MASTERS NEWS OF THE DAY

A daily look at the happenings during the 78th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

The reigning winners of the 2013 majors respond

Q: How strong is the motivation to get to world No. 1?

A: Adam Scott, Masters champ: Yeah, there's absolutely motivation, but the motivation is just to play well. I feel like my game is at a point where if I play well, I have got a chance to win this tournament. That's my goal that week. And the follow on from that would be world No. 1. I've had a couple (tries) at that the last couple times I've played, and it hasn't worked out. I just think you just have to keep playing well consistently to be No. 1.

Q: Does coming to your ninth Masters feel any different since you’re bringing the Open title with you?

A: Justin Rose, U.S. Open champ: I think you do come in here looking at increasing your tally of major championships … but to feel like you can go on in your career to win multiple major championships and knock off your next one that you haven't won. So you're in a sense trying to work your way through all of them. But at least knowing you've won a major championship and knowing that you've faced those emotions before and you've come through, it's a huge benefit turning up here this week.

Q: Can you describe the pressure as you reached that moment of winning your first major title in 2004?

A: Phil Mickelson, British Open champ: I always believed I would win. I never had a doubt I would win one, but if I could win one, I felt like I would win more, and that's why I felt the pressure to win the first one was so great. When things start going bad and you haven't won one, it's hard to get control of your thoughts and start to refocus on what you want to have and what you want your ball to do and your swing to do.

Q: Did you have thoughts of what’s next after you won the PGA?

A: Jason Dufner, PGA champ: No, I don't think so. I don't concern (myself) with what's next too much. I don't have those thoughts. I think that's the great thing about being a professional golfer. That's the beauty of life; you never know what is next. … I'm concerned about what I'm going to be doing here at the Masters, how I prepare, how I practice. So I just don't think in those terms. I know that surprises a lot of people when I say that, but I try to stay in the moment and enjoy what's going on with me and my life at this moment, and we'll figure out what's next when it happens.

WORDS WITH … JASON DUFNER

Q: How long does it take to feel comfortable and get to know this place?

A: You know, I think I'm starting to get there (after three trips). … I get a lot of practice in, and I've been coming here since 2010 was my first Masters. Since then I've been coming on the Wednesday before. I've been here since Wednesday afternoon. I've played a good bit of golf and practiced a ton. So I feel pretty comfortable about knowing everything that I need to know about the golf course. But it requires a lot of skill to avoid some of the spots that you point out that you don't want to be in.

Q: Do you feel like the golf course is playing any differently now than it did the past two years?

A: No. I think it's pretty consistent. … They do a good job here making it consistent Thursday through the end of the tournament on Sunday. I think barring any strange weather conditions during the rounds, the golf course stays fairly consistent throughout the week, which makes it a little bit easier for us. We know what to expect each day.

Q: You talked about being a student of history, and obviously in the past you’ve mentioned your fondness for (Ben) Hogan. Does studying history play any part in your preparation for a tournament, especially one like this where the course obviously has a lot of history?

A: Yeah, I think the way I prepare for all the majors kind of is a throwback. I remember reading a lot of stories about Mr. Nicklaus, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Trevino, talking to Mr. Trevino about how they practiced and prepared for the events, and they would go on-site a good bit early. They would play the golf course a lot. They would practice at the golf course to kind of get the feel for how things were going to be. I've stuck true to that just about every major I've played since I've been fully exempt for them in 2010.

MEET FIRST-TIMER JORDAN SPIETH

Of the 24 first-timers in this Masters, perhaps none is more apt to being a serious contender than Jordan Spieth.

Already a winner on the PGA Tour at 20 (he turns 21 in July), he also played on the U.S. Presidents Cup team and has had three top-five finishes this season.

He considers this week to be a dream, but doesn’t seem in awe of the place.

“It’s incredible. This is heaven on earth to us, and to me specifically. This is a tournament I’ve grown up watching and always dreamt and still continue to dream of winning some day. Whether that’s a few days from now or years in the future, hopefully one day I can have that green jacket.”

Spieth spent some time with his elders — Ben Crenshaw and Tom Watson — on Monday around the practice green just hearing stories, but also spent some time gathering information.

“My caddie has talked to (Crenshaw caddie) Carl Jackson, had a couple long conversations that he’s learned a lot about.

“A couple of the things I don’t necessarily want to share. Mr. Crenshaw talked to me a lot about just the pull on the greens and just how you really need to watch out … not for the break of the greens but for the speed.”

As for the typical struggles of most first-timers?

“If I can get my game ready and play to the right spots and play smart golf and play my ‘A’ Game, then I believe that I have a chance.”

ANNIVERSARY FIT FOR A KING

Arnold Palmer said he plans to continue to hit the ceremonial first tee at the Masters as long chairman Billy Payne wants him to.

“If he wants me to hit that first tee shot and I have to crawl, that’s what I’ll do,” he said Tuesday.

Palmer is a four-time Masters winner, the last coming 50 years ago in 1964.

Palmer said he was disappointed that he never won another Masters after beating Dave Marr and Jack Nicklaus by six strokes.

He said that victory fulfilled a wish he had of finally being able to walk up the 18th fairway feeling comfortable. His three previous wins were by one stroke in 1958, one stroke in 1960 and a playoff in 1962.

MICKELSON’S WAGER OF THE DAY

By his own admission, Phil Mickelson’s Tuesday practice round was less than stellar. He was carried by his partner Rickie Fowler in their little match against Jason Dufner and Dustin Johnson.

“(Fowler) went on a tear. He shot 30 on the front nine, he eagled 13, birdied 15, I think, birdied 17 and 18. He played remarkable golf,” Mickelson reported.

One wager Mickelson didn’t win was with a fan standing behind the par-3 sixth, who dared to offer an opinion about Mickelson’s renowned short game after he missed the green. It evolved into a $1 side bet.