The Masters was first contested in 1934, this year marking the 82th edition of the tournament, and is best known as the most traditional major on tour. In fact, tradition is a major theme at the tournament. As mentioned before, a green jacket is awarded to the winner of the tournament. The winner can keep this jacket for one year, after which it must be returned to Augusta National, where it is stored. The Champions Dinner, held the Tuesday evening prior to the start of the tournament, is an exclusive dinner only past champions and members of the club can attend. One of the most recent traditions has been the opening tee shots, which are performed by golfing legends. Last year, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus teed it up to commence the tournament. A par 3 competition is also held on the par 3 course at Augusta, which usually gives out a number of hole-in-ones each year.
There's golfing merit to back up all the traditions and prestige of the tournament. The Masters is perhaps the most recognizable and prestigeous tournament played in golf. Winning the Masters can launch an ordinary golfer's career to the next level, regardless of the WGC points and prize money it hands out (about 1.8 million this year for the winner). Speaking of golfers, who will be getting an invite this year? Past major champions and top 12 finishers in the previous edition of the tournament, the last five major champions, including runner-ups, certain PGA Tour winners of last season, the top 50 on the World Golf Rankings, etc. There are also a number of amateurs playing in the tournaments, as a result of certain amateur wins.
Like the tournament it hosts, Augusta National Golf Club is without a doubt one of the most iconic courses in golf. From it's deep green grass to pearl white bunkers, golfers and non-golfers alike can attest to it's beauty. It ranks difficult amongst players too, who will battle against massive elevation changes, sloping fairways, large drop-offs, and lightning fast greens. The course will measure 7,435 yards this year, including a 240-yard par 3 (4th hole "Flowering Crab Apple"). A player who can negotiate around these challenges will succeed here.
Finally, here's who I think has a chance of winning this week:
1) Jason Day: Simple reasons, he's on fire on the course at the moment and playing probably the best golf of his career. He's also the top ranked golfer in the world now and carries great momentum via back to back wins of the WGC Match Play and Arnold Palmer Invitational. If anyone knows how to handle adversity, it's this man.
2) Henrik Stensen: To say Stensen's career has taken off from just several years ago is an understatement. I remember a time when you'd look at the bottom of a leaderboard and most of the time see his name there. He's changed now and always seems to be lurking near the top of a leaderboard each week (he finished 2nd last week at the Houston Open and T3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational), sort've like Luke Donald a few years ago.
3) Phil Mickelson: Phil and Augusta seem to go hand and hand. He's won here before and always seems to play well around the time of the tournament. He's been having a good season so far, with several T15's or higher. Don't be surprised to find his name near the top of the leaderboard.
The Opening Round kicks off tomorrow morning. Be sure to check out our Weekend Update post Friday evening to see how everyone's playing.
Also, leave a comment and let us know who your picks are,
-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews
All eyes will be on our top pick Jason Day this week
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