Autumn welcomes long-awaited Masters Tournament

Usually, the first full week of April opens to a global stage, unique to golf and sport. Through a challenging course of 72 holes, over four days, the smallest field in major champion golf competes for a chance to win the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.

This year, due to unprecedented circumstances, one of the world’s most prestigious golfing events will be hosted seven months later than originally anticipated. Our renowned iconic sports stars will take to the Augusta golf course on November 12th, as they attempt to emulate Tiger Woods, current defending champion following his epic performance in 2019.

First played in 1934, the annual event was devised by Bobby Jones, legendary amateur golfing champion, and Clifford Roberts, American investment dealer and golf administrator. Throughout the last eight decades, the tournament has seen many golfing heroes rise to sporting stardom, including multi-reigning champions Jack Nicklaus (sixth-time winner of the Masters) and Tiger Woods, who is now just one win short of his precursor.

This month, Woods returns to the most famous and exclusive golf club in the world, ready to compete against Graeme McDowell, Collin Morikawa, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Scottie Scheffler, to name just a few. During what will be the 84th edition of the Masters Tournament, avid fans and keen critics will sit eagerly, anticipating the results of a much-awaited game. As bets are placed on the firm favourites set to triumph through the tournament, professional golfers from across the world will come together to prepare for what could potentially be one of the most momentous and memorable moments of their sporting career.

This year’s tournament promises exceptional sporting talent, as it welcomes players who have become eligible through their accomplishment of tough qualifications standards.

Those who have successfully squeezed inside of the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings as of March 30th, will have been automatically invited to compete. For McDowell, this was a sweet moment of glory as he just about made the cut-off requirement for entry. Deadline looming, he catapulted from no. 51 to no. 49 during the final week of rankings and will now create a wave of pride throughout his hometown in Northern Ireland, as he takes to tee off on November 12th.

Scheffler, also due to compete at this year’s Masters, has been flirting with the top 50 ever since finishing third at the American express. He finally secured a place at the tournament after his breakthrough with a T-15 at API. The American golfer is now ready to take on his next big challenge and attempt his fate against some of the world’s most elite golfing professionals. Dustin Johnson, Fred Couples, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson are also all primed to perform at this year’s event.

Held behind closed doors for the first time in decades, this year, the Masters will not be open for public spectators due to strict COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, fans can expect to experience the live tournament from their own home comforts, with Sky Sports Golf airing the live event in high definition. Sky’s live stream will showcase the most epic moments in golfing history as they begin to unfold on the world’s most prestigious golf course. For those keen to digest just a snippet of the action, highlights are expected to broadcast on BBC2 and can be enjoyed with a warm cup of tee! (We couldn’t resist!)

Though who will reign champion at this year’s Masters event and who will fall short of taking home the iconic Green Jacket? With just two days left until our favourite golfers take to Augusta, we won’t be waiting long to find out.