\n<\/p>\n
Xander Schauffele<\/b> may not have played much this year because of a rib injury, but it still would be difficult to count out a player who won two majors last year.<\/p>\n
The American has also clocked up four top-10 finishes in his previous six Masters.<\/p>\n
Collin Morikawa,<\/b> ranked one place below Schauffele at fourth in the world, also enjoys Augusta.<\/p>\n
The US Ryder Cup player has secured three top-10s in his past three starts, while he leads the PGA Tour this season in terms of strokes gained from tee to green.<\/p>\n
Twelve months ago, Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg<\/b> finished second behind Scheffler – falling short of becoming the third man in history to win on his debut.<\/p>\n
Aberg, 25, holed four birdies in his final six holes to win the Genesis Invitational in February, but has missed the cut at his past two events.<\/p>\n
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama,<\/b> another former champion, Russell Henley<\/b> of the United States, Norway’s Viktor Hovland<\/b> and American 2023 Open champion Brian Harman<\/b> all arrive with PGA Tour titles under their belts this year.<\/p>\n
And who else is spearheading the LIV challenge? <\/p>\n
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann<\/b> is the leading golfer on the Saudi-backed breakaway tour this season, while American pair Bryson DeChambeau<\/b> and Brooks Koepka<\/b> – both multiple major winners – can never be discounted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n