A month out from the Masters and, apart from getting ready for his defence of the inexperienced jacket, Scottie Scheffler could properly have a menu on his thoughts.
Watch each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique on Fox Sports activities, accessible on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time provide.
For the second time in three years, the world No.1 might be tasked with selecting the menu for the annual Champions Dinners on April 5, the Tuesday of Masters Week in Augusta.
This version of the Masters, which might be screened completely in Australia by Fox Sports activities on Foxtel and Kayo subsequent month, is intriguing given the calibre of the sphere headed by Scheffler.
Among the many traditions that comes with the status of profitable the Masters is the best to decide on the menu for individuals who have additionally shared the honour and Scheffler informed USA At present he’s contemplating requesting the identical eating choices that have been provided in 2023.
Except Scheffler springs a shock, this implies former champions together with Angel Cabrera, who’s returning after a stint in jail, might be snacking on cheeseburger sliders served “Scottie model,” firecracker shrimp and tortilla soup.
A Texas ribeye steak and blackened redfish function the probably choices for the primary course, with a heat chocolate chip skillet cookie with milk and ice cream on provide for dessert.
However the menu shouldn’t be the one tasty providing that can happen at Augusta as foxsports.com.au takes a take a look at The Masters a month out from the primary drive.
WILL THE GREAT DIVIDE IN GOLF BE RESOLVED BY THE MASTERS?
From Oval Workplace chats to heavyweight conferences between monetary powers across the globe, the easing of tensions and the prospect of peace talks, there was a lot to debate in golf in latest months.
However for all of the speak, there stays an air of familiarity relating to a battle that has now raged for practically three years between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Lots of the common checkpoints have been ticked over the previous week.
A star participant hoping to show again the clock and return to his former house?
This week the participant reportedly desirous to rejoin the ranks within the US is Brooks Koepka, who gained the US PGA a yr after defecting to affix the insurgent tour. He has since loved appreciable LIV success.
However a day previous to the declare by champion golfer Fred {Couples} that the American wished to grow to be the PGA Tour’s prodigal son, Koepka was glowing when praising the revolutionary Tomorrow Golf League and what it shares with the LIV Tour.
And it prompted a agency rebuke from LIV golfer Phil Mickleson in a put up the lefty has since deleted.
It’s undisputed pathways for LIV stars again to some tournaments have improved in latest months and there seems need for a unification of types.
However a decision previous to Scheffler teeing as much as start his defence at Augusta within the occasion starting on April 7 stays unlikely, regardless of some hopes.
The divide might be stark once more subsequent week when the world’s greatest golfers are in reverse hemispheres on the Gamers’ Championship at Sawgrass and a LIV Golf occasion in Singapore.
However Tiger Woods just lately mentioned he believes the sport can “heal shortly” after Adam Scott and PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan met with US President Donald Trump within the Oval Workplace.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley just lately informed Sky Sports activities’ golf podcast that he believes there might be an announcement relating to a step ahead in discussions between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Funding fund bankrolling LIV.
“It feels like issues are coming collectively,” he mentioned.
“It feels like there’s strain being exerted for that to occur and hopefully it should as a result of, at this second in time, it’s ridiculous what’s going on. No tour is prospering. All of them are struggling and none of them will be joyful.”
As proof of the thaw, Augusta officers invited Chilean star Joaquin Niemann, who gained the LIV Golf occasion in Adelaide in trendy style, as one in all two particular invitees for 2025.
“In assist of Augusta Nationwide’s efforts to develop curiosity in golf globally, deserving worldwide gamers not in any other case certified have been invited all through the match’s historical past,” Augusta chairman Fred Ridley mentioned.
Niemann will be a part of fellow LIV Golf regulars Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Bryson deChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Tommy Fleetwood, Bubba Watson and Cameron Smith at Augusta subsequent month.
However a decision stays a while away, Monahan mentioned on the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida this week.
There are nonetheless a number of components to conform to, together with what the proportion breakdown could be with regard to what number of LIV gamers could be welcomed again to the PGA fold.
“If you’re seeking to reunify the sport, not everyone goes to be joyful,” the PGA Commissioner mentioned.
“With our participant administrators and with our board, we’re extremely acutely aware of reunification and specializing in that as a aim, and in the end after we get to that place, that’s a query we’ll all reply.
“However I’m hopeful that while you take a look at what we’re making an attempt to perform, what meaning for the PGA Tour and what meaning for the sport on a long-term foundation, we are going to clear up that in the best and confirmed approach we probably can.”
