Masters 2014: Adam Scott in good shape to win rare back-to-back Masters titles

Only three players have managed the feat

Adam Scott is hoping to build on his competitive 69 as he continues to defend his Masters title (Getty Images)

Only three players in the history of the first major of the season have won back-to-back Masters and Adam Scott is fine shape to achieve that rare feat. Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have managed to defend the title and those players would be in the top 10 of the best players ever in the sport.

Bubba Watson is looking to achieve something more common in becoming a multiple champion and at three shots clear ahead of the weekend is in good shape to win his second Green Jacket in three years. Its now highly unlikely that Rory McIlroy will win his first Masters and Sergio Garcia will definitely not as he has missed the cut.

McIlroy’s second round of 77 was perfect example of the vagaries and unpredictability of major championship golf. Everything looked in his favour at the start of the week and a one-under par opening round suggested he would contend. However, he never looked comfortable yesterday and needs a third round in the mid-sixties to get back in contention.

Jordan Speith is an Augusta debutant and the only player to win at his first Masters is Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, other than the very first champion of course. The superb Texan youngster has made a massive impact on the US Tour and despite his youth seems to have an excellent golfing brain. He relished the occasion of his first tee shot at Augusta but could look back on the week with even more satisfaction if he is presented with the Green Jacket by Scott on Sunday.