The 82nd Masters is among the more highly anticipated in recent years with the expected return to the course at Augusta National Golf Club of Tiger Woods.
That alone brings along marginal golf fans as ratings have soared the past two events Woods has played.
Add in the numerous PGA Tour players who are at the top of their games in the past few weeks (Bubba Watson, Justin Thomas, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, among others) and the back nine on Sunday could be one for the ages for anyone remotely interested in the game.
Meanwhile there was a highly anticipated debut on Sunday of the new Masters Golf Shop, built where the previous merchandise pavilion was located, and the old media center was razed and has expanded concessions in that area. More to come later today.
A few other things to pay attention to on Monday as the practice rounds begin and the buildup toward Thursday’s first shot gains momentum:
- Check out the photo galleries by AJC photographer Curtis Compton. Longtime Augusta National photographers say the course is in the best shape of any time in memory.
- Reminder to patrons: Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.
- The Par 3 contest is set as usual for a noon start on Wednesday. The forecast is for terrific Masters weather on Monday and Tuesday, but there is an early 80 percent chance of thunderstorms Wednesday morning that could impact your day.
- The AJC has had extensive coverage leading into this event. Check out the following links to stories below. The Cox Media Group collaboration on the Masters includes Zach Klein of Channel 2 Action News along with the AJC team of Steve Hummer, Jeff Schultz, Tom Stinson, Chris Vivlamore, Ray Cox and Curtis Compton providing coverage daily on AJC.com and myAJC.com.
- Steve Hummer took at a look at Tiger Woods and also the best players yet to win a major tourney who might break through as Sergio Garcia did a year ago.
- Chris Vivlamore took a look through history at the Masters on the Eights, the winners in those years ending in eight as part of our look ahead to the 80th Masters. See the 2008 memory here that also has links at the bottom of that story to the previous winner's stories.
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