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MoreWHO TO WATCH AT THE 2019 MASTERS
JASON DAY (AUS)
Age: 31
World ranking: 14
US PGA Tour wins: 12
Best in a major: Win (2015 PGA Championship)
Masters played: 8 (7 cuts made)
Best Masters: T2nd (2011)
Odds: $31
Why he can win: Day has an impressive six top-25s from eight Masters. Drives it long and has one of world golf's best short games.
Why he might not: Back issues. Day withdrew mid-round from the recent Palmer event and was in pain at the WGC-Match Play.
ADAM SCOTT (AUS)
Age: 38
World ranking: 29
US PGA Tour wins: 13
Best in a major: Win (2013 Masters)
Masters played: 17 (15 cuts made)
Best Masters: Win (2013)
Odds: $41
Why he can win: Improved form has Scott back in the world's top 30 and he's putting better. Has comfort level as a Masters winner.
Why he might not: Scott hasn't had a win worldwide in more than three years.
MARC LEISHMAN (AUS)
Age: 35
World ranking: 19
US PGA Tour wins: 4
Best in a major: T2nd (2015 British Open)
Masters played: 6 (3 cuts made).
Best Masters: T4th (2013)
Odds: $51
Why he can win: Leishman's driving it longer and straighter than ever, a big key to conquering Augusta.
Why he might not: Stress of breaking through for a maiden major title is even higher at the Masters.
CAMERON SMITH (AUS)
Age: 25
World ranking: 28
US PGA Tour wins: 1
Best in a major: T4th (2015 US Open)
Masters played: 2 (2 cuts made)
Best Masters: T5th (2018)
Odds: $81
Why he can win: He was an impressive fifth at Augusta last year including a Sunday 66.
Why he might not: Recent form. Smith's best finish in his past three PGA Tour starts is 56th.
RORY McILROY (NIR)
Age: 29
World ranking: 3
US PGA Tour wins: 15
Best in a major: 4 wins (2011 US Open; 2012, 2014 PGA Championship; 2014 British Open)
Masters played: 10 (9 cuts made)
Best Masters: 4th (2015)
Odds: $7.5 (favourite)
Why he can win: With a Players Championship win and top 10s in all seven starts this year, McIlroy is the hottest golfer in the field.
Why he might not: Pressure. McIlroy can become just the sixth golfer to complete a career grand slam with a Masters win.
DUSTIN JOHNSON (USA)
Age: 34
World ranking: 1
US PGA Tour wins: 20
Best in a major: Win (2016 US Open)
Masters played: 8 (7 cuts made)
Best Masters: T4th (2016)
Odds: $11
Why he can win: After some poor results, DJ seems to be figuring out Augusta and was sixth, fourth and 10th the past three years.
Why he might not: Mediocre wedge play. Although his long game and putting are elite, Augusta demands superior wedge shots.
TIGER WOODS (USA)
Age: 43
World ranking: 12
US PGA Tour wins: 80
Best in a major: 14 Wins (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Masters; 2000, 2002, 2008 US Open; 2000, 2005, 2006 British Open; 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 US PGA Championship)
Masters played: 21 (20 cuts made)
Best Masters: Win (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005)
Odds: $12
Why he can win: Because he's Tiger Woods and a four-time Masters champion. Iron play has been superb and he went deep into the recent WGC-Match Play.
Why he might not: Putting. At 78th on the PGA Tour's strokes gained putting measurement, Woods has lacked the edge he once held on the greens.
JUSTIN ROSE (ENG)
Age: 38
World ranking: 2
US PGA Tour wins: 10
Best in a Major: Win (2013 US Open)
Masters Played: 13 (13 cuts made)
Best Masters: 2nd (2015, 2017)
Odds: $15
Why he can win: With a win and two other top-10s this year, he has been in excellent form. A supremely gifted ball striker
Why he might not: Rose has faltered down the stretch in his two best chances to win the Masters (2015, 2017).
JUSTIN THOMAS (USA)
Age: 25
World ranking: 5
US PGA Tour wins: 9
Best in a Major: Win (2017 US PGA Championship)
Masters Played: 3 (3 cuts made)
Best Masters: T17th (2018)
Odds: $19
Why he can win: There are few weaknesses in Thomas' game. Has a powerful driving game and sharp iron play, both important at Augusta.
Why he might not: Thomas has started slowly in his Masters career, with a best finish of 17th.
BROOKS KOEPKA (USA)
Age: 28
World ranking: 4
US PGA Tour wins: 5
Best in a major: 3 wins (2017 US Open; 2018 US Open and US PGA Championship)
Masters played: 3 (3 cuts made)
Best Masters: T11th (2017)
Odds: $23
Why he can win: A superstar from tee to green with enormous power. Three major wins have shown he's ice cool on the big stage.
Why he might not: Recent form. Has a missed cut and two ties for 56th in his past three PGA Tour events.
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