What to know for the Masters

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The azaleas are in bloom, Tiger is on the prowl and the LIV barbarians are back inside the gate. Yes, it's time for the Masters. Here's what to know for the best golf tournament of the year:

It's Scottie Scheffler's to lose.

The world's top-ranked player is the crystal-clear favourite to win his second green jacket this week, and it's easy to see why. Statistically, Scheffler is head and shoulders above everyone else — especially from tee to green, where he's been called the best ball striker since Tiger Woods in his heyday.

Unlike peak Tiger, though, Scheffler is not a great putter. He ranks 97th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained with the flat stick. That's a big reason why the 27-year-old Texan's 2022 Masters victory remains his lone major title while Woods already owned eight at the same age.

But, when Scheffler's putting is on (or even just above average) he's extremely tough to beat. And that's been the case for the last month. In his three starts since the beginning of March, Scheffler has two victories and a runner-up finish. Both wins came against top-notch competition at the big-money Arnold Palmer Invitational and the even-bigger-money Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, where Scheffler became the first player ever to repeat as champion of the Tour's flagship event.

Other PGA Tour stars to watch include world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who still needs a green jacket to complete the career Grand Slam; No. 4 Wyndham Clark, making his Masters debut after winning his first major at last year's U.S. Open; No. 5 Xander Schauffele, still seeking his first major despite