The Masters is one of golf’s most prestigious events on the calendar, with the winner of the Major being awarded one of the most iconic pieces of apparel as part of the win: a green jacket.
Of course, there are a host of iconic and famous golfers to have been able to lay claim to the trophy and the green jacket, with men such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson just a few of the men to have been able to have had multiple successes at the world-famous Augusta golf course.
Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama won the competition last year, but what could happen in the 2022 edition of the Masters Tournament?
When will the competition take place?
The Masters is one of the sporting highlights of the entire calendar when it takes place traditionally in April, with the 2022 edition taking place over the weekend of April 7 to April 10.
As mentioned, the golf tournament will take place at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Odds?
Despite the fact that there is still some way to go, it would appear that some sportsbooks are already providing a number of odds on who could be the winner when they tee off. When looking at Unibet, Jon Rahm – who is the current world No. 1 – has been made the favorite to win and punters who feel rather confident that the Spaniard will win can look to make the most of the Bet Bonus that has been made available.
If Rahm is not fancied as the overall winner, then it would seem Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson would be the next possible candidates to potentially win a famous green jacket, although Morikawa is the only one not to have won out of those aforementioned three.
How do players qualify for The Masters?
There is still a long way to go and a number of golf events that can help players to obtain a card and qualify for the Masters, although as it stands at the moment, a total of 98 players have currently been invited to the 2022 edition of the tournament.
The 98 to have been invited also includes 14 past champions that are over the age of 50, as well as previous winners of the competition and the Major winners of the three other tournaments. Individuals who have been able to achieve this will have received a five-year exemption whilst there is a three-year exemption for those who win The Players competition.
Players who finished inside the top-12 and ties in the previous edition of the Masters will be able to return to the next year’s competition, whilst those who finish in a share of fourth or better at the three other Majors will also be allowed to compete.
PGA Tour event winners from April 2021 onwards and 30 players who reach the PGA Tour’s final competition, the Tour Championship, will also be invited, as will the world’s top 50 plates at the end of the year and those ranked in the top 50 a week before The Masters competition starts.
Moreover, there are six places up for grabs for amateur golfers, as well, with these going to players who win these competitions but do not turn professional before The Masters takes place.
Which players have qualified so far?
As to be expected, golf fans will be able to see an amazing list of golfers all compete for the first Major of the year and vie for a green jacket when they take to the Augusta National Golf Club course in April.
We have already mentioned the likes of Rahm, Morikawa, Speith and Johnson, but these world-class players will be joined by the likes of Brooks Koepka, Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIllroy.
Tiger Woods has been invited to play at the competition, although his potential appearance is doubtful at the moment as he continues to recover from the injury he sustained. His last golfing appearance was at the rescheduled Masters in November 2020.
Players that face the prospect of missing out include Jason Day, Martin Kaymer, Rickie Fowler, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, as well as former PGA champion Keegan Bradley.