The Masters: Why in-form Matt Fitzpatrick’s game puts him among Augusta favourites

With Scheffler’s erratic recent form, his extraordinarily high standards and McIlroy struggling to match the golf standards of this time last year, there is an opportunity to look beyond the world’s two best players for Augusta glory.

Fitzpatrick, currently ranked sixth, undoubtedly falls into this category, as does Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, last year’s Masters play-off runner-up Justin Rose and FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood (fourth in the Players’ standings).

But amid justified optimism that the famous Green Jacket may remain in British hands, it would be foolish to ignore what is happening at the departing LIV Tour.

Bryson DeChambeau will head to the Masters by making the playoffs in his final two matches before the opening major of the year. The big-hitting American beat Rahm in the clash in South Africa a week after claiming victory in Singapore.

The change from 54 holes to 72 holes favored the top players at LIV; Hong Kong’s reigning winner, Rahm, has finished in the top two in all but one of his five tournaments to date.

Yes, LIV doesn’t have the same depth of field, but Data Golf, which calculates figures from all rounds, puts the Spaniard second to Scheffler in the global rankings.

Although Rahm has dropped his appeal against the DP World Tour’s sanctions, the European tour remains locked in a stalemate that threatens future Ryder Cup appearances.

But the ongoing controversy is unlikely to put off the 31-year-old Basque, who is a must-watch when the Masters kicks off on April 9.

How tempting that most of the other threats are Ryder Cup teammates McIlroy, Fleetwood, MacIntyre or Rose, as well as Ludvig Aberg. And of course, Fitzpatrick, who has already brightened his year in style with his Valspar win.

“I want to make sure I’m ready when I get to Augusta,” Fitzpatrick said. “To be ready to play on Thursday morning and be in the best shape possible.”