Hello, Friends
Before we get into business here…I am running a Masters Pool! $20 to enter with a max of three (3) entries. Picking 15 total golfers, from 5 tiers — best 5 combined scores count towards total. All money (minus $20 it took to run the pool) paid to single winner!
Venmo me at eddydelsignore to confirm!
Link is here: CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
When you turn on your Masters broadcasts and hear the sweet sound of Jim Nantz’s voice, he will welcome your eyes to the screen with the familiar phrase, “Hello, Friends.” At that moment, you will know that you are in the midst of watching the greatest sporting event on the planet, The Masters. It supersedes the Superbowl, the NBA Finals, the Olympics…anything. It is the greatest event, played by the greatest players, at the greatest course on this planet. The Masters, simply, is a Tradition Unlike Any Other.
Let’s start with the course. Augusta National Golf Club is perhaps the most private, while still being the most recognizable golf course in the world. From the enormous Georgia pines and magnolia trees to the luscious, perfectly manicured fairways and immaculate white-sand bankers, Augusta National is pristine. A par-72 course that has now stretched to 7,500+ yards, it is the 7th longest course on the Tour rotation. Premiums are put on strategic play, course familiarity, and taking advantage of the risk/reward aspect of most holes. “Attacking the par-5’s and surviving the par-4’s” is a theme that leads to success each year. Players that have won the event have played the par-5’s exceptionally well, attacked the shorter par-4’s, and, perhaps most importantly, have avoided catastrophe on the tougher par-4 holes with conservative play.
The green complexes are lighting fast and treacherous. It has been said that the only flat areas on the course are on the tee boxes. Indeed, most approach shots will be taken from uneven lies. Even without incredibly penal rough, the aforementioned green complexes, elevation changes, uneven lies, and runoff areas around the green give Augusta all the defense it needs to prevent birdies from dominating the course. Moreover, an anonymous player was once quoted as saying, “One of the best things Augusta does is mess with you. And the way it messes with you is that it gives you options. Pros don’t like options because then they have to make decisions.” That proves correct, as many players will remark at how playing the course multiple times will finally allow the knowledge to actually attack it — course familiarity, positive past history, and experience are all major factors in success at Augusta.
Next, let’s get to the field: simply put, it’s the best in the sport. Finally, LIV golfers and PGA golfers will come together for the first of their four total events this season. Many of the “big” names are in excellent form, which makes this year particularly interesting. There are so many storylines to examine…
Scottie going back to back? Scottie going back to back, which would be the first time that’s happened since Tiger Woods at the turn of this century, would also give him two of the last three green jackets. The betting favorite, Scottie’s game has been peaking in recent weeks after missing the first few tournaments of the year with a hand injury suffered cooking at home…who can’t relate to that?!
Rory finally getting his green jacket? I feel like I say this every year, but this year feels like the year for Rory to finally get his green jacket and end his decade long Major drought. Winner of two huge events this year: a signature event at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, Rory comes into the Masters with perhaps the highest set of expectations of him in recent years…and the game to back it up. Always one of the most prodigious drivers of the golf ball in the history of the sport, Rory’s retooled swing has led to improved approach and wedge play as well. The question, as always, is whether the mental demons that Augusta gives to Rory will factor into his chances of winning.
LIV Return to Golf. Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson, among others, used to be mainstays in the PGA Tour. Now, we get to see them four times a year (unless you like watching FS2 at odd hours for LIV tournaments). As everyone knows, Bryson won the US Open last year over Rory in dramatic fashion, and, obviously, the others on this list are former Major champions. All should come into play at Augusta down the stretch, and add an interesting dynamic to an already excellent field. P.S…don’t count out Sergio Garcia this week.
New Green Jacket Fit? Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, among many others looks for their first green jacket. Morikawa, in particular, seems to be a very trendy name this week when discussing potential winners, as the analytics bros have deemed him the best golfer in the best form for what Augusta demands. Does Ludvig get it done after his second place finish last year in his debut? Somehow, even though he currently holds two Major championships, Xander Schauffele feels as if he’s being overlooked this year, partially because of his long absence with rib cartilage issues.
Hurricane damage. Rumors have swirled that Hurricane Helene has caused tree damage at Augusta that forced the removal of multiple trees on the property that might allow certain holes to be played on different lines than were possible before…or at least appear less visually intimidating. There are rumors that a line over the clubhouse at hole no.10 could be possible, but it’s hard to believe that Augusta would allow any compromise to the integrity of the great game of golf…
In thinking about all of these storylines, I have more anticipation for this year’s Masters than I have in a long time. Although the absence of Tiger Woods at Augusta will make me horribly sad in watching, the sheer excellence of the golf about to be played will do more than help my appetite.
I’m about to steal this line from Scott Van Pelt, but it’s true: the best part about the Masters is that it’s a FOREVER tournament. For a golfer that wins this tournament, your name is famous forever. Danny Willet? Masters Champion. Will have a Green Jacket at Augusta forever because he got hot for 9 holes. Charl Schwartzel got hot for 2 hours, and will be etched in golf’s history forever. You win this tournament, you’re immortal. The Green Jacket will always be there for you, you’ll always be back for the *Champions* Dinner, you’ll always be in golf lore. It only takes one good week of golf. It’s crazy to think that Danny Willet has a Masters…and Rory McIlroy does not. It’s the measure of success in golf that trumps all other tournaments, all other career accomplishments. I believe, and I think the golf public would agree, that a career is not complete without a Masters. A golfing great would not have the proverbial cherry on top of his career—would not have a COMPLETE career—without a Green Jacket on the resume. It’s what makes Rory’s chase for his Green Jacket so special. He’s without question one of the best golfers in the history of the sport…but still feels one level lower than some of the GREAT greats because he’s missing the Masters win. I always think…would Rory trade his career for the career of someone like…Dustin Johnson? Phil Mickelson (personal animus aside)? They have multiple Major wins with a Green Jacket. Rant over, point being: the stakes for this Major, in my opinion, trump all of the other golf accomplishments. This is the white whale. You win here, you live forever…
With that…it’s time to get to my pick!
And…I’m ready to be hurt again. After I say this name, and get disappointed in myself for saying this name, I always vow to stop picking this man to win Majors because he just always disappoints. But…I’m going with Rory McIlroy to finally get his career grand slam, his first Green Jacket, and end his 10+ year Major winless streak. Personally, I hope the final group includes a LIV great, preferably Brooks Koepka. I would ask that Augusta give us drama down the stretch…but Augusta never, ever fails to entertain the masses.
It’s my favorite week of the year, and I hope everyone enjoys this week as much as I enjoy this week.
GOLF SURVIVOR UPDATE
Week 14 Recap: Valero Open
Starting Entries: 6
Cut: PGA Tour Cut
Players Cut: Ludvig Aberg
Entries Eliminated: 2
Week 15: Valero Texas Open
Course: Augusta National Golf Club
Cut: Masters Cut
No need for a brief preview when you can just scroll up…