YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2017 MASTERS
THE FAVOURITE - Dustin Johnson: Big-hitting world No.1 Johnson comes into the Masters as the hottest golfer on the planet following three wins in as many starts in 2017, including two World Golf Champihsips events.
THE BEST AUSSIE HOPES - Jason Day, Adam Scott and March Leishman:
World No.3 Day has gone close before but his form has been patchy. However he's buoyed by latest news his mother doesn't require chemotherapy after lung cancer surgery and says his swing "feels amazing" because of it.
Scott's short game has been career-best in 2017, and the 2013 Masters winner believes he's resolved his misfiring swing.
Leishman is the form Australian in 2017, with a US PGA Tour victory, three top-10s and seven top-25s in nine events this season.
THE COURSE SPECIALIST - Jordan Spieth. The world No.6 has the best recent record in the Masters with a win and two runner-ups in three starts. He's hungry to atone for a five-shot collapse when leading on Sunday last year.
THE DEBUTANT TO WATCH - John Ram: The 22-year-old Spanish rookie won his first US tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open in January and has seven other top-10s in 21 US tour starts.
THE DARK HORSE - Matt Kuchar: The 38-year-old American is a smoky to watch after finishing in the top-10 in three of the past five Masters.
THE DEFENDING CHAMPION - Danny Willett: After captalising on Spieth's collapse to snatch victory last year Englishman Willett hasn't won since while dropping from world No.9 to 17th.
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL - Phil Mickelson: With three Masters titles, the veteran left-hander has the most of any in the field and, after three top-10s in nine events this year, he's in form to contend for a fourth.
THE MASTERS WEATHER FORECAST
Wednesday: 25C, 100 per cent chance of rain through the day with potential strong storms and 1-2 inches of rain expected, SSE 14 mph winds. Masters Par-3 Tournament predicted to be washed out.
Thursday: 15C, partly cloudy and windy, W 23 mph winds with gusts to 40 mph
Friday: 18.9C, sunny and windy, WNW 22 mph winds
Saturday: 21.7C, no rain expected and sunny, NW 8 mph winds
Sunday: 25C, sunny and no rain forecast, SE 6 mph winds
