82nd Masters Tournament

[Davis Love III]

Each year, the Masters comes served with a healthy dumping of hype and anticipation. That’s only natural. It’s the first men’s major of the season, and it enjoys a uniquely iconic place within the consciousness of golfers as it’s contested on the same – apparently made for television – visually dramatic layout. Augusta National has always been the most tantalising of courses, with the beauty masking a biting cruelty that has consumed notable victims through the generations.

But those unmistakably green fairways and rolling greens have consistently proven to be the most alluring and grandest stage for the game’s best seeking to join the most coveted club. In 2018, it’s the 82^nd Masters Tournament, an event that began somewhat ignominiously with little fanfare during the 1930s, which has somehow developed into an indelible spring tradition that is celebrated by sports fans across the globe.

And this time, that overwhelming hype may be justified.

It’s rare to recall a time when so many of the biggest names have driven down Magnolia Lane with the validation of positive form and victories behind them. Eyes are pressed on Rory McIlroy who looks to complete the career Grand Slam with a victory at the venue that spurned him in 2011. Four majors were claimed in the years that followed, but this one remains treacherously elusive.

Several weeks ago, many had written off the 28-year-old’s chances, but the Northern Irishman brushed aside insipid early season results on the PGA Tour and roared spectacularly back to his winning best at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This triumph was a reminder that no one makes great golf look better, and that McIlroy is the closest figure of the current generation to match the transcendent star power of Tiger Woods.

It would be remiss not to discuss the 14-time major champion, who returns to the Masters after a three-year absence. Back in the autumn, there was little sign that Tiger would be stepping back onto the competitive stage anytime soon. He was yesterdays man, a shell of a once dominant icon making headlines for the wrong reasons. But following spinal fusion surgery and a progressively improving run of success on the PGA Tour – including a runner-up at the recent Valspar Championship – the 42-year-old has been installed as one of the favourites to claim a fifth Green Jacket.

That may be a somewhat premature declaration. 13 years have passed since his last success in this event, and he is a decade removed from his most recent major triumph at the U.S. Open. It would be an absolutely staggering story if Woods was to roll back the years and defeat the generation of players he directly inspired to reclaim glory. But there is no questioning that legendary touch on the greens remains intact and that his iron play – always the most crucially undervalued of attributes on this course – has been getting better with each appearance, though doubts remain about his skills off the tee. Nonetheless, Tiger is back, and may just deliver another moment of greatness that until recently seemed unthinkable.

Likewise, a strong case can be made for Phil Mickelson – who has endured longer than most – to become the oldest champion in history. Approaching his 48^th birthday, the big left-hander ended a lengthy winning drought (going back to the 2013 Open) at the WGC in Mexico. Augusta National is a canvas that is perfectly suited to the creative artistry of the three-time champion’s game, and the potential presence of both Mickelson and Woods on the leaderboard completes what could be viewed as a confluence of generations at the Masters, which is thrilling prospect hard to understate.

Dustin Johnson – who missed last year’s event following a freak accident in his rental house – is the technically and athletically brilliant world number one, who has the tools to unlock the secrets of this storied layout. Justin Thomas, the PGA champion, is the inevitable successor at the summit of the game’s rankings, and few would be shocked to see him contending on the back-nine when it comes to Sunday, as the 24-year-old possesses the qualities and belief to subdue even the most fearsome stages in the game.

Two-time champion Bubba Watson is twice a winner on tour this season and is the definitive horses for courses player, whose idiosyncratic talent always seems primed for success at Augusta. The same can be said for Jordan Spieth – the 2015 champion – who shot back to form during the weekend at Houston, and is perhaps the greatest contemporary exponent of a golfer who has mastered the skill of simply playing the game. His approach play is the most underrated of the elite, and the familiar touch and feel of those famous greens may help to cure recent struggles with the putter.

Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm, Paul Casey, and Alex Noren will be commonly featuring on betting slips, while defending champion Sergio Garcia has been somewhat removed from the discussion, rather inexplicably, but the new father will certainly be enjoying his week. Justin Rose, who came agonisingly close to winning 12 months ago, is back for a 13^th appearance. It could be lucky for him, as the Englishman’s record at Augusta has been superb in recent years. And what about Ian Poulter, booked to be a pundit for Sky Sports, who has dropped the mic after his astonishing victory at the weekend to secure the last invite, underlining the determination that has defined his career.

The bubbling stories entering this Masters have been startling, but which of them will be written on Sunday? Fate could be about to etch a tale that will rank among the greatest of them all.

[Crroma]

Is Tiger Woods playing tho?

[Peppino Impastato]

Dont really like the masters and think they should take major status away from it (it's an invitational) make the fourth major one outside the USA that goes between the great courses of the world.  It's good to watch though.

[Distant Doonhamer]

Great stuff as always DL 111.

I love the Masters. Can`t wait for the Back 9 on Sunday. 

[Fuctifano]

Masters Sunday is my favourite annual sporting event. If I win some money, great, if not then as long as it's a good finish. Think 2011 was my favourite relatively recent one with Rory's meltdown, what seemed like about 24 folk in contention at the same time, and Schwartzel going birdie x 4 to win it. Last year's was tremendous drama as well.

[lichtie23]

Love Augusta National, the most gorgeous course on the planet. Will spend a part of tomorrow looking at some bets.

Mon the golf

[lichtie23]

Dont really like the masters and think they should take major status away from it (it's an invitational) make the fourth major one outside the USA that goes between the great courses of the world.  It's good to watch though.

You don’t like the Masters but at the same time think it’s a good watch?

[Peppino Impastato]

25 minutes ago, lichtie23 said:

You don’t like the Masters but at the same time think it’s a good watch?

That's right

[MONKMAN]

The Masters is the pinnacle of golf and easily the most enjoyable out of the four majors.

It’s no surprise the boards resident moron doesn’t like it, although his friend Condoleezza Rice will probably disagree.

[John Lambies Doos]

Can't wait. Impeccable as usual DL III

[peasy23]

Just watching the 2016 final round, and Speith's implosion through 10-11-12. All Willett's Christmases came at once that day.

[M0rtonfc]

Gonna stick a few bets on today, was tempted with a tenner on Speith and maybe a fiver each way on Stenson [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848]

[Donathan]

Dont really like the masters and think they should take major status away from it (it's an invitational) make the fourth major one outside the USA that goes between the great courses of the world.  It's good to watch though.

Away and fucking raffle. The masters is the best golf tournament of the year, bar none.

[Peppino Impastato]

1 minute ago, Donathan said:

 

 

Away and fucking raffle. The masters is the best golf tournament of the year, bar none.

 

 

Not imo, played on the worst course of any of them too.

[Disco30]

Not imo, played on the worst course of any of them too.

You've spoke quite a lot of sense lately but this is something weel have to disagree on. Augusta is a beautiful course , any golfer in the world would cherish playing there. The masters is definitely up there as one of the best.

[Distant Doonhamer]

10 hours ago, M0rtonfc said:

Gonna stick a few bets on today, was tempted with a tenner on Speith and maybe a fiver each way on Stenson

Speith has been in the water at 12th in 3 of his last 4 Sundays at the Masters.

He`ll be sweating again if in contention this time.

[doulikefish]

Last 2 winners have also won the dubai duty free earlier in the year so id already put some on haotong when he won that,also on leishman and franki molinari both ew

[lichtie23]

Thomas Pieters! That’s this years winner. Bookmark it lads!

[Guest]

Jack Nicklaus's grandson getting a hole in one in the par three just there was one of the best things I've ever seen

[lichtie23]

Jack Nicklaus's grandson getting a hole in one in the par three just there was one of the best things I've ever seen

Have you seen Tony Finau dislocate his ankle celebrating his hole in one?