Returning to Augusta
For the avid golf fan, there are few weeks as exciting and special as Masters Week. The Masters Tournament is traditional, predictable and exciting all at the same time. Augusta National is arguably the most recognizable golf course in the world.
Sure, there are dozens of things that we know are going to happen this week:
- Jim Nantz will wax poetically about golf and flowers
- Joe Ford will thank the television partners for the limited commercial interruption
- The gallery will be referred to as patrons
- Gary McCord will not be in a tower
- Billy Payne will greet television viewers like neighbors who just walked into his cozy cottage before awarding the eventual champion the green jacket
But for all the home-spun predticablities, The Masters Tournament always manages to produce some of the most exciting golf of the year. Last year, it was the battle on the back nine between Danny
Willet and Jordan Spieth. Spieth was cruising to a second straight Masters title when he found water on No. 12 - twice! Spieth made a late charge down the stretch but was unable to regain the lead and Willet found himself draped in the green jacket.
This weekend will also include many tributes to the late Arnold Palmer who passed away in September of last year. Palmer was a four-time Masters champion having won in 58, 60, 62, and 64. For the last several years, Palmer has joined the other members of the original "Big 3" to hit the ceremonial tee-shot on Thursday morning. Palmer's absence will be noticeable but his contributions to the game of golf will certainly never be forgotten.
Augusta National co-founder Bobby Jones played his entire career as an amateur and as such, the Masters tradition of honoring amateur players will be recognized again this year. Last year it was Bryson DeChambeau who played as the reigning US Amateur champion. This year it's Curtis Luck who won the US Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills last year.
Friendly reminder that The Masters television schedule remains very restricted. Thursday and Friday coverage will be on ESPN at 3:00PM EST. CBS will once again carry the weekend coverage Saturday at 3:00PM and Sunday at 2:00PM. However, the Masters app will carry live coverage of feature groups, Amen Corner, and 15 and 16 so there is plenty of Masters coverage available.
So who is going to win this thing? Jason Day and Rory McIlroy both enter the year looking to regain a major championship. McIlroy can complete the career grand slam with a win this week at Augusta. Jordan Spieth is looking to rebound from last year's collapse at No. 12. Justin Thomas started the year blazing hot with back to back wins in Hawaii.
But one player has been dominant for the better part of the last year: Dustin Johnson. DJ can overpower the course, and when his short game is on (which has been his Achilles heel in the past) he is virtually unbeatable. B&B thinks DJwins his second major this year and his first green jacket.
Willet and Jordan Spieth. Spieth was cruising to a second straight Masters title when he found water on No. 12 - twice! Spieth made a late charge down the stretch but was unable to regain the lead and Willet found himself draped in the green jacket.
This weekend will also include many tributes to the late Arnold Palmer who passed away in September of last year. Palmer was a four-time Masters champion having won in 58, 60, 62, and 64. For the last several years, Palmer has joined the other members of the original "Big 3" to hit the ceremonial tee-shot on Thursday morning. Palmer's absence will be noticeable but his contributions to the game of golf will certainly never be forgotten.
Augusta National co-founder Bobby Jones played his entire career as an amateur and as such, the Masters tradition of honoring amateur players will be recognized again this year. Last year it was Bryson DeChambeau who played as the reigning US Amateur champion. This year it's Curtis Luck who won the US Amateur Championship at Oakland Hills last year.
Friendly reminder that The Masters television schedule remains very restricted. Thursday and Friday coverage will be on ESPN at 3:00PM EST. CBS will once again carry the weekend coverage Saturday at 3:00PM and Sunday at 2:00PM. However, the Masters app will carry live coverage of feature groups, Amen Corner, and 15 and 16 so there is plenty of Masters coverage available.
So who is going to win this thing? Jason Day and Rory McIlroy both enter the year looking to regain a major championship. McIlroy can complete the career grand slam with a win this week at Augusta. Jordan Spieth is looking to rebound from last year's collapse at No. 12. Justin Thomas started the year blazing hot with back to back wins in Hawaii.
But one player has been dominant for the better part of the last year: Dustin Johnson. DJ can overpower the course, and when his short game is on (which has been his Achilles heel in the past) he is virtually unbeatable. B&B thinks DJwins his second major this year and his first green jacket.
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