Masters story lines: Jordan Spieth repeat or Jason Day’s turn?

Can Jordan Spieth win again at the Masters? Or is it top-ranked Jason Day’s turn? Here are five story lines for the Masters:

The favorite

Day has taken over as world No. 1 from Spieth, and comes to Augusta at the top of his game with recent back-to-back victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Match Play. Day won the last major, the PGA Championship. His best finish at Augusta is a tie for second in 2011.

Rory’s slam

McIlroy arrived at Augusta in 2015 needing to win the Masters to complete a career grand slam. He finished fourth and he went through 2015 without winning a major. Augusta has never been good for McIlroy. He might have won in 2011 had it not been for a Sunday back-nine meltdown.

Spieth defends

Spieth’s 18-under 270 to win in 2015 tied Tiger Woods’ Masters scoring record. His only victory this season came at the Tournament of Champions in January and he then went through a stretch of T21, cut, T17, T18 before finishing tied for ninth at the Match Play. So he’s not exactly on a roll.

Missing Tiger, Arnie

Woods won’t play because of his bad back. When he returns to pursue Jack Nicklaus’ 18 career major victories is anybody’s guess. Arnold Palmer, 86, won’t hit a ceremonial first drive Thursday along Nicklaus and Gary Player because he has a bad shoulder. He will be there to watch.

Where’s Phil?

Three-time champion Phil Mickelson hasn’t won since capturing the 2013 British Open. But he was second at Pebble Beach in February and fifth at the World Golf Championship a few weeks later. Lefty is playing well and could be a factor. He was second behind Spieth at Augusta in 2015.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 9:13 PM with the headline "Masters story lines: Jordan Spieth repeat or Jason Day’s turn?."