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5 groups to watch in Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2018 Masters

By Luke Norris

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the 17th tee as Phil Mickelson looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: Rickie Fowler plays his shot from the 17th tee as Phil Mickelson looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines North on January 26, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 03: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 03: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

Tiger Woods, Marc Leishman, Tommy Fleetwood

Thursday, Round 1: 1st tee, 10:42 a.m. ET

Friday, Round 2: 1st tee, 1:27 p.m. ET

Let’s just go ahead and get this out of the way because EVERYONE is going to be following this group. Tiger Woods is back at The Masters for the first time in three years and he actually has a chance to win. He’s no longer the betting favorite but he’s right near the top and for good reason. Sure, he’s only six tournaments into this latest comeback but he’s been playing very well and been contending on Sundays for the first time in a long time. After a missed cut at the Genesis Open, the four-time Masters champ finished 12th at The Honda Classic, made a big run at the Valspar before finishing in a tie for second and followed it up with a T-5 at the Arnold Palmer. Like it or not, folks, Tiger’s a story this week.

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood certainly isn’t a household name in the U.S. just yet but the 12th-ranked player in the world has game. He made a charge at the U.S. Open last year before Brooks Koepka ran away from everyone. Fleetwood has finished sixth or better in four of his last 10 starts, including a win in Abu Dhabi and a solo fourth at The Honda Classic. This is just the second Masters appearance for the 27-year-old and he did miss the cut last year but is looking to come back strong this time around.

World No. 16 Marc Leishman has had an up-and-down 2018. He did not fare well at the Match Play event but in seven stroke-play events this year, he has three top-10 finishes, including a tie for seventh at Bay Hill. Leishman has made five appearances at Augusta National, his best finish being a tie for fourth in 2013. He finished tied for 43rd a season ago.

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