2020 Masters: Top 10 power rankings at Augusta National

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For the first time in 84 playings, the Masters will be held in November

It took nearly 19 months to get to this point, but it’s finally here: the 2020 Masters Tournament.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was moved from its traditional April slot on the schedule to here in November. No patrons are allowed on the premises per usual since golf resumed in June, sans the Bermuda Championship and Houston Open the last two weeks.

We won’t get the same spring sights we’re used to (sorry azalea fans), but the rare views of the fall foliage should make up for it.

When the November date was announced, some worried about how cold it might get. The forecast shows it’ll plenty warm with temperatures in the 60s-80s. However, it will be wet. Rain and storms are possible Tuesday-Sunday with mid-week looking the worst.

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Augusta National has sub-air greens and excellent drainage, but it could still play soft if this forecast is true. Plus, with limited daylight, any sort of weather delays could push the finale to Monday.

As we all know, the Masters is the only of the four majors that returns to the same course annually. That gives us immense course history to work with compared to majors.

Course knowledge is critical at this event, which hasn’t had someone win in his first appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

There are some candidates in this year’s field to end that streak, particularly a couple guys I’ve got in my power rankings this week.

Augusta National is a par 72 measuring 7,475 yards. The famed Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie design opened in 1932 and hosted its first Masters in 1934.

Fairways are ryegrass and greens bentgrass. The fairways are treelined, though a lack of rough can allow for some creative recovery shots.

Augusta National’s main defense is slope all throughout the course. Rarely do players have flat lies on approach and positioning your ball on and around the greens is crucial.

Strong iron play can allow players to post low scores here. Get a little wayward and you’re battling to get up and down to save par.

Talented putters are also rewarded. There are few straight putts, making green reading essential. Green books are not allowed, either, making course knowledge even more important.

The four par-5s in this day and age are all reachable. The famed 13th hole has been reduced to driver/short iron for many players.

The field is at 93 players vying to make the 36-hole cut of top-50 and ties. The 10-stroke rule was eliminated starting this year. The field was locked in in March, meaning there are some notable absences. Based on the Official World Golf Rankings, they include No. 13 Danel Berger, No. 23 Viktor Hovland, No. 31 Ryan Palmer, No. 35 Harris English and No. 51 Kevin Streelman.

No. 40 Sergio Garcia and No. 42 Joaquin Niemann had to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test last week.

With the cancelation of the 2020 Open Championship, the third of three majors this year has arrived. Let’s dig into the 10 players with the best chance to don a green jacket Sunday night:

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