Can Rickie Fowler pip Rory McIlroy to the US Masters?

Rickie Fowler was in inspired form last year with three runner-up finishes in separate majors, and will be hoping to clinch his first major win if he can see off stiff competition from Rory McIlroy and co.

Fowler finished in fifth place at Augusta last year, and then followed with three second-place finishes in the remaining majors, proposing that the 26-year-old American saves his best golf for the biggest tournaments.

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Although this year has been disappointing with a 12th place finish at the WGC event in Doral his best showing, Fowler will be sure to put up a sturdy fight for this year’s Masters, along with countrymen Phil Mickelson and defending champion Bubba Watson.

The old guard in Phil Mickelson has had little to cheer about since his Open victory in 2013 when he collected his fifth major triumph, but it’s impossible to ignore his Master’s record which champions three Green Jackets and seven more top-five finishes.

Bubba Watson has won the 2012 and 2014 US Masters and looks better equipped to mount a title defense this year after a solid start to the 2015 season. If Watson triumphs again this year, he will be the first golfer to defend his US Masters title since Tiger Wood’s win in 2002.

The favorite, Rory McIlroy, has been in sublime form and is chasing a Grand Slam at Augusta this year, which will undoubtedly provide him with extra motivation, should he need it. The Irishman’s best finish at Augusta came last year when he was eighth behind Bubba, but the world number one will face stiff competition in his fight for the trophy this year.

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