8 Stories You Need to Follow at The 2023 Masters

By: Kieran Clark | Wed 05 Apr 2023

Being the first men's major of the season and returning to the same venue each spring, the Masters draws anticipation unlike any other event in golf.

The iconography of Augusta National and the rich history of the tournament is more than enough of a story when springtime comes around, but this year, there are specific talking points that make this 87th edition so intriguing and potentially deeply impactful to the game.

Here are eight storylines that you should be paying attention to at this Masters.

Rory McIlroy

Last year, the Northern Irishman left Augusta National feeling an uncharacteristic degree of positivity following a final-round of 64 that was highlighted by his thrilling holed bunker shot on the 18th. This was a runner-up finish that generated hope for the future, which was translated into his brilliantly consistent play throughout the remainder of 2022.

However, a major title remained elusive, most agonisingly at St Andrews. That said, a triumph here would make up for that disappointment, establishing McIlroy as just the sixth player to have completed the set of the four recognised men's major titles.

That accomplishment would transform the former world number one into being a legendary golfer, not just a great, generational talent. There can't be a realistically bigger story than that this week.

LIV Golfers

There are 18 players from LIV Golf participating this week, several of them former champions, which presents a rare (and welcome) chance to see all of the leading names brought together on the same competitive stage.

Brooks Koepka - for a time the most dominant figure in the majors - displayed positive form last weekend in Orlando, which should place him in a position to potentially contend. Since his glory days, injuries and even a slump in confidence portrayed a degree of vulnerability in the American, but he may just have that swagger back.

Much of last year was about Cameron Smith, the Champion Golfer at St Andrews. The Australian hasn't exactly produced glorious results since joining LIV, but his record at Augusta National is exceptional - and if that magical putting stroke clicks, he could be a significant threat on Sunday.

However, the most likely contender might just be Dustin Johnson, who has expressed a personal serenity that few on any side of the sport have offered in recent months. The champion of 2020 is more than capable of threatening the leaderboard this weekend.

Many are understandably tired of the noise surrounding LIV and the messy politics of the game, but who doesn't want to see the likes of Smith, Koepka and Johnson battling with Scheffler, McIlroy and Rahm? When the Masters begins, it should all be about the golf.

The Masters 2023

Tiger Woods

12 months ago, the 15-time major champion battled and fought to successfully make the cut, little over a year since his devastating car crash in Los Angeles.

Admitting that he may not have many more appearances to make in the Masters, the 47-year-old is slowly losing the conflict with time and the limitations of his body - but whose to say that he can't offer a few more thrills along the way?

Ultimately, Tiger is always a story, but whether you're an ardent fan or not, we should all appreciate these increasingly fleeting opportunities to watch this most extraordinary of golfers return to a canvas that he made his own.

Scottie Scheffler

It seems ridiculous now to consider that at the beginning of last year Scottie Scheffler hadn't yet won a PGA Tour event. The Texan has certainly made up for that since, claiming titles such as the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC Dell Match Play, The Players Championship, and, of course, the Masters Tournament.

Successfully defending at Augusta National is an accomplishment that only Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus can boast about, but there is every chance that the 26-year-old could join them. Technically and temperamentally, he is simply imperious.

Farewell to Sandy Lyle & Larry Mize

This week brings down the curtain on two playing careers at the Masters. Sandy Lyle and Larry Mize have confirmed that this shall be their final competitive appearances at Augusta National, which is quietly significant on both counts.

Lyle, the Shropshire Scot, was the first champion from Britain, setting a standard that was quickly followed by Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam. A generation of youngsters on these shores were inspired by their achievements - Lyle's winning birdie (specifically THAT bunker shot) has remained timeless.

But, at 65, it's time to bid farewell as the World Golf Hall of Fame member closes the book on a major career that began almost half a century ago.

For Larry Mize, the local boy who used to volunteer at the tournament as a youngster, his tale is a remarkable one and his playoff clinching shot to deny Greg Norman arguably the greatest in the history of this event.

It will be an emotional week for these two men and they deserve to soak it all in one last time.

The Weather

Typically, we watch the Masters each year in the hope of seeing the majestic setting illuminated by sunlight and blue skies, but that might be a rare sight as the week progresses.

Thundery showers are in the forecast for Friday, while Saturday looks to be a total washout with heavy rain forecast all day. While less severe, conditions on Sunday are expected to be damp and cool.

Who does this most favour in the field? Adjust your betting slips accordingly.

The New 13th Tee

Augusta National has evolved since its opening 90 years ago, but the latest change is perhaps one of the most striking, as the 13th tee has been extended by 40 yards. This was a costly endeavour that required millions spent to purchase land from adjacent Augusta Country Club, but it has been done to restore this classic par five to its roots, making it considerably more challenging to reach in two, bringing a level of strategy and decision making back into play.

Indeed, the fact that such a move was required emphasises exactly why The R&A and USGA have proposed to roll back the golf ball for leading professionals, something that the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have long called for.

What Will Gary Player Say Next?

Never shy to share an (often contradictory) opinion, three-time champion Gary Player has made headlines coming into this Masters after first ranking the event as the bottom of the four majors, before then criticising Augusta National Golf Club for making him feel unwelcome and making it difficult for him to play the course with family.

Whatever the merits of his views, it has no doubt alarmed those behind the scenes, including Chairman Fred Ridley.

Following the honorary starters ceremony on Thursday, Player will join Nicklaus and Tom Watson to address the media, where we can expect these comments to be part of the conversation - and who knows what his explanation will be.