It is the eve of The Masters and excitement is in the air. I have mentioned in plenty of previous posts and comments that I take this week off every year from my offline job just so I can absorb every moment of this tournament, and this year is no different. The expansive coverage by both ESPN and The Masters website allows me to watch specific groupings and holes so that I can see everything The Masters has to offer. Beginning with the Honorary starters at 7:40 am Eastern on Thursday morning that will honor 3-time winner Gary Player, 2-time winner Tom Watson, and of course, 6-time winner Jack Nicklaus when they each hit a drive off the 1st tee in the annual tradition.
My outlook on the tournament itself is focused on the stars of the PGA. Players like Justin Thomas, Jordan Speith, John Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Schefler, Rory McIlroy, and of course, Tiger Woods. Tiger is coming off a life-threatening car accident 14 months ago where he could have lost his right leg with multiple open fractures of the tibia and fibula. He has an obvious limp and the severe terrain of Augusta with its hilly terrain will pose a definite problem for Tiger as it will be difficult for him to walk 72 holes. The weather plans to be colder than normal, putting undue pressure on how his surgically repaired back will perform. Tiger is 46 years old, the same age as Jack Nicklaus when he won his record-setting 6th green jacket in 1986, and his chances of winning that 6th green jacket are going to be difficult, but as his history on this course has shown, you can never count him out.
While all of the attention is on Tiger, several favorites are coming into this tournament under the radar, at least in my mind... There are a few players I think are favorites to put on the green jacket, all of which have yet to win the Masters. first, Justin Thomas is due and he is my favorite to win this week. I like how he plays and the course is perfect for him. He has come close a few times and I love his game. I will be rooting for him this week. Second is john Rahm, the #2 ranked player don't eh a PGA tour. I am not a fan of Rahm, simply because of his history of emotions getting the best of him, he has not been the most cordial player in the past and has shown signs of losing his temper. Collin Morikawa is another fan favorite and he has been playing well of late. The final one I am looking at is Players Champion Cameron Smith... The Aussie is coming off the best win of his career and is a popular choice to do well this week.
In closing, I look forward to this week every year, I love the course, I love the atmosphere, and I love the excitement of the patrons that relate perfectly on TV. The roars reverberate through the hills and induce chills as players make shots that are epic and historic in nature. My co-host on Sunday night isn't as fervent of fans of the game of golf, specifically 
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