Preview: The Masters 2022 | Desirable Golf Blog

When is it?

7th - 10th April 2022

Where is it?

Augusta National, 2604 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30904, USA Augusta National golf course

Possibly the most famous course in golf. Augusta National was designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie and opened in 1932, with the first annual Masters Tournament coming two years later. Set in a 365 acre former plantation nursery (each hole is suitably named after the plant/shrub which it is associated with), it was Jones's aim to create a world-class golf course ideally suited for winter golf.

Seen as the season opener in Major golf, the event is host to some of golf's greatest moments. Sporting the smallest field in major championship golf, the world's greatest players compete for the illusive Green Jacket prize, and their share of the $11.5 million prize purse, with just over $2 million going to the eventual winner.

2022 will see two changes to the golf course with both the par-4 11th and par 5 15th being lengthened. 15 yards have been added to the 11th, taking it to a whopping 520 yards long, and the 15th finds itself 20 yards longer and up to a total 550 yards long.

Will he or won't he?

That is the big question on everyone's lips and it can only be about one man. The legendary Tiger Woods. We are still awaiting official confirmation of Tiger's return from his horror car accident in February 2021, however, as of the morning of Wednesday 6th April, Tiger is set to make his return to the golfing world and begin his quest to win a record-equalling sixth Masters title.

Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama is also a doubt for this year's tournament, having withdrawn from The Players Championship with a back injury, all but a few weeks previous.

Tiger Woods preparing for the 2022 Masters Tournament with his caddie

Winning Mentality

2021 saw Hideki Matsuyama claim the spoils, ten years after claiming the Low Amateur title at the 2011 Masters Tournament. Holding off late challenges from Jon Rahm and Masters rookie Will Zalatoris, Matsuyama finished off his Sunday with a 73 (+1), and a 278 total (-10) to win by one and become Japan's first male Major Champion.

Hideki Matsuyama: “When the final putt went in, I really wasn't thinking of anything. But when I saw my caddie, Shota, and hugged him, I was happy for him because this is his first victory on the bag. And then it started sinking in, the joy of being a Masters champion.”

2022 will see Rory McIlroy taking his eighth attempt to complete the illusive Grand Slam of golf majors and take home the Green Jacket. World number one Scottie Scheffler will be looking to maintain his incredible form following victories at the WM Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational and WGC Dell-Technologies Match Play, to claim his first taste of Major victory.

Hideki Matsuyama celebrates his 2021 Masters victory with Dustin Johnson

Par 3 Contest

Out of all of the traditions held at the Masters Tournament, none of them are more endearing than the annual Par 3 Contest. Held on the Wednesday prior to the first round, this family event sees everything from wives and girlfriends, children and grand-children, all outfitted in the iconic white boiler playing caddy to the stars.

The short 9 hole layout provides much needed stress relief, with holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards long, and sporting 94 holes-in-one made over the years.

Famously, no winner of the Par 3 Contest has ever gone on to win the Masters Tournament in the same year, instead leaving it as somewhat of a superstitious omen to those crowned the victor.

Paul Casey and family take part in the Masters Par 3 Contest

Where To Watch?

UK viewers will be able to tune into Sky Sports Golf from 7:00pm BST on Wednesday 5th April for live coverage of the Par 3 Contest.

Viewers can choose between Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf from 2:00pm BST Thursday 6th April for complete round-the-clock coverage of the main event, live from Augusta National.