Who will win the 2023 Masters?

It's getting to that time of the year again when our screens are enriched with the colours of one of the most beautiful courses on Earth - Augusta National. Steeped in history, the Masters tournament is a golf event like no other.

Not only is it the only major to be played at the same venue every year, its traditions are iconic - the green jacket, Magnolia Lane, the white caddie boiler suits, the voice of Jim Nantz, the azaleas, the Champions Dinner, the patrons, Amen Corner... the list goes on.

For many, it's the greatest golf tournament on Earth and being the first major of the year just adds to the excitement in the build-up.

When is the Masters Golf Tournament 2023?

This year, the Masters will be played between Thursday 6 April to Sunday 9 April, 2023.

Who will win the 2023 Masters Golf Tournament?

Organisers at Augusta National confirmed at the end of last year that those golfers who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour and have qualified for the Masters, will be allowed to play.

So, predicting who will be donning the green jacket come Masters Sunday is still a tough one to call. However, looking at the form of some of the world's best players so far this year, we can deduce which of them has the best chance.

Scottie Scheffler - The obvious first pick goes to the current World Number 1. He clinched the Masters title last year with an emphatic three shot win and his imperious form has continued into 2023. He's already claimed two victories, one at the Phoenix Open and the other at the honourary fifth major of the year, The Players Championship. Overlook Scottie at your peril!

Jon Rahm - Rahmbo has had a storming 2023 season claiming three wins already. Out of the eight events he's played so far, he's finished outside the top 10 in only one! Already a major winner after clinching the 2021 US Open, the only thing going against Rahm is an injury he picked up during The Players Championship in early March, which forced him to withdraw from the tournament. He is back and playing again at the Dell WGC Matchplay, so if he can stay injury free he'll be a force to be reckoned with at Augusta.

Rory McIlroy - The stalwart of the PGA Tour has been an outspoken critic of LIV Golf, which has presented the Irish superstar with some distractions off the course. However, his form is trending in the right direction again. At early win on the PGA Tour came at the CJ Cup before McIlroy claimed the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour back in January. He bagged a T-2nd at Bay Hill and got off to a promising start at the Dell WGC Matchplay. The Masters is the one major still eluding Rory, 2023 could well be his year.

Jordan Spieth - The three-time major champion claimed the Masters tournament back in 2015. He set the world alight for years to follow before losing form and struggling in the doldrums. He then won again on the PGA Tour in 2021 and again in 2022 and so far in 2023, he's come agonising close to clinching his 14th win on tour. Three top six finishes in his last four starts shows the American is nearly back to his very best. Perfect timing for the Masters.

Cameron Smith - He won last year's Open Championship at St Andrews then jumped ship from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. In the two events he's played this year on the the LIV Tour he's mixed a 6th place finish along with a 26th in the 48-man events. That being said, his record at Augusta is stellar. In the six times he's played the tournament, he's had four top 10s and three top 5s. He clearly loves the course.

Tiger Woods - Yes, you read it, Tiger Woods. Lucky to be alive after a horrific car crash back in February, 2021, Tiger has continued to do what he's done throughout his career and defy the odds and the critics. He showed the world he's still got game at the Genesis Invitational back in February and considering he's won five green jackets, you can never write Tiger off at Augusta.

Max Homa - The American burst onto the scene back in 2019 claiming his maiden win on tour, since then he's gone from strength to strength. Now with six wins to his name, including two this year, Homa has bagged five top 10s already in the 2023 season. A major winner in the making, could Augusta be his first?

Dustin Johnson - With 24 PGA Tour wins, including two majors, the 2020 Masters champion has already claimed a LIV Tour victory. His 2023 season on LIV has so far been mixed with his best being a 13th place finish. However, when DJ's on form he's hard to beat. With five top 10's in his last eight starts at Augusta, if Johnson can turn up, he might just put a notch in the belt for #TeamLIV.