AUGUSTA -- Three old guys were a little short off the tee at 7:40 a.m, then withdrew. Slackers.
The 79th Masters officially opened after ceremonial tee shots by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. What a cool gig that is -- hit a shot, have a press conference, eat lunch, take the rest of the week off. Every profession needs an equivalent to that for honored retirees. (Honored retired sportswriter: Ask the first question in a news conference, mock the answer, leave, go to dinner.)
Back to today. Tiger Woods tees off at 1:48. I point that out first for: 1) Page views; 2) Just to irritate the loud 2 percent of readers who complain, "Why do you always write about Tiger Woods."
Spoke to Ben Crenshaw and Jordan Spieth, who practiced with Woods on Wednesday. (Click here to read a column on the retiring Crenshaw and his final Masters.) Both said Woods is hitting the ball well and suggested he could challenge this week. Woods was entertaining at his news conference this week and is exuding more confidence than ever, by my expectations aren't as high, given recent results and the fact he's coming back from a nine-week layoff.
My pick for the tournament : Jordan Spieth (1:15 p.m. tee time). The 21-year-old 2013 PGA Rookie of the Year nearly became the youngest Masters winner a year ago, leading by two strokes on Sunday, before settling for a second-place tie, three shots behind Bubba Watson.
I got Watson (9:24 a.m.) with the fifth pick in our annual Masters' draft. A value pick. He's trying to become only the fourth champion to successfully defend a title (Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Woods).
Rory McIlroy (10:41 a.m.) is the wagering favorite. He has won four majors but never the Masters, and has had his share of meltdowns in Augusta .
As I finish this, Charley Hoffman, Gary Woodland and Vijay Singh are tied for the lead at 1-under. I don't expect that to last.
Who's your pick?
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