The sun has risen over Augusta National Golf Club, giving us a first glimpse of the course ahead of this week’s long-awaited Masters.
While the blossoms of the famed azaleas are not as spectular as they are in April, there are still some late bloomers holding on for dear life in November.
The famous blooming shrubs behind the greens at Nos. 12 and 13 are void of color.
The early-week forcast calls for cloudy skies with some rain throughout the week. There is an 80% chance of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected in the low 80s to start the week with a dip to the 70s as the tournament progresses.
With rain in the forecast, Patrick Cantlay expects the course to play soft for November play.
“I would say the course is just a little softer right now, and the grass is just a little longer,” Cantlay said. "And I think the biggest difference will just be once the rain starts to come this week, it looks like it’s just going to rain every day, and I was surprised to see actually how warm it is this week for a November week. I was expecting cooler weather.
“So warm and rain showers this week, so I’m sure the golf course will play soft.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is here on the grounds as players have arrived for practice rounds and interviews in preparation for the start of the tournament on Thursday.
New cut line
This year, the top 50 players and ties will make the cut for the final 36 holes. From 2013-19, the cut line was top 50 players and ties and those within 10 strokes of the lead.
Prior to that the cuts were low 44 and within 10 strokes of the lead (1962-2012) and low 40 and ties (1959-1961).
No spectators
Well, while the general public will not be allowed in this year, there will be some people on the course. With Augusta National members and guests and player guests, there will likely be between 700 and 1,000 people each day.
The course is also quite different without specator stands and ropes and will give television viewers a glimpse of what the golf course looks like most of the time.
Odds
According to SportsBettingDime.com, Bryson DeChambeau is the Masters favorite at 12-to-1. Dustin Johnson is second at 13-to-1 and Jon Rahm is fourth at 14-to-1.
The rest of the top 25 odds are: Rory McIlroy (16/1), Justin Thomas (16/1), Brooks Koepka (21/1), Xander Schauffele (24/1), Patrick Cantlay (33/1), Hideki Matsuyama (38/1), Patrick Reed (38/1), Tiger Woods (39/1), Bubba Watson (40/1), Tyrrell Hatton (41/1), Collin Morikawa (41/1), Tony Finau (44/1), Webb Simpson (48/1), Matthew Wolff (50/1), Jason Day (52/1), Tommy Fleetwood (59/1), Adam Scott (61/1), Jordan Spieth (70/1), Louis Oosthuizen (77/1), Rickie Fowler (82/1), Scottie Scheffler (90/1) and Justin Rose (94/1).
First timer
Collin Morikawa will be playing in his first Masters. In fact, Monday was the first time he even stepped foot on the grounds of Augusta National.
He’s trying to keep the fan in him at a minimum, even when he first saw Amen Corner.
“(Justin Rose) brought me over on 11 and he was talking about the first time he walked over, kind of 11, the crest, walking down and you see 11 and 12,” Morikawa said of his practice round Monday. "And you know, I got a good sense and I got a good smile out of it.
“But I’m so focused in on playing good golf out here and trying to figure out this course, because I think if I get intertwined in trying to be a spectator, I’m going to miss some shots and I’m going to miss some areas where I need to really prep and focus in.”
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