Tour Confidential: Is Bryson the Masters favorite? Will Tiger play?

Bryson DeChambeau has won back-to-back LIV events heading into the Masters. Getty Images Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com . This week, we discuss Bryson DeChambeau’s chances to claim a green jacket, Tiger Woods’ health and more.

Bryson DeChambeau beat Jon Rahm in a playoff to win LIV Golf South Africa and claim his second straight LIV victory in what was the league’s final tune-up before the first major of the year. With the way DeChambeau has played the last two weeks, has he taken away the title as Masters favorite? Or does that still belong to Scottie or Rory?

Zephyr Melton, associate game-improvement editor ( @zephyrmelton ): Considering Scottie’s early-season slump and Rory’s uncertain health, I think it’s fair to say that Bryson is the early favorite at Augusta. However, if he doesn’t control his distances with his irons well (which has plagued him in recent years at the Masters), I fear his chances to claim a green jacket are slim. Dylan Dethier, senior writer ( @dylan_dethier ): It’s gotta be Scottie still; his demise is greatly exaggerated.

But the fact that DeChambeau is in the middle of this conversation now is significant — and fun. Add in a few other stars ramping up with top-tier golf (Xander, Rahm, Fitz) and there should be plenty to talk about pre-Augusta. Josh Berhow, managing editor ( @Josh_Berhow ): Vegas won’t call anyone but Scottie the favorite, and as Dylan says, Scheffler’s “slump” has consisted of three top-25 finishes that followed two top-fives and a win.