golf
Green whispers: The most important protagonists at the Masters
Superstar Tiger Woods during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. photo
© George Walker IV/AP/dpa
The Masters is the highlight of the golf professionals’ calendar. Also for superstar Tiger Woods. Two German professionals are also on site in Augusta.
It is the most important golf tournament in the world: the Masters. As of today, 89 players are competing for superstardom Tiger Woods is once again hunting for the legendary green winner’s jacket.
There are also two German golfers at the Augusta National Golf Club – one active, one passive. The main protagonists at the 88th edition of the prestigious major tournament are:
Tiger Woods
The Masters wouldn’t be the Masters without the superstar – no matter what physical condition the now 48-year-old Californian is in. Everything revolves around the charismatic 15-time major winner. Despite his long suffering, Woods is ambitious and dreams of his sixth Masters title: “If everything comes together, I hope I can win another one.”
However, Woods is not among the favorites after his numerous injuries. The long-standing world number one broke his right leg several times in a serious car accident in February 2021. Since then, Woods has only competed in a few select tournaments. Since his first win in 1997, Woods has never missed the cut at the Masters. If he manages to reach the two rounds on the weekend for the 24th time in a row this year, he would alone hold the record.
Jon Rahm and the LIV boys
The Spaniard is creating a novelty at the Masters: For the first time, a defending champion who is not currently earning his money on the US tour is teeing off in Augusta. Rahm switched to the LIV tour financed by Saudi Arabia last year for a sum in the high three-digit million range. The 29-year-old Basque is one of 13 LIV professionals competing at this year’s Masters. Among them are also former Masters champions Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed (all USA), Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Charl Schwartzel (South Africa).
Scottie Scheffler
The only way to the Green Jacket is to be number one in the world. Scheffler is currently the dominant player in the golf scene. The 27-year-old US star has already triumphed at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship this year and has already collected over eleven million US dollars in prize money from his eight starts this season.
Rory McIlroy
The star from Northern Ireland is still missing the Masters title from his collection. The 34-year-old from Holywood has already won all the other majors, the British Open, the US Open and the PGA Championship. With a win in Augusta he could complete the career Grand Slam.
Stephan Jäger
The 34-year-old Munich native’s dream came true with his debut at the Masters. The German, who lives in the USA, qualified for the major tournament in Augusta with his debut victory on the PGA Tour in Houston at the beginning of April. Jäger climbs to this new career level with confidence. Given his current strong form, he believes a win on Sunday is entirely possible.
Bernhard Langer
The rupture of the left Achilles tendon prevented Langer’s 41st start at the Masters. Germany’s golf idol actually wanted to celebrate his sporting farewell at the Augusta National Golf Club this year, but that has now been postponed for twelve months. “I plan to play the Masters in 2025. I would like to say goodbye to the Masters stage and enjoy the unique atmosphere one last time as a player,” said Langer in a statement from his sponsor Mercedes-Benz.
As Masters champion, he has a lifetime right to compete in the tournament. Despite the injury, the Masters winner from 1985 and 1993 is also in Augusta this year. He enjoyed the Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening with the former Masters winners. In the tradition, which is over 70 years old, the previous year’s winner has a feast served before the Masters. This year, Jon Rahm invited guests to Basque delicacies.