PGA Preview: 2012 Masters

Finally the Masters is here!  Where do I start with this?  This is the best week of the year for golfers. Location As I'm sure everyone who knows anything about golf is aware, the Masters is held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.  For details on the course, the design and the challenges, check out yesterday's Killer Course Special Edition - Augusta National. The History Since the Masters is the only major championship played on the same course every year, the venue is full of history and historic shots.  Recently the shot Phil Mickelson hit from the 13th pine straw to reach the par-5 in two comes to mind.  In years past there are shots like the "yes sir!" putt Jack Nicklaus made on the 17th when he won his 6th green jacket at the age of 46 in 1986.  How about the famous "shot heard 'round the world" when Gene Sarazen made an albatross (double eagle)  on the 15th hole in 1935? Last year Charl Schwartzel did something never done before, he birdied the last four holes to win.  The ability to perform such a feat under such pressure on the most famous stage in golf is amazing. The Field The field for the Masters is a different kind of field than any standard PGA Tour event or other major championships.  Masters competitors are all "invited" by the club if they make certain qualifications, such as top 50 in the world, reigning amateur champions, winners in previous majors over x number of years and of course, previous champions. Favorites Following his first win on the PGA Tour in some 2.5 years, Tiger Woods is a favorite.  Woods hasn't won the Masters since 2005. Rory McIlory had the tournament in hand last year, but a meltdown on the 10th opened the door for Charl Scwhartzel to win. Phil Mickelson is playing very well and with two Masters wins, is a statistical favorite as well as crowd favorite. Dark Horses The Masters can produce a dark horse winner now and then, like Charl Schwartzel or Zach Johnson years ago.  Frogger dark horses this week include Louis Oosthuizen, Henrik Stenson or perhaps Sang Moon-Bae. TV & Web Masters.com has many live feeds including Amen Corner (holes 11-13), holes 15-16 and featured groups.  These video feeds start many hours before the network television coverage. The first two days (Thursday/Friday) of TV coverage are on ESPN from 3-7:30PM ET. Saturday and Sunday coverage are on CBS from 3:30-7:00PM ET.