By Mike Verrastro
It’s my favorite week of the year!
Yep, my tax refund just came today.
Oh, and that little annual gathering down by the Georgia/South Carolina border usually coincides with that tax refund.
Hello Friends. Apologies to Jim Nantz.
The Masters kicks off Thursday. And after all the talk about what Bubba served for the Champions Dinner, whether or not Tiger can get back on the major trail and who caddied for whom in the par-3 contest, it’s time to settle in for the best week of golf all year. Say what you will about the men in the green jackets but there isn’t a better run or more fan patron friendly tournament on the planet. Our preview.
The Course: With 7,435 yards of the greenest grass anywhere and playing to a par 72, Augusta National Golf Club has long been recognized as one the finest golf courses in the world. This former fruit nursery turned golf course was the dream of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts who hired Alistair McKenzie to design the layout. Baseball players want to win the World Series, football players want to win the Super Bowl. And golfers want to win at Augusta National.
The Field: The very best in the game along with past Masters champions who have no realistic chance of winning will be on hand for the 77th edition of this event. Top story lines: Can Tiger Woods get back on the Major train? Can Rory Mclroy finally win at Augusta? What about those who have never won a major including Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Jason Dufner, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott and Brandt Snedeker? Will Phil Mickelson claim his fourth green jacket. Can Bubba Watson pull off a rare repeat?
Purse: $8,000,000. Winning Share: $1,440,000
Fedex Cup Points: 600 points to the winner.
Schedule: Thursday, April 11–Sunday April, 14.
Television: Thursday and Friday 3 p.m.–7:30 p.m. ET ESPN
Saturday 3 p.m.–7 p.m. CBS Sunday 2 p.m.–7 p.m. CBS
So am I.