1 CAN HIDEKI GO BACK-TO-BACK?
Only three defending O champions - Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods - have gone back-to-back, but Hideki Matsuyama has quietly evolved into something of an Augusta specialist with three top 10s and no missed cuts since 2016. He's always been a confidence player and, given he's won twice on the PGA Tour since October, you can easily put forward a strong case for Matsuyama doing it all over again in April. The counterargument is that he won't be able to avoid the frenzied media circus that often comes with shouldering the hopes of a golf-obsessed nation on the biggest stage. Last year the pandemic kept all but a few Japanese reporters from following his every move at Augusta National - something the publicity-shy Matsuyama admitted was a big stress reliever - but it's unlikely he'll be afforded the same level of freedom in April. Besides, others before him have struggled with the weight of the Green Jacket, so it wouldn't surprise us if he became the fourth defending champion in the last six years to make an early exit. After all, only four of the past 20 winners have finished in the top 10 the following year.
2 WILL YOU-KNOW-WHO MAKE AN APPEARANCE?
Trying to predict Tiger's next move is almost as hard as holing a four-footer on the last without shaking. One man who does operate in Tiger's circle is 11-time Tour winner John Cook, who told the Golf Channel that he doesn't expect to see Tiger play again until the PNC Championship in December. In truth, we can't see the 46-year-old passing up the chance to play the 150th Open at St Andrew's - even if only half-fit - but if Augusta does come too early, one fan will be seriously out of pocket. According to SuperBook Nevada, one punter placed a $1,046 wager at 100-1 odds for Tiger to win the 2022 Masters.
Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra April 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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PLAYING ALONG THE LINES
ClearPath Alignment now adorns the latest TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x Stripe golf balls.
NG CONTINUES TO BLAZE A TRAIL
Sydnie Ng's victory in the Singapore Junior Masters B Division Girls boosts her potential.
DESCENTE ON THE ASCENT
Descente and FILA Golf gives the renovated The Shop at Laguna National Golf Resort Club a trendy boost.
DIVINE PLEASURES FOR A CAUSE
Christian media ministry TWR Asia finds charitable connections through golf.
TO "D" OR NOT TO "D"?
If you chose “D”, you are right and you would be joining millions of people around the world who are choosing “D” as the one necessary supplement they must include in their daily diet.
QUOTIDIAN LUXURY
Audi's new Q4 e-tron offers everyday comfort and performance through sustainable rides.
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
Join us as we take a front row seat at Le Mans, one of the greatest races in the world, followed by an exclusive tour of Ferrari's automated factory in Maranello, Italy.
CELEBRATING THE MODERN WOMAN
Patek Philippe's Twenty-4 collection has come a long way since its inception at the turn of the millennium, and this year's anniversary edition is a sign of the times.
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP
Dragon Golf International offers its members in Singapore with access to top courses around the world. Founder and Managing Director Neil Douglas talks about why it may be the answer to the future of golf travel.
THE LURE OF THE LAKESIDE
Banyan Group's massive new undertaking in Phuket rides on soaring international demand for homes on the island