Local golf pros share their picks for Masters glory – or heartache.

Every year Masters Week begins with an abundance of storylines, and it’s always fun to see how events play out.

Perhaps Jordan Spieth can win on Easter Sunday for the third year a row. Maybe this is the time for last year’s runnerup, Rory McIlroy, to slip his arms into a green jacket and complete the career grand slam. Or top golfer Jon Rahm could ride his hot streak into Masters history with a victory.

As for our prognosticators, we’ll see if Ira Miller, the Augusta Municipal Golf Course general manager and a newcomer to our poll last year, can repeat his performance. He correctly picked Scottie Scheffler to win the 2022 Masters Tournament, declaring, “He’s the man.”

Who will be the man this year? Our favorite golf experts have made their predictions for the 2023 Masters.

By Todd Beck

Ira Miller
General Manager, Augusta Municipal Golf Course
(Ira’s correct 2022 predictions: Masters Champion, Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut, Highest 18-Hole Score)
2023 Masters Champion: I’ll say Jon Rahm. He’s hot right now.

Dark Horse: Max Homa. Both guys are hot. They’re playing good golf.

Low Newcomer: I’m going to go with Tom Kim. He did well on the Hawaiian swing.

Low Senior: I’m going to say Bernhard Langer.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Sam Burns

Toughest Hole: No. 17

Pivotal Hole: I’m going to go with No. 15.

Highest 18-Hole Score: 84

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Tommy Brannen
Head Golf Professional, Augusta Country Club
(Tommy’s correct 2022 predictions: Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut, Toughest Hole)
2023 Masters Champion: Who would I like to see win, or who is going to win? I’d like to see Justin Thomas win. I’m going to pick him. No, I’m going to pick Jon Rahm to win.

Dark Horse: JT is my dark horse.

Low Newcomer: Tom Kim. He’s a good little player.

Low Senior: It’s probably between Freddie or Bernhard. I guess Phil is playing. I would say Phil Mickelson.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Sam Burns

Toughest Hole: Let’s stay with No. 11.

Pivotal Hole: I think it’s going to be 13.

Highest 18-Hole Score: 86

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Dan Elliott
PGA General Manager/Director of Golf, Forest Hills Golf Club
(Dan’s correct 2022 predictions: Low Newcomer, Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut, Toughest
Hole, Highest Score on One Hole)
2023 Masters Champion: Jon Rahm. He’s playing so well. He’s hot.

Dark Horse: Justin Rose. He’s playing well, and he plays well there.

Low Newcomer: That’s a tough one. It’ll probably be between Sahith Theegala and Tom Kim. I’m going to go with Theegala.

Low Senior: Bernhard Langer

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Sam Burns

Toughest Hole: That’s going to be hard. They’ve made some changes. No. 11.

Pivotal Hole: No. 13

Highest 18-Hole Score: 81

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Spike Kelley
General Manager and Golf Professional, Goshen Plantation
(Spike’s correct 2022 predictions: Toughest Hole, Highest Score on One Hole)
2023 Masters Champion: Rory McIlroy. He hasn’t won yet, and I pick him every year.

Dark Horse: Max Homa. He’s been playing really well. He’s a good player.

Low Newcomer: Tom Kim

Low Senior: Vijay Singh

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Sam Burns

Toughest Hole: I’m going to say No. 11.

Pivotal Hole: No. 12

Highest 18-Hole Score: 84

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Tyler Powers
Golf Shop Manager, Hickory Knob State Park Golf Course
(This is Tyler’s first year participating in our poll)
2023 Masters Champion: I think Jon Rahm’s looking really good.

Dark Horse: I’ve always wanted Rory McIlroy to win it.

Low Newcomer: Let’s go with Tom Kim.

Low Senior: I really want Freddie Couples to do it. I like Freddie. Personal bias.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: How about Viktor Hovland. Maybe. Who knows?

Toughest Hole: It’s going to be in Amen Corner. No. 13.

Pivotal Hole: No. 16

Highest 18-Hole Score: 86

Highest Score on One Hole: 8

Chris Verdery
Director of Golf, The River Golf Club
(Chris needs a mulligan on his 2022 predictions.)
2023 Masters Champion: Jon Rahm. He’s on top of his game.

Dark Horse: Sungjae Im

Low Newcomer: I’ll go with Sahith Theegala.

Low Senior: I guess I’ll say Phil Mickelson.

Highest-Ranked Player to Miss the Cut: Let’s say Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Toughest Hole: I’m going to say No. 11.

Pivotal Hole: No. 15

Highest 18-Hole Score: 83

Highest Score on One Hole: 9