AUGUSTA — A gangsome of things to know as the 80th Masters gets underway Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club:
1. Soaring scoring: The big storm blew through overnight, knocking down a few trees in Augusta (no reported damage on the course itself). There is a wind advisory in effect till 8 p.m. with winds 20-30 mph and gusts to 45 mph. Most of that will come in the afternoon if the forecast holds true. So golfers going out early will have an advantage. Among top players, Rickie Fowler who starts at 9:26 a.m. and defending champ Jordan Spieth (9:48 a.m.) may benefit most. Those late in the day who could be shaking their heads by sunset include Jason Day (1:06 p.m. tee time) and Rory McIlroy (2:01 p.m. in the final grouping).
2. Happy go lucky: Phil Mickelson, the three-time Masters champ, seems more playful than usual and enters having played reasonably well for several weeks. (In five of seven 2016 appearances, he has finished T13 or better.) He starts at 10:43 a.m. in a group with Australian Marc Leishman and Sweden's Henrik Stenson. Mickelson said Tuesday: "I feel like I'm in some of the best shape I've been in. I feel like my game is starting to, I'm driving the ball better than I have in well over a decade, and my game is I'm so excited to play golf."
3. Final trips: Tom Watson begins his 43rd and final Masters at 9:15 a.m. He spoke earlier in the week about his first time and just trying to make the cut and that will be his only goal for the next two days.
4. UGA vs. Tech: For those keeping score, it's UGA 4 and Tech 2 in the field. Two-time winner and top Dog Bubba Watson, who has won in even-numbered years (2012 and 2014) hopes he can keep that going when he begins at 12:44 p.m. Matt Kuchar holds up the Georgia Tech end, and is still attempting to win his first major. He begins at 1:06 p.m. in a group with Jason Day and Ernie Els and should get reasonable TV time in the afternoon.
5. Ceremonial tee shots: Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus hit their shots with Arnold Palmer watching at 8 a.m. under clear blue skies.
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