The 2017 Masters begins on Thursday in Augusta, Georgia, with Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth the three favourites for one of golf's most prestigious events.McIlroy, who has never won the green jacket, is looking to become only the sixth golfer of the Masters era to win a career Grand Slam. However, he has struggled on this course ever since his collapse in 2011, when the Northern Irishman let a four-shot lead slip in the final round.It has been a very frustrating event for McIlory in subsequent years, and he recently described it as "stressful" in an interview highlighting his fraught relationship with the Masters, per Brian Wacker for Golf World."I'd love to say my life is already fulfilled," he said on Monday, per Marty Smith for ESPN. "But if I didn't have a green jacket, there'd be a tiny piece that would just be missing. It really would be."Overall, he has a decent record at Augusta, as highlighted by golf writer Ron Mintz on Twitter:The pressure McIlroy appears to be putting on himself cannot be helpful, especially given the strength of the field this year.Currently ranked the best golfer in the world after winning each of his last three tournaments, Johnson is a strong contender to win the 2017 Masters. He is the favourite at 11/2, followed by MicIlroy at 7/1 and Spieth at 8/1, per OddsShark.This year's winner will receive $1.6 million (1.28 million), per Tom Dutton for the EveningStandard.Seeking a fourth consecutive tournament win, Johnson is on fire right nowand deserves to be the favourite.However, the top-ranked golfer when entering the tournamenthasn't won since Tiger Woods in 2002.Spieth has a phenomenal record at this event. He has finished in the top two at the Masters in each of the past three seasons, and he won the event in 2015 by four strokes. He holds a 25-under cumulative score at Augusta, better than any of the golfers competing this year.The American could be haunted by memories of last year, when he let a five-shot lead slip in the final nine holes of the tournament, although he appears to be in high spirits."It's my favourite tournament," Spieth said, per PA Sport (via Sky Sports). "I love being in contention here. I've had the luxury of having that every time I've been here."British golfer Danny Willet, the shock victor 12 months ago, has failed to build upon his success and is 125/1, perOddsShark.Spieth and Johnson will both be strong contenders over the coming few days, but there is no reason why this can't finally be McIlroy's year. If he remains focused, and finally lets go of that infamous collapse in 2011, he could complete the career Grand Slam and ensure he is remembered as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
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