Masters 2024: SB Nation’s 3 Bold Predictions for Augusta National

The 2024 Masters Tournament is one of the most anticipated events each year. This year is no exception. Rather, the growing excitement is at its peak as the world’s best players will once again be playing on the same course at the same time.

Thirteen members of LIV Golf are coming to Augusta National. Seven of his players have previously won the Green Jacket.

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, the shiny toy Scotty Scheffler is currently playing with.

Scheffler won both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship back-to-back. Then, at the Houston Open, he missed a short putt and was forced into a playoff, but was on the verge of winning his third consecutive PGA Tour tournament.

But he’s not the only threat from the tour to win at Augusta National.

Xander Schauffele has been playing very well this year. So did reigning U.S. Open champion Windham Clark, who finished runner-up to Scheffler at Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass.

With so many stories unfolding, SB Nation has revealed three bold predictions for the 2024 Masters.

Masters 2024: 3 bold predictions

PGA Tour star falls flat at Augusta National

There are many ways to analyze the Masters each year in terms of predicting who will perform well.

One of them is always experience. As we’ve seen every year, newcomers to Augusta National have a very difficult time lapping the track for the first time. There are so many nuances to this course that until you understand it better, it’s hard to come up with the type shot you need to create Sunday magic.

It’s not just great shots that win here, but precise mistakes. You absolutely need to know where to miss in Augusta. Otherwise, you have no chance.

Clark is playing great right now, which is great, but it’s his first time here on Sunday and I don’t see him getting into contention.

Another important element to look at is the form. How well have the players been playing this week?

Now, Rory McIlroy is completely breaking with his tradition of taking the week off to compete in the Valero Texas Open. McIlroy recently visited his swing coach, Butch Harmon, and admitted his swing wasn’t in great shape.

He hasn’t finished in the top 10 yet this year, and I don’t think he’ll win a Grand Slam at his current form.

Coming off the 2023 Tour Championship, Viktor Hovland didn’t have a great start to the 2024 season.

Max Homa and Brian Herman also had lackluster starts to the year.

I say “almost” because world number one Schaeffler is on fire. He should definitely be in the squad on Sunday.

But I don’t see it that way for most of the remaining stars on the PGA Tour.

LIV golfer makes a statement again

Last year, LIV Golf Tour members placed 2nd, 2nd and 4th. The winner was, of course, Jon Rahm. The Spaniard then set out in December to take part in a rival circuit with his green jacket.

Brooks Koepka is known as an absolute killer on the golf course. You know, it’s been eating at him mentally ever since he flinched at Rahm late Sunday in 2023. He will be there until the end.

Set number: X164335 TK8

The same goes for Joaquin Niemann. The Chilean pro may be the only player on the planet currently playing as well as Scheffler.

Niemann recently scored 59 and has already won some titles in 2024. He also had a good finish at last year’s Masters, finishing T16th. So he has the experience, the pedigree and the current form to fight.

Additionally, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel have also won here. It’s hard to overlook that fact.

Tiger Woods makes history by missing the cut at the Masters

At first glance, one might think that this is not a bold prediction. After all, Woods is 48 years old and has been plagued by a number of troubling injuries in recent years.

However, Woods has played in the Masters for an astounding 23 consecutive years. This is the all-time record, tied with Fred Couples and Gary Player. He knows this course inside and out and has played it beautifully many times.

Photo credit: Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images

Some of the aforementioned injuries led to his withdrawal from events in recent years. But he’s actually healthy now. I don’t think that will be his fate this time.

I agree that Tiger Woods should never be counted out. But at this point, we don’t physically know if he can do it anymore.

Sadly, an early exit is expected for the five-time Masters champion.

Kendall Capps is the senior editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social media platforms.