DUSTIN JOHNSON

The World No.1 has been a Masters regular since 2009, and has been playing the Augusta National course even longer having grown up down the road in Columbia, South Carolina.

Every year he’s among the favourites to win based on the incredible power hitting that could potentially reduce Augusta National to a drive and pitch layout for him. But every year his form seemingly dips a little when he heads down Magnolia Lane.

Last year, it appeared the stars had aligned for Johnson as he arrived in Augusta with three victories in the preceding six weeks. But he infamously fell down a small flight of stairs in his Augusta rental home and had to withdraw from the tournament just minutes before his first round tee time.

But, as was the case last year, he is finding form just at the right time. He opened the year with a victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and, at the time of writing, had two further top-10 finishes including a runner-up placing at Pebble Beach.

On current form he is certainly one of the players to watch at Augusta, despite his Masters record being less than impressive for a player of his calibre. That said, his past two Masters starts have yielded top-10 finishes.

“This year, I feel like I’m coming in with a pretty solid game. I feel like every part of my game is improving. I felt like I’ve got a lot of confidence in every part of my game right now, especially with my wedges,” Johnson said. “I think that’s something that’s going to help me around Augusta.

WHY HE CAN WIN: Johnson’s big-hitting game is tailor-made for Augusta, where there is enough width for him to really attack the course from the tee and leave short irons into most greens. But, ultimately, it will be his much-improved wedge play and short game that will win him a green jacket, not his driver.