Masters 2013 Opening Round: Tee It High And Let It Fly

The old-timers all say The Masters begins on Sunday afternoon, at the 10th tee, but play actually starts on Thursday morning. The Masters is laden with time tested traditions, and customary drives from the old-timers is the signal for the tournament to begin. This year’s starters will Be Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. After they hit drives in the early morning fog, Play begins.

Tiger Woods comes to Augusta on a winning streak that includes wins in his last two appearances, at Doral, and Bay Hill. The world’s number one golfer has not won a Green Jacket since 2oo5, or a major championship since the Monday playoff at Torrey Pines against Rocco Mediate in the 2008 US Open. His last victory at Augusta National was on the heels of the infamous chip shot from the back of the 16th green that paused for a moment to show you the Nike Logo just before it disappeared into the hole.

It was a subtle reminder of why Nike paid the youngster $40 Million dollars to turn pro, and put the Swoosh on his golf bag.

Tiger is stuck on 14 major championships, and is four shy of Jack Nicklaus’ 18. 2013 has turned out to be the most focused I’ve seen Tiger Woods in over five years.

His golf swing has been re-tooled, his short game, and scrambling ability is as good as it has always been, and with a little help from Steve Stricker, he has found his putting stroke. He looks like a man who is finally at peace with himself, and is ready to resume his assault on the record books.

The world’s number two golfer, Rory McIlroy has struggled all spring since his announcement to put the Nike Swoosh on his bag in Abu Dhabi back in January. The youngster from Northern Ireland  found something at The Valero Texas Open last week where he shot 66 on Sunday afternoon before settling for a second place finish.

He looks to have his golf swing back in control, and a bit of swagger back in his step. McIlroy will be looking for his third major in as many years, and his first Green Jacket. He had the lead in 2011 on Sunday afternoon, but had a meltdown that started at that infamous 10th hole,where he gave his Green Jacket to South African, Charl Schwartzel.

The player coming into the 2013 Masters with the least respect, is 2012 Champion, Bubba Watson. Watson won in a playoff last year against South African, and 2010 British Open Champ, Louis Oosthuizen. Watson hit an impossible shot from the right rough to win his first major, and first Green Jacket.

The rules have changed a bit this year, allowing more people to make the 36 hole cut, and play the weekend. Masters chairman, Billy Payne, made an announcement on Wednesday afternoon that all top 50 and ties would make the cut. Since 1962, the top 44 and ties were allowed into weekend play, which from 1958 until 1961 was top 40 and ties..

"“Now, more than 50 years later, we believe offering more playing opportunities for the participants over the weekend is a positive for everyone involved — for the world’s best players wishing to compete over four rounds; for our patrons enjoying the tournament here on site; and for those golf fans watching at home through our expansive worldwide television broadcast and our continually improving online digital platforms.”"

The cut rule, that any player within 10 strokes of the lead will also make the cut is still in effect. 93 players will tee it up Thursday morning with one thing on their minds. A green jacket on Sunday.

Be sure to catch all the stories from The Masters, and around the golfing world at Pro Golf Now. We will be running live blogs with leaderboard updates throughout all four-day of the tournament. Be sure to check in, and give us your comments, and thoughts about this great tournament.

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