Masters preview: Is it finally Rory's year?

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Happy Masters week to those who celebrate! The first (and best) golf major of the year is one of the sure signs of spring, and this year's tournament amid the blooming azaleas at Augusta National features some interesting storylines. Here's some stuff to follow as the chase for the green jacket tees off on Thursday.

Scottie Scheffler actually seems beatable.

2024 Scottie was the closest thing we've seen to prime Tiger Woods. With a new putter helping to eliminate the only weakness in his game, the ball-striking savant won nine tournaments — including his second Masters title in three years, his first Olympic gold medal and his first season-ending Tour Championship.

But then came the Christmas Day massacre. While preparing homemade ravioli (bravo) for a holiday meal, the world's No. 1 golfer sliced his right hand on a wineglass he was using to carve out his dough.

The injury was bad enough to require surgery, and Scheffler missed the first month of the season before returning at Pebble Beach in late January. Through six events, he's still looking for his first win of 2025, though he did finish in the top three at the big-money Genesis Invitational in mid-February and tied for second at last week's Houston Open.

Is this the year for Rory McIlroy?

The world's second-ranked player has won four major championships, 28 PGA Tour events and more than $100 million US in prize money during his career. And yet, the 35-year-old Northern Irishman has become the most tortured soul in golf since winning his last major in 2014.

Over the past decade, McIlroy has had 11 top-five