Fore, please -- 78th Masters running thread

[MileHigh]

Hello, friends.

A tradition unlike any other -- though no Eldrick. Phil coming off an injury two weeks ago.

Been an odd year it seems on tour so far.

Adam Scott has a great shot at defending.

Though perhaps it could be time for the real passing of the torch from the Tiger/Phil era. Rory to make amends for the debacle in 2011? I really like Jordan Spieth's game/demeanor and would like to see him win. Or some unknown to charge onto the scene ala Zach Johnson, who is coming off a T6 at San Antonio and has had a solid season.

 

[H.L. Mencken]

Rory shot a quiet 65 on Sunday in Houston. He's ready.

Spieth's game has been a bit of a mess the last two weeks. Not happening.

I would definitely bet on a first time major winner though. But Phil will be in contention. He always is in the hunt there.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-host-adam-scott-to-serve-bugs-in-augusta-former-champions-dinner-1975674

Bugs will be served at the Champions Dinner this year.






Moreton Bay Bugs, a type of lobster.

 

[Football_Bat]

No Tiger? OUT! [/75%ofAmerica]

If Rory or Spieth get off to a strong start, I'm 100% plugged in.

 

[2underpar]

I know Jason Day has been hurt, but I still like his chances.
Zach Johnson knows what he's doing at Augusta. So does Angel Cabrera.

 

[Mark2010]

Can't pick Matt Kuchar after watching him fall apart down the stretch on Sunday. Keegan Bradley hasn't been playing great, but he's going to win The Masters one of these years.

And I always like a guy who can putt as well as Steve Stricker.

Still, picking a winner ANY week is as challenging as it's ever been with all the parity in golf right now.

 

[Small Town Guy]

Who's a Tiger fanboy to pull for now? I'm probably going for someone like Westwood or any oldie not named Phil. Not very high on Rory yet, even though he's playing better than last year. The 65 in Houston seems to follow a pattern the past year-plus when he puts together his best rounds when he's already basically out of contention.

Unfortunately, being in South Africa at the moment, I don't think I'll see a second of coverage.

 

[playthrough]

I know Jason Day has been hurt, but I still like his chances.
Zach Johnson knows what he's doing at Augusta. So does Angel Cabrera.

Ditto all that.

Won't budge from the couch all weekend. Bring on the schmaltz, Jimmy Nantz, I can take it.

 

[da man]

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-host-adam-scott-to-serve-bugs-in-augusta-former-champions-dinner-1975674

Bugs will be served at the Champions Dinner this year.

Kill the wabbit!!!

 

[cortez]

Keegan Bradley is a tough watch

 

[Mark2010]

Keegan Bradley is a tough watch

How so?

 

[misterbc]

I'm thinking Stenson has to be the favorite. He's got the look and game of a major championship winner, just a matter of time.
Would love to see Zach win another green jacket.

 

[bigbadeagle]

With no Tiger this year, I would love to go. My attorney is going Thursday with his wife but then he's going out of the country Friday on a case. Don't see me getting my mitts on those badges. Maybe the big bosses will come through and say, hey, come up on the plane again and help us show some clients around.

 

[I Should Coco]

The former Iowan in me would love to see Zach Johnson win his second Masters, and as noted, he's playing well.

If they're in it on Sunday, I'll be pulling for Rory or Jason Day ... both stellar young guns. Day has played the course well when he's not hurt.

And where's the love for Patrick "Top 5" Reed"? Will he back up the talk, or wilt under Augusta pressure? (I'm guessing the latter)

 

[qtlaw]

Its a shame that Dustin cannot putt because course is made to for his powerful game; I'm rooting for Rory simply so I can get his duck hook on the 11th out of my memory and store something else there.

 

[MileHigh]

Notable pairings:

Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed (last group on Friday)
Graham McDowell, Ricