The 2016 Masters Is Here! A Day One Mini-Primer
/Augusta National took on 1/2 inch of rain overnight when a loud storm moved through the region. The forecast calls for a high of 74 with Southwest winds expected to blow 15-20 mph, shifting to west winds later on that may include gusts of 25-30 according to forecasters.
With the wind in the forecast I ultimately made Rickie Fowler--native of wind tunnel Temecula--my choice in a year that is nearly impossible to settle on a favorite. (Here is the Augusta Chronicle's annual compilation of writer picks for Masters winner.) Like a wide open Kentucky Derby, this one may come down to who has a good trip in the form of tee times and a little bit of luck.
Just a few things that caught my eye, but as always I'd point you to GolfDigest.com, Augusta.com and all of the other fine people doing great work for your final pre-tournament reads...
Tom Watson is playing his last Masters and Bill Fields sums up an occasion that, in my view, has been a little under-discussed for such a legend.
Bubba Watson has managed to come in a bit under the radar and Jaime Diaz ponders the many things that make this complicated dude a fascinating study.
Adam Scott is a favorite and you may be able to get a good sense of how he will do this week based on how he plays the first hole, Brian Wacker notes for PGATour.com.
Jordan Spieth's two-year-old driver cracked on Wednesday. Doug Ferguson notes that Spieth showed up at the GWAA awards dinner in golf clothes because he was practicing late with his backup.
There are other amateurs this week besides Bryson DeChambeau, Ryan Herrington reports.
Masters official Twitter and Instagram accounts.
ESPN's coverage in the United States begins at 3 pm ET.
The Leaderboard.
Masters Live coverage starts at 9:26 am ET with Featured Group coverage. Amen Corner Live commences with the first group through the corner, at approxmiately 10:45 am ET.
