Dustin Johnson starts the 81st US Masters on Thursday as the favourite. Here are five players who could stop the American becoming the first world No 1 since 2005 to win the green jacket. Click or swipe through for more
Rory McIlroy
When firing on all cylinders, few can live with the world No 2 Northern Irishman. Has has an injury-disrupted season so far but three successive top 10 Masters finishes shows McIlroy knows how to score at Augusta. In good form with a tied-fourth and tied-seventh in two of his last three events. If the putter behaves, he can claim the coveted career grand slam.
Jordan Spieth
Much has been made of his back nine meltdown in 2016, but that will be of little relevance. The world No 6 American makes Augusta look easy. He is solid off the tee, leads the PGA Tour in Approach the Green stats and is immense with the putter. Not exactly in imperious form but two runner-up finishes and one title in the past three Masters is remarkable. Spieth cannot be ignored.
Hideki Matsuyama
The Japanese world No 4 started the season with two titles and two runner-up finishes in his first four events. Results have been mixed since but he remains arguably the finest iron player in the world. Fifth in 2015 and tied-seventh last year, Matsuyama has contended at the Masters. His putter can go cold at key times, but if he can keep the short stick warm, he will fancy his chances.
Justin Thomas
Another player enjoying his season, Thomas has three titles and has surged to world No 7. Granted, three missed cuts in his last six starts is a concern, but tied-fifth at WGC-Mexico showed glimmers of that ominous early form. Has the all-round game to mix it with the very best.
Jon Rahm
Only one player, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, has won the Masters on debut but there is a real buzz around Rahm. The Spaniard is, apart from Johnson, the form player at the moment and ran Johnson close in last week’s WGC Match Play final. Has shown he can perform on the big occasions.
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