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5 biggest questions heading into the Masters

By David Salituro

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 09: Tiger Woods of the United States and Justin Thomas of the United States walk during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 09: Tiger Woods of the United States and Justin Thomas of the United States walk during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 09, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Tiger, Bryson and Rory headline a Masters Tournament unlike any other.

It was eerily quiet on Monday in Augusta, Georgia. Missing was the mass of people who usually descend on the town the week of the Masters, the patrons who were lucky enough to secure tournament badges driving the local economy.

Even when Tiger Woods, the defending champion and a five-time Masters winner, played a practice round with Bryson DeChambeau, Fred Couples and Justin Thomas, there was none of the usual excitement. The course was empty, with no ropes holding back the galleries from the players.

But the majesty and mystique of Augusta National is still the same. Yes, Masters week is finally here, 19 months after Woods’ triumphant victory last April. It will be the first Masters ever played in the fall and without patrons in attendance, but a Green Jacket will still be handed out on Sunday, and for the 92 players in the field, that is all that matters.

The star attraction of this marquee group may not have been Woods. DeChambeau is trying out his newfound power on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, seeking to do what Woods did in 1997: simply overpower the course. DeChambeau’s muscular frame and booming drives have been the talk of the golfing world since the PGA Tour returned in June, and this week at the Masters is no different.

But DeChambeau and his quest to change the game of golf one swing of the driver at a time is just one of the storylines this week at the Masters. Here are five things to look for when the Masters begins on Thursday.

1. Does Tiger have another Masters moment in him?

It was a “where were you when” moment.

At around 2:30 p.m. ET last April 14, Tiger Woods tapped in on the 18th green at Augusta National to win his fifth Masters. The victory completed a stunning career comeback, ending an 11-year major drought marred by back injuries that had him questioning whether he would ever get back to his winning ways.

Woods heads to Augusta National this year as the defending champion, even though that momentous win seems so long ago. It will have been 578 days since the victory by the time Woods tees off on Thursday. Judging by his recent form, it appears even longer.

Woods has just one top-10 finish on the PGA Tour in the last 12 months, a tie for ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January, a tournament played so long ago that there were actually fans there. His best finish since the restart in June was a lackluster tie for 37th at the PGA Championship. He’s played just twice since August, missing the cut at the U.S. Open and finishing 72nd at the Zozo Championship, beating only three players at a course, Sherwood Country Club, where he had won five times before.

But if Woods proved anything on that April afternoon a year ago, it’s that he should never be counted out — especially at a place like Augusta National that he knows so well. Woods has been far from a threat for the past year, but he’s overcome the odds before. If major No. 16 is to come, it will likely be here at Augusta National. Why not this week?

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