On the Bag: The Masters

When Arnie and Jack hit the ceremonial first drives Thursday morning at Augusta National,  hopefully all of the Tiger trash will be over. The Monday press conference could drag into Tuesday morning and nobody is worried about the golf yet. A lot of the players are gearing up for the press onslaught.

The new practice facility, which Geoff Ogilvy calls the best he's ever seen, will give them a place to hide and work on their game. It's been an unspoken sore spot with the players for a long time and the Green Jackets finally acquiesced bringing Augusta's practice area into present times. Only a few years ago certain players weren't allowed to hit drivers - the driving range was that short.

Tiger officially arrived at 1:38 p.m. to clicking telescopic cameras sequestered in the practice area. I pity the photographers this week, their back packs will weigh more than any caddy's golf bag, and they will be exploring areas nobody has seen before to get that exclusive shot of El Tigre. He talked with Paul Casey outside the clubhouse, saw Jim Furyk on the practice tee, and played the back nine with '98 champion Mark O'Meara, his best friend he hasn't seen since the British Open. Too bad we're not talking about golf the Sunday before the Masters.

Augusta tweaks - no, it completely overhauls - the course every year. Some changes are unnoticeable, others drastic and completely alter Bobby Jones and Alistair MacKenzie's original concepts. Augusta was always a risk-reward golf course with a lot of birdies available while a bogey lurked close. These days it is a strategic, almost penal course, lulling the roars on the back nine. Zach Johnson won his Masters in '07 despite never going for a par five in two, while Jack used to play the par fives twelve to thirteen under in his day. Sunday afternoon at Augusta just ain't what it used to be but they are trying to bring it back.

This year, of course, Tiger is the favorite. He's well rested, his legs should be strong, and once he steps inside the ropes all thoughts will be on winning his fifteenth major. It's a good year for the Grand Slam, the courses are all aligned for Tiger.

Ernie is another favorite but having an inexperienced caddy on the bag may hinder him. I picked AK last week and he came through but that injured thumb and his swashbuckling style doesn't cut it here. I wish Furyk was a little longer off the tee because his putting touch could tame the quick, undulating greens. Many folks like Paul Casey but he's nursing an injury, Tom Watson is a sentimental favorite and will probably make his first cut in awhile, Vijay doesn't have it any more, and Sergio whines too much to earn a major victory. Oh, I forgot about Phil and probably everyone else should also.

My favorites this week are Steve Stricker, J.B. Holmes, Retief Goosen, Matt Kuchar, and long shot first timer Charl Schwartzel. Only Fuzzy and Gene Sarazen won their inaugural Masters so he's a definite long shot even though playing well at the moment. Sticker has been specifically practicing for Augusta; he has the length, touch on the greens, and temperament to survive Augusta's rolling hills.

In fact all my favorites portray similar traits except J.B.  His extreme length, if he tempers it at times keeping the ball in the fairway, should bring the par fives tumbling and make it easier to play the difficult threes and fours. If he'd take a local Augusta caddy who can read the greens I'd make him my hands on favorite. The local knowledge around this tract is better than any first time tour caddy or friend could offer a pro.

Once we get past the Tiger circus it should be a great week. Augusta is often plagued with inclement weather but this year's forecast is good making for a lot of roars on the back nine Sunday afternoon.

If you want more behind the scenes stories about the Masters go to MarksKaddyKorner.com and dip into the April 2009 archives.