The Masters predictions: Garcia primed for Augusta repeat
&w=707&quality=100)
- This will be the 89th staging of the Masters
- Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion
- Recommended bets:
- Sergio Garcia to win and each-way
- Sepp Straka to win and each-way
- Nick Taylor top-10 finish
Major season is upon us with a 95-strong field heading to Augusta National to battle it out for the coveted Green Jacket at the Masters.
World number one Scottie Scheffler won in Georgia for the second time in three years 12 months ago, but he heads into his title defence yet to win in 2025 and looks short at the top of the market at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet.
Rory McIlroy's preparations could hardly have gone any better with two PGA Tour titles picked up already this year and he will be hoping it is 11th time lucky on his quest to complete a career Grand Slam.
Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aberg are among a stellar field that will fight it out for the Green Jacket and it promises to be an enthralling four days of action.
Garcia in line for second title
Sergio Garcia realised his Major dreams at Augusta in 2017 when overcoming Justin Rose in a play-off and the Spaniard could be ready to be a multiple winner at this course.
Having lost form and then made the decision to switch to the LIV tour, the 45-year-old has started to rebuild over the past year and he won in Hong Kong last month for his second title on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Ambitions of returning to Europe's Ryder Cup team for the event at Bethpage Black in September appear to have inspired Garcia, who is fourth in driving accuracy, fourths in greens in regulation and tied-first in scrambling on LIV this season.
His Masters record since winning may make for poor reading, with five missed cuts from his last six appearances, but he seems like a player reborn and is worth a look at big odds.
Straka to take the next step
&w=707&quality=100)
One player looking to become a Major winner this week is Austrian Sepp Straka, who would become the first golfer from his country to win one of the 'big four' events if successful.
The 31-year-old won the American Express in January for his third PGA Tour title and he has posted one top five, one top 10 and three top-15 finishes from his next seven starts.
Straka has excelled in several strokes gained categories this season, ranking in the top 10 for tee-to-green, approach and total, while he is second in greens in regulation and 15th in driving accuracy.
Taylor can shine in Georgia
Nick Taylor is aiming to become the second Canadian player to win a Major after Mike Weir's 2003 Masters success and, while he is an attractive each-way price at 150/1 with LiveScore Bet, the safer play is to go for a top-10 finish.
The 36-year-old's two trips to Augusta have produced efforts of 29th and a missed cut, but he is a more accomplished player arriving for his third crack, having landed his fifth PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in January.
Ranking ninth in strokes gained approach and fourth in greens in regulation, Taylor's approach play is on song and he could be a lively contender.
