We’re back on the keyboard, just like Tiger Woods, ya’ll — preparing you for this year’s first major golf tournament, the Masters. Held each April in Augusta, GA, the Masters is a spectacle that all can enjoy, even the casual golf fan. Around the office you’ll hear whispers of “Amen Corner,” “Bubba Watson,” and “What’s Dufnering?” (http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9113028/dufnering-all-rage-photo-jason-dufner-sleepy-pose-goes-viral) this week, and I’m sure you will see endless coverage on TV and social media all weekend. We will highlight some tidbits on the tournament, as well as make our predictions in case you happen to find yourself in the office Master’s pool. We charge 10% commission on all winnings, just so you know.
What happened last year?
Bubba Watson won his first major ever in incredible style, duck hooking a shot from the trees (it hooked 40 yards…40!) to the elevated green to hold off a late run from Louis Oosthuizen (don’t even try to pronounce it), who had a double-eagle in his last round for only the fourth time in Master’s history. I prefer to call it the “Albatross” from MarioGolf, but whatever. Watson, sporting a bright pink driver and an all white uniform that made him look like a painter all day had four straight birdies down the stretch to force the playoff, and Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson rounded out the final four. Notables: Tiger Woods finished tied for 40th at 5+, along with Rory McIlroy, with the exact same score. Here is a snap of the final leaderboard:
I just love the country flags on the ESPN golf leaderboard. America!
Who is playing the best golf right now?
It feels like forever since we’ve been able to say this: Tiger Woods. I honestly felt last summer as if Tiger’s time had finally passed. Yeah he was going to get some wins, but Rory McIlroy was bursting on to the scene with an impressive win at the PGA, and the rest of the golfers on tour didn’t seem to have that inherent fear of Tiger on Saturday and Sunday as they’ve always had before. Several times he was in the hunt, but he never overtook the lead. Now with a fresh girlfriend (hello, Lindsey Vonn) and a new game, Tiger is again playing the best golf in the world. Tiger has 3 wins on tour so far and no one else has more than 1. He is the odds on favorite to win this year’s tournament.
Who has a chance to win?
The best part about the Master’s is EVERYONE has a chance. Okay, maybe not that 14 year old from China, Guan Tianlang. But basically everyone else. Some of the hottest golfers right now include Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker (6 events this year, a win, two 2nds and a 3rd) and Tiger Woods, who currently sits atop the best golfers in the world list. However, many other names can come up in this discussion. You could mention Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson as past winners. Or Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, the guys with crazy talent who seem to be only a matter of time from winning their first green jackets. Anyone with a good putter (or belly putter, Adam Scott style) can make noise like Ian Poulter or Steve Stricker (Stricker gives putting advice to Tiger, that’s how good he is). As long as you are picking one of these guys to win, your friends are going to give you the head nod in approval.
Who WILL win?
Can we honestly pick anyone else besides Tiger Woods? Not only is he the odds on favorite, but he seems to finally have his focus on just “one” thing — golf (too soon?). Going for his 15th major, Tiger has won at Augusta before (4 times), and he will eventually do it again. One thing you can count on no matter how he plays the first three days; on Sunday, the golfers at the top will be looking over their shoulders again like we haven’t seen on tour in a few years. He has his swagger back, as well as the Associate’s pick for next weekend.
Coverage?
If you are lucky enough to have DirectTV, you’ll be able to enjoy 11 different channels following the tournament…see the link below.
As for the peasants, we can follow the action on ESPN and CBS, Wednesday through Sunday:
Wednesday: Par-3 contest, 3-5 p.m. ESPN
Thursday: 1st round, 3-7:30 p.m. ESPN
Friday: 2nd round, 3-7:30 p.m. ESPN
Saturday: 3rd round, 3-7 p.m. CBS
Sunday: Final round, 3-7 p.m. CBS
*or online all weekend at Masters.com!!
Last minute advice for the gambling man…
Here are the current lines for the 2013 Master’s, as of March 31st:
Courtesy of Sportsbook.ag
As you can see, Tiger is 3-1, which means a $10 bet on Tiger (usually the minimum) would only yield $30 if he won. Definitely not worth it considering how many golfers are in the field. Next up is Rory at 10-1, and Phil at 12-1, but these are still pretty bad odds for golf. Truthfully, you want to stay away from the favorites. They aren’t worth the money, and you have a much better shot at a nice return by targeting golfers like McDowell (50-1), Jason Dufner (40-1) and Lee Westwood (30-1). If you pool $50 together and take five golfers at $10 each, you’ll enjoy the tournament a ton and have a great shot at a huge return if one of your guys comes through. Just for kicks and giggles (we don’t disclose whether we actually bet or not….{pause}….), here are five golfers we would take at $10 each:
Adam Scott (25-1), to win $250.
Steve Stricker (50-1), to win $500.
Graeme McDowell (50-1), to win $500.
Brandt Snedeker (18-1), to win $180.
Ricky Fowler (40-1), to win $400.
We appreciate you taking the time to check out our blog. Enjoy the couch all weekend. — The Associates
helpful edits and thoughts from other co-associates (@dkemp2020, @jasonchen1988, @benjamin_drew)
The Associates 
Appreciate the shout-out at the end.. 🙂
Love the Lindsey Vonn mention (of course), and how she looks a lot like Elin.. #yaow
I hate ESPN’s Michael Collins. Conducts terrible interviews. ESPN can do much better.
I walked right next to the beautiful Lindsay Vonn on Thursday at Augusta!