ABRAHAM ANCER
Masters starts: 3
Best result: T13 (2020)
2023 LIV Golf League results: (T15/Mayakoba, T20/Tucson, T26/Orlando)
Outlook: Ancer won the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers in early February but has since cooled off since the LIV Golf League season began. One of his biggest strengths is hitting fairways – he ranks second in 2023 at 76.19% – but that pays little dividends at Augusta National.
Masters stat: Ancer has birdied the par-3 16th hole five times in 10 career rounds.
Ancer says: “I don’t feel out of form. I didn’t play my best in the last two events, but I think that was just more mental errors, not the game itself. So I feel like I’ve got to be in a good spot mentally here to do that, obviously to perform. But the game itself feels really nice.”
BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU
Masters starts: 6
Best result: T21 (2016)
2023 LIV Golf League results: (T23/Mayakoba, T44/Tucson, T16/Orlando)
Outlook: One of golf’s longest hitters, the Crushers GC captain - whose team won its first title to start the year in Mayakoba – has yet to get untracked in 2023. Putting has been a problem, as he ranks among the bottom five in putting average. DeChambeau’s best performance at Augusta National remains his first start when he took low amateur honors in 2016.
Masters stat: DeChambeau led the field in driving distance in 2020 (324.4-yard average) and was second in 2021 (323.6).
Says DeChambeau: “Last week [in Orlando] was very nice, I was progressing every single day and I felt like my putting was in a good spot, chipping was in a good spot, driving was in a good spot. I’m excited for this week.”
SERGIO GARCIA
Masters starts: 23
Best result: Win (2017)
2023 LIV Golf League results: (T23/Mayakoba, T6/Tucson, 45/Orlando)
Outlook: The Fireballs GC captain broke through with his first major win at the 2017 Masters but missed the cut in his next three starts at Augusta National before finishing T23 last year. This year, he’s posted top 10s on the Asian Tour as well as the LIV Golf League’s tournament in Tucson. He ranks in the middle of the pack in all major statistical categories in 2023.
Masters stat: Garcia has ranked second in the field in GIR each of the last two times he’s made the cut.
Garcia says: “The game feels good. I’m obviously working on some things. This week obviously is going to be a good test, like every major and every Masters is. I like a lot some of the things I’m doing. It’s just a matter of hopefully building some good momentum.”
TALOR GOOCH
Masters starts: 1
Best result: T14 (2022)
2023 LIV Golf League results: (T11/Mayakoba, T13/Tucson, T16/Orlando)
Outlook: Gooch started the LIV Golf League season with two strong rounds and was the 36-hole co-leader in Mayakoba. He struggled on the final day but bounced back with six consecutive under-par rounds in the next two tournaments to re-establish his consistency. He ranks inside the top 15 in fairways hit, GIR and scrambling this season.
Masters stat: Gooch is 7 under on the front nine at Augusta National but 9 over on the back nine.