5 things to look out for at the 2023 Masters

AUGUSTA: The second week of April is sacrosanct in the calendar of every golfer. As the azaleas and the dogwoods reach their full bloom around the hallowed turf of Augusta National Golf Club, it signals the start of spring in the US as well as the start of the Major season.

The Alister MacKenzie-designed course, with inputs from Bobby Jones — one of the most cerebral and celebrated golfers in the history of the game — poses the most devious questions to the elite field that has gathered for the 87th Masters. As is often said, it is a tradition like no other, and as it has done over the years, it will ordain the worthiest, the most prepared and the most resilient golfer come Sunday.

With prize money going through the roof on the PGA Tour and LIV Tour, the Masters champion may not walk away with the biggest cheque in the sport, but then you cannot put a dollar value on the presence of a Green Jacket in the wardrobe.

There are various compelling storylines heading into the Masters this week, but here are five that should keep you glued to your devices.

The return of Tiger

There is this phenomenon at Augusta National called the “The Masters’ Roar.” It is a collective exultation of nearly 50,000 patrons, which funnels through the pine trees and reverberates around the golf course.

There is “The Masters’ Roar,” and then there is its elevated version — “The Tiger Roar.” Whatever the four-time champion Tiger Woods does, it just amplifies the decibel level.

As Tiger sighting becomes rare these days — following his accident and multiple surgeries on his back and knees — the Masters will only be his fourth competitive appearance since last year, where he heroically made the cut in his return to action 14 months after the