Who can conquer Augusta in November?

By Alistair June 3, 2020 18:17

Augusta National Golf Course is one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. We are used to seeing the Georgia course in April, at the height of spring, however, the 2020 US Masters is set to take place in November.

Some pundits believe that conditions are going to be tougher in November for the players. The weather is sure to be much colder, while the greens are likely to run differently.

Here is a look at three players who stand a great chance of getting the better of the conditions later this year and sealing the Green Jacket.

Rory McIlroy

World number one Rory McIlroy has played some excellent golf in 2020. The switch to November is unlikely to phase the Northern Irishman in any way.

The US Masters has that extra significance for McIlroy as he needs to win the Major Championship to complete the Career Grand Slam in the sport.

McIlroy has had some close finishes at Augusta as he has been inside the top 10 on five occasions. His best result so far came in 2015 when he was fourth in the year Jordan Spieth was successful.

McIlroy is the 7/1 favourite in the golf betting for the 2020 US Masters. He is the man to beat at the moment on the PGA Tour and this is unlikely to change in November.

Jon Rahm

Augusta is a golf course which often suits the big hitters in the sport, in particular on the par-five holes where eagles are very gettable.

Spaniard Jon Rahm is one of the biggest hitters off the tee in golf today. The three-time PGA Tour winner is much more than an aggressive player from the tee though. He has developed his game over the last two years and as a result, he is now up to number two in the world rankings.

Rahm is still waiting for his maiden Major Championship and it is likely to come in the near future. He has finished fourth and ninth respectively on his last two visits to Augusta so this US Masters may be his best chance of the big four events.

The slower conditions should not be a problem for Rahm. A lot of the success in his career has come in November and December so the switch in date might just favour the 25-year-old.

Brooks Koepka

There hasn’t been a more consistent player in the Major Championships over the last two years than Brooks Koepka. The American has won four times (two US Opens and two US PGA Championships) and finished in the top five at all four Major Championships in 2019.

Koepka came close to his first Green Jacket in 2019 as he was just one shot away from Tiger Woods at the end of 72 holes. He shot a round of 66 on day one to share the lead alongside Bryson DeChambeau and then played consistently well over the next three days.

The way he is able to go up a level at the big events makes Koepka one of the leading contenders for the 2020 US Masters and other Major Championships over the next 12 months.

It’s a tournament we are all going to look forward to on 12-15 November and one which is unlikely to disappoint.