Masters 2022 Update

As March Madness ends, golf fans get super excited! It’s Masters time again and that means the beginning of major championship season!

This is just an update for 2022 but check out the OG Masters post here.

Who’s in?

Here is the leaderboard. This year there are 91 players in the field including 18 past Masters champions. Defending champion is Hideki Matsuyama.

Who to watch?

This is a tough question. There are so many players that could take it this year. I would personally look for one of the major names to win the jacket but that’s just me.

• Jon Rahm is the Vegas favorite for the tournament this year. He hasn’t won since last year’s US Open but was just unseated as World #1 so that ought to bring that fire back.

• Former World #1, Dustin Johnson looked strong at the Dell Match Play but hasn’t won in a while. He will be looking for his first win since the 2020 Masters (Nov 15^th). 2021 was the first year since 2014 that he did not win a tournament in a calendar year.
• Brooks Koepka, aka Mr. Major, is in his element. It’s hard to pick against Brooksy in a major, especially when he is healthy. We haven’t seen healthy Brooks in a while.
• Tiger Woods … even if he just makes the cut, it’s an accomplishment but I truly don’t think he would be playing if he didn’t think he could be competitive.

• Having Tiger back in the field is going to be a huge advantage to 3 people in particular:
  • Scottie Scheffler – coming in as the #1 player in the World, you’re bound to get a lot of media attention and extra questions, etc. But not when Tiger makes his triumphant return.
  • Rory McIlroy – he only needs the Masters to complete his career Grand Slam. He puts so much pressure on himself that the world seeing Tiger back should alleviate some of that.
  • Justin Thomas – the two are incredibly close. JT rode up on Tiger’s jet, practiced with Tiger and is good friends with the GOAT. You know Tiger has given him some of his insider knowledge.

• Sleeper picks: Will Zalatoris, Joaquin Neimann or Shane Lowry

Who do I doubt?

Hideki Matsuyama is injured so I would count him out. Plus there have only been 3 men to ever successful defend at Augusta: Nick Faldo (hes an announcer now), Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. But apparently Matsuyama’s dinner did not disappoint.

Bryson DeChambeau for similar reasons. He said he’s only 80% right now and for him to take the green jacket, he would need to be 110%

Who’s not here?

Phil Mickelson… you might’ve heard about his scandalous Saudi comments. However it was not due to being disinvited, Phil pulled out. It is unclear why but Augusta National chairman did clarify that Phil was invited.

How to watch?

• Wed 4/6
  • Par 3 Contest @ 2pm on ESPN
• Thurs 4/7

• • Masters – Round 1 @ 2pm on ESPN

• • • Highlights @ 10:35pm on CBS

• Fri 4/8
  • Masters – Round 2 @ 2pm on ESPN
    • Highlights @ 10:35pm on CBS

• Sat 4/9
  • Masters – Round 3 @ 2pm on CBS
    • Replay @ 7pm on CBSSN
• Sun 4/10
  • Masters – Final Round @ 1pm on CBS
    • Replay @ 9pm on CBSSN

You can also watch on CBS Sports app or the Masters app. The Masters app is great. You can watch by hole, by group, etc. Shout out to a friend of mine, Colt Knost for doing the Featured Group coverage!