Fans converge on Augusta to take in practice at Masters

Twice Masters champion Bubba Watson, who arrives in Augusta in top form after winning the WGC Match Play Championship, is part of a marquee group of major champions that includes Swede Henrik Stenson, the 2016 British Open champion, and Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship victor.

Mickelson is not believed to have an endorsement deal with the company, but he said, “I just thought I would give it a try”.

Not to be overlooked is Woods, who hasn’t won this year but has shown he is plenty capable.

“I’m very fortunate to do the two things I love”, he said. “I feel as prepared as I ever have and I’m excited to hit that first tee shot on Thursday afternoon”.

The 2018 Masters is going to be a tournament that even casual golf fans enjoy because of the plethora of big names expected to be in contention over four days at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. “It was fun to have it for a year”, said the Spaniard of being the Masters champion, “so I would like to extend that if possible”. “I’ve not only been playing well, but I’m on courses I am familiar with and have had some great success in the past”.

Spieth, who has proved an Augusta National specialist already despite his still young career, says the course brings out the best in him because it taps into his imagination.

“Our friendship has gotten stronger over the years”, said Woods, 42.

Count four-time major victor Rory McIlroy among them.

The big-hitting 33-year-old has become somewhat becalmed on a single major victory at the 2016 US Open, but when he is on he can overpower the field. Woods will face major championship pressure for the first time since spinal-fusion surgery revived his career. Publically humiliated after a DUI arrest and ensuing salacious mugshot, on top of all the back and knee trouble he has had pre-dating the 2009/2010 sex scandal, it seemed entirely plausible that Tiger may never play again.

It’s insane to think that Woods – perhaps the most dominant athlete, in any sport, of the past 20 years – would be anxious about just having a job in professional golf.

Maybe it will help McIlroy, Day and so many others because of the attention on Woods.

Added Arjun Atwal, the first Indian victor on the PGA Tour: “It’s wonderful to see what he’s doing at the age of 21”.

That starts with getting to the first tee on Thursday.

Nevertheless, Johnson says his confidence level remains high, a 9 1/2, perhaps, compared to 10 on a scale of 10 a year ago.

When asked about how good it is for the game for Woods to be back, he responded, “Tiger is the game!” Redemption after the injury disaster that derailed his week a year ago.

Sharma hopes to really cross paths with Woods before play begins April 5.

Then, of course, there’s Jordan Spieth.

Johnson, 33, is still perched atop the world rankings, although Justin Thomas leads a trio of players who could supplant him this week.

“We were pretty much running from one green to another”, Sharma said.

This year should prove to be a very exciting event.

“But my skill set should produce a chance to win if all goes well”. This is McIlroy’s 10th appearance. He’s 47 and I’m 42 and we’ve had a great 20-year battle.

“I have four rounds to play”, he said.

“Everyone thinks just because I’m a firefighter it’s easy to play golf”, Parziale told WBZ-TV. “If you do that enough times, hopefully that score on Sunday evening’s the lowest out of all 87 or 88 competitors that are here and you walk away with something that you’ll have for the rest of your life”. “Every time you get there you get goose bumps”.

From the spectacular setting and enduring traditions such as Tuesday’s Champions dinner and Wednesday’s par-three competition, to spectacular shots, infamous collapses and great champions, the Masters is a spring rite and one of sport’s most revered events.

“Having Tiger back at this level is awesome, through the young guns, through Phil, there’s one thing this tournament has and that’s drama”. He has finished second two out of the last three years and is playing some unbelievable golf this season.

Noren has two third place finishes and a tie for second this season on the PGA Tour.