WHICH AUSSIES ARE LOCKED IN FOR A TILT AT THE GREEN JACKET?
It’s now 12 years since Scott ended an everlasting drought in Australia’s wealthy golf historical past by claiming the inexperienced jacket in thrilling style at Augusta.
Some disappointing outcomes across the Masters final yr prompted the veteran to change irons and that led to a resurgence, with Scott now ranked again contained in the world’s prime 25.
The Queenslander is among the many 5 Australians presently featured on the listing of practically 90 invitees for the distinguished occasion, which is able to display completely on Fox Sports activities and Kayo Sports activities subsequent month for the primary time.
The 44-year-old might be joined by Jason Day, who’s presently ranked thirty fourth, the 2022 British Open champion Smith, the forty fifth ranked Cameron Davis and world No.55 Min Woo Lee.
The window for different Australian golfers to affix them is small, with the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week to be adopted by The Gamers Championship at Sawgrass subsequent week.
The highest-50 ranked gamers on the finish of 2024 acquired an invite for The Masters, whereas gamers ranked inside that mark the week previous to the key who didn’t characteristic in that class on December 31 can even earn a begin within the match.
The highest 12, together with ties, from the 2024 Masters are granted a begin, so too gamers who completed within the prime 4 on the US Open and PGAs, together with The British Open.
Each winner at a full subject PGA Tour occasion not held in the identical week as a significant additionally secures a tee spot.
The three most up-to-date winners of The Gamers Championship earned an invite, so too the qualifiers for the 2024 Tour Championship.
The winners of the world’s 5 greatest novice titles additionally earn a spot, which is why Melburnian Jasper Stubbs performed at Augusta final yr.
The Masters committee can even invite gamers they deem worthy of a spot, therefore the invitation to Niemann.
Watch each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique on Fox Sports activities, accessible on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time provide.
Nerveless Niemann claims Adelaide Title | 01:55
WHO ARE THE EARLY FAVOURITES?
A lot of the massive names on the LIV Tour have secured a begin courtesy of their earlier deeds within the majors, with Smith amongst them as he seeks to regain his greatest kind.
The Aussie star might want to sharpen his recreation if he’s to problem the established favourites headed by Scheffler, the world’s No.1 golfer.
The twin-champion, who completed third in The Genesis Invitational at his most up-to-date begin final month, is listed as a $5 favorite to assert his third inexperienced jacket in 4 years subsequent month.
The bookies have narrowed the listing by way of the quartet they think about essentially the most able to difficult the 28-year-old, with solely 4 different gamers listed underneath 20-1.
Rory McIlroy was so shut final yr on a few events and the Northern Irishman is taken into account the participant more than likely to problem as he seeks to interrupt a decade-long drought.
Xander Schauffele was good final yr when profitable two majors, together with The British Open at Troon, and is fancied alongside final yr’s runner-up Ludvig Aberg and LIV star Jon Rahm.
As for the Aussies, Smith looms because the main contender once more after ending sixth final yr, however he failed to fireside within the different three majors final yr and is struggling to seek out the green.
And as for a smoky, may former world No.1 Jordan Spieth shock?
After breaking by for a maiden main win at Augusta in 2015, the American notched up one other two wins at that stage however his most up-to-date success was the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale.
However the 31-year-old has posted two prime 10 finishes this yr and, given his historical past at Augusta, is rated a $34 probability to finish a drought courting again eight years.
Homa and co. chase Scheffler | 01:57
WILL TIGER WOODS PLAY?
There was no higher sight in golf than the Tiger on the prowl across the hallowed greens at Augusta and, even when ailing, the legend has executed his greatest to tee off within the Masters.
It’s now six years since Woods claimed his fifth Masters title, which can be the newest of his 15 main wins, and it’s the solely main he has completed within the final 4 years.
Now 49, the American bravely soldiered on when clearly in ache to complete sixtieth final yr.
After an look within the inaugural TGL league earlier this week, Woods dominated out competing in The Gamers Championship at Sawgrass subsequent week.
Pertaining to the latest dying of his mom Kultida Woods, Woods mentioned he would think about his coming golf commitments as soon as his feelings had settled.
“That is the third time I’ve touched a membership since my mum handed, so I haven’t actually gotten into it,” he mentioned.
“My coronary heart shouldn’t be into practising proper now. I’ve so many different issues to do with the Tour. As soon as I begin in all probability feeling slightly bit higher and begin entering into it, I’ll begin wanting on the schedule.”
‘God we suck!’ – Tiger left in stitches | 02:01