Rory Eyes the Grand Slam as Augusta Awaits Masters Magic
Alright, it’s that time of year again—Azaleas blooming, pimento cheese sandwiches selling out, and golf’s biggest legends gathering at Augusta National. The 2025 Masters is upon us, and while the scenery at Augusta feels timeless, the storylines unfolding this year have a fresh twist with a familiar edge. Let’s talk about what’s heating up as we head into one of the most anticipated weekends in golf.
At the very top of everyone’s mind? Rory McIlroy. Yep, again. The man’s been chasing that elusive green jacket for over a decade now. It’s his 11th attempt at completing the career Grand Slam, and this year, it doesn’t just feel possible—it feels probable. McIlroy’s in absolutely scorching form. He kicked off the season with a win at Pebble Beach and followed that up with a second Players Championship victory. Statistically, he’s leading the tour in strokes gained overall and off the tee, and he’s second in tee-to-green. Even his putter, once his Achilles’ heel, has become a real weapon. If there’s ever been a year where Rory could finally do it, this is the one. No one’s suggesting it’ll be easy—it’s Augusta, after all—but the stars feel aligned like never before.
But Rory isn’t the only player with history in sight. Xander Schauffele is flying under the radar a bit, but don’t sleep on him. He’s coming off an injury, sure, but if he wins this week, he’ll be holding three major titles at once. That’s Tiger-level stuff, and the only others who’ve done that in the modern era? Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. Talk about rare air.
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Then there’s Scottie Scheffler—defending champ and World No. 1. If he wins again, that’ll be three green jackets in four years. Only Jack Nicklaus has pulled that off. Scheffler hasn’t won yet this season, but we’ve seen him do more with less momentum before. Augusta just seems to bring out the best in him.
Let’s not forget the rest of the field either. Ludvig Åberg could easily be the breakout star—he nearly won last year and already claimed a big victory this season. And then there’s Collin Morikawa, who’s winless on U.S. soil for over 1,500 days but still consistently contending. He’s finished top 10 in the last three Masters and is leading the Tour in strokes gained on approach. His confidence is back, even if his media charm isn’t quite as polished.
And, of course, the LIV Golf contingent is still in the mix, albeit with a little less drama than in recent years. With 12 LIV players in the field, including past champions like Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson, there's still plenty of intrigue. Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka will be lurking as serious threats too.
One interesting wrinkle this year is the course itself. Augusta National quietly underwent some reconstruction after Hurricane Helene rolled through last year, affecting trees, greens, and fairways. It’ll look as pristine as ever, but players will be facing some unfamiliar sightlines and conditions.
All eyes are on Augusta, and rightly so. Whether it’s Rory finally sealing the Slam, Scottie chasing history, or someone new carving their name into Masters lore, this year feels like it could deliver something truly unforgettable.
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