Took a punch to the stomach in the Match Play, where he was eliminated by a player he'd beaten, and had previously complained of stomach and dehydration issues which saw him skip the WGC Workday Championship. Between those two episodes he was a bit disappointing at Sawgrass but having been one of the in-form players in the world coming into this six months ago, perhaps he'll benefit from a slightly softer preparation. Had started the year in blistering form and had a good chance to win this in 2019. Sometimes looks hopeless on the greens but stats say his game is complete, and he's ready for the next step up the ladder at a course where he hit the front late on Sunday two years ago. Very few flaws and while price might look short, you're getting a lot of places built into that deal.
Ex-human rights activist who has pivoted to a 'come one, come all' approach lately. On the course, form has been very solid and includes a good European Tour win in Dubai, plus a couple of contending performances in the US such as at Sawgrass where he appeared to be nursing an injured wrist. How that's affecting him is hard to say but it's a slight question mark against the name of an experienced and effective Augusta campaigner, who led after round one in November (first time he's ended any round here in first place). Some will say the way he played thereafter says it all but don't forget Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott have won this recently. Casey would be no less deserving and did very little wrong in the PGA Championship won by Collin Morikawa, except perhaps for producing a broad grin when the youngster hit the tournament-winning shot. Get beat in a major at the age of 43 and pull a daft face. Typical.
Two-time PGA Tour winner who rivals Bryson DeChambeau for power, thanks to an athletic swing and hips that twist more than Line Of Duty. Massive eye-catcher on his debut here in November, especially in a final round which included eight birdies only to play the par-threes to an average of five strokes — that's 0.25 more than he played the par-fives that day. Since then it's been a frustrating start to 2021 and while that's almost all down to the putter, the fact that he currently ranks as one of the very worst on the PGA Tour is a big issue. If he fixes it, the sky is the limit, but for now a first cut made of the year in Texas isn't enough.
The original golf tweeter who last played here in 2019 thanks to a top-five finish in the previous year's US PGA. Won for the first time since the 2009 Open Championship at the Safeway Open to start the season and held that form for a few more weeks, but not so good in 2021 and it's 13 years since he was last a factor in this. Doubtless he'll be delighted to have another chance to play Augusta having spent much of his life in Georgia.
Elegant swinger of a golf club whose ball-striking stats are wonderfully consistent. Looks like he's still improving and there was a lot to like about the way in which he fought back after an opening 74 to finished 10th on his third visit here. How much of that was down to November's unique conditions and the absence of fans we do not know but suspect any firming of the greens will work against him and his fragile putting, despite some good signs in this year's stats. Not a factor in the Match Play but prior to that had come with a late burst at Sawgrass and would expect him to light it up in patches.
Keen gardener who plays a bit of golf and often very well, collecting some high-profile wins and regularly contending in majors at his peak. Best efforts include fourth place here in 2013, when roaring Adam Scott to victory to confirm he is firmly in the Good Egg category, and top-15 finishes on two of his last three visits. November's effort was notable for the fact he arrived in fairly rotten form and his knowledge of the course, and belief that he can score here, could help him to outperform what will for many be fairly low expectations.
Beat a good friend to win the Amateur Championship at Royal Birkdale. Only tour-level experience came subsequently in South Africa, where he missed both cuts, and would be defying the odds were he to make the weekend.
Hasn't put everything together since winning the Open, with just two top-level top-10 finishes since then and nothing better than sixth. That's a poor return and he knows it, though the fact his best efforts came in WGC and PLAYERS Championship company tells you he's a big-time golfer who just doesn't quit. Expect a determined run at making the Ryder Cup side and where better to start than Augusta, where he says he learned a lot from playing three rounds with Tiger Woods in November. That tie for 25th was his best performance at the course (MC-39-MC-MC before) and in theory he might find further improvement under firmer conditions. Not the silliest outsider and an option if you do want to oppose Rory in the top player from the island of Ireland market.
Found it a bit of a slog under soft conditions last time and hasn't made a cut here since 2014. Came close in 2018 and 2019 but main role might be to take Robert MacIntyre under his wing during practice.
Scotland's Great White Hope who won the Cyprus Showdown last year and has climbed inside the world's top 50 to earn his Masters debut. Says he plans to play with the man above plus Patrick Reed, so he should know every trick in the book by tee-off. Inexperience is a major barrier here but takes things in his stride and arrives buoyed by his Match Play performance, again his first appearance in the event. Needs to dial in the long-game for what's another big week in his burgeoning career.