Over the past eight Masters, Augusta National has shown a statistical correlation between players with strong rankings in greens in regulation and putts per GIR with success in the event. Tom Kim is the player whose statistical profile best fits that course statistical profile. As noted, Scheffler is right behind him. Others strong in this regard include, in order, Cameron Smith (using last yeae’s stats), Schauffele, and Cantlay.

One of the many interesting sidelights to this premier event will be the performance of the LIV tour golfers in their first appearances outside their bubble since early winter. The most successful players in the three LIV events this year include none of the six who have won a green jacket. Those players are, in order, Carlos Ortiz, Peter Uihlein, and Matthew Wolff — all three have top-10 finishes in all three events. Among those with invitations to the Tuesday Champions Dinner, Phil Mickelson has yet to finish in the top half of a LIV event this year.

From outside the top 20 players, two who come in playing fairly well are Kurt Kitayama and Ryan Fox. Kitayama was in the top 25 at Phoenix, won the Palmer, and made it to the Match Play quarterfinals. He also has missed cuts before and after the Palmer. Fox was in the top 20 at the Palmer, the top 30 at the TPC, and won twice in group play at the Match Play. He missed the cut at Texas last week.

As usual, the field is top-heavy, with all of the world top 20 in town for the event but 14 of the 89 players having no PGA, DP World, nor LIV membership.