LIV and there is a few that are major champion quality golfers,” defending champion Jon Rahm said. “So just pure numbers, if you go with math, wouldn’t be the highest, but I’m confident that one of us can get it done this year.”

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Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament?

Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament before?
Has Rory McIlroy won the Masters Tournament before?

Rory McIlroy is one of the best golfers of his generation and beyond. The Northern Irishman has already won numerous titles on the PGA Tour in his career and McIlroy has also won several of the four major events. However, the Northern Irishman is only one title short of becoming a legend.

Rory McIlroys outstanding carrer

Rory McIlroy won his first professional event at the age of just 20, launching his great career. Two years later, he achieved his first triumph at a major event when he won the US Open with the best score ever achieved at this tournament of 16 strokes under par. In March 2012, at the age of 22, he became the second youngest number 1 in the world golf rankings of all time and won his second major at the PGA Championship in August of the same year. McIlroy scored his third major success in 2014 with his victory at the British Open, which means he is now only missing a Masters victory for the career grand slam. In the same year, McIlroy also achieved his fourth and last Major success to date when he won the PGA Championship for the second time.

McIlroys Masters Tournament tragedy

McIlroy is making his 16th Masters Tournament appearance in 2024. He won over four million dollars in Augusta and in 2022 he came closer than ever before to a victory with second place. Nevertheless, McIlroy’s story at the Masters could be described as tragic.

This dates back to 2011 when McIlroy caused a sensation at augusta for the first time. In April, the then 21-year-old blew a four-shot lead after the third day of the Masters and finished the tournament in a tie for 15th place. That was the first time McIlroy was halfway into the green jacket that he has not yet been allowed to wear. In the following three years, McIlroy went on a real winning spree and won four majors during this time, but since 2014 his run has come to a halt. McIlroy is just one win away from joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win a career Grand Slam at the US Masters. But although he came close time and again, it just doesn’t seem to work out for the Northern Irishman at Augusta. The 34-year-old has finished the tournament in the top 10 seven times in the last ten years, even finishing in the top five four times. After missing the cut in 2023, McIlroy will make another attempt to finally put an end to his Augusta-Curse and win a major tournament again after ten years to complete the career grand slam.

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US Masters 2024: The Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Rose Zhang won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2023. Meanwhile she became a LPGA Champion. (Source: Getty)
Rose Zhang won the Augusta National Women's Amateur in 2023. Meanwhile she became a LPGA Champion. (Source: Getty)

Since 2019, Augusta National has hosted the Augusta National Women’s Amateur every year before the US Masters. 72 amateur players take part in the event and compete in a 54-hole stroke play. After two rounds, there is a cut and the 30 best players and tied players are allowed to play the final round on the legendary Augusta National course.

US Masters 2024: Das Augusta National Women’s Amateur

The Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) was held for the first time in 2019. The aim of the organizers is to further increase interest in women’s golf and also to enable some female players the dream of playing on the legendary course of the golf club. The first edition was won by the then leader of the amateur world rankings, Jennifer Kupcho. Three years later, the 16-year-old Anna Davis was crowned the winner and in 2023 the current LPGA Tour player Rose Zhang took her career to the next level with a victory in Augusta. After her win at Augusta National Zhang quickly turned professional on the LPGA Tour. Since then the just 20 year old has made five top 10 finishes on Tour, three of them at major tournaments.

The first 36 holes will be played at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 3 and 4. An official practice on the Augusta National Course will take place on April 5, followed by the final round on April 6, where the best players will compete for victory. Qualification for the tournament is based on various criteria, including the current champions of various national and international amateur tournaments as well as the top performers of the past year according to the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. In addition, special invitations are awarded by the ANWA committee. A variety of opportunities await the winner of the ANWA 2024, provided she remains an amateur player. In addition to participating in the next five editions of the ANWA, she will receive invitations to some of the most prestigious women’s golf tournaments in the world, including the U.S. Women’s Open, the Women’s Open, the Chevron Championship and the Evian Championship.