After back-to-back European winners at Augusta, we assess the latest challengers trying to make it a hat-trick of Masters victories.
Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia have been measured up for green jackets in the last two years after two decades of Europeans missing out at the Masters, but can the invading army complete the hat-trick this time around?
Danny Willett ended 17 years without a European victor in 2016 – with his win coming 20 years after England’s last green jacket winner in Nick Faldo.
Sergio Garcia then pipped Justin Rose to the title in an epic clash 12 months ago, 18 years after Jose Maria Olazabal won the second of his Masters titles at Augusta.
This year there’s another strong European challenge and, with , there are plenty of value options.
Despite Tiger Woods being back, Dustin Johnson being world number one and Justin Thomas winning again this year, Rory heads to Augusta as the Masters favourite as he chases the one missing major to complete the grand slam. That fact alone tells you just how good McIlroy is, as he showed with his Bay Hill victory.
A top 10 finish seems almost a certainty for this two-time runner-up such is his record around Augusta. Lost out to Sergio Garcia last year but didn’t do much wrong and has been in decent form again this year. He's 19-under in the last five Masters combined and only Jordan Spieth can top that effort. A win here would be fully deserved and this may well be his time.
The Spaniard was bang in contention heading into the weekend last year before fading away, but that was his Augusta debut and he’ll learn plenty after that experience. He’s not got close in the majors but this is only his second full season as a pro and that’s a frightening thought for someone who’s already won four times.
Casey could be the value of the European contingent given his win at the Valspar Championship a few weeks ago and his undeniable form at Augusta where he’s finished no worse than sixth on his last three visits. On current form a top 10 again seems assured and it’s just a case of whether the 40-year-old can really challenge for a major title.
Finished as European Tour number one last year after a sharp upturn in form, and he maintained that this year as he defended his title in Abu Dhabi in January. Fleetwood missed the cut at Augusta last year but his golf improved markedly from the US Open onwards so should have a much better crack at it this time around.
This is the one major Stenson can’t get to grips with. Having won The Open and come close in the other two, but you’ve always got to give the 41-year-old a chance of pulling out his best golf such is the calibre of the man when he gets hot. His putting, though, always seems to be running cold at Augusta.
The power-hitting Belgian almost pulled of the improbable and winning on his Masters debut last year, as he finished up coming fourth on his first visit to Augusta. That followed a remarkable Ryder Cup debut in 2016 showing that he’s not afraid of starring on the big stage. He’s been a bit quiet since but could be a horses-for-course type back among the Azaleas.
Another one struggling a bit for form but with decent memories of Augusta, in particularly of two years ago when he finished seventh. Recent displays don’t suggest that he can go close but course form is everything around this track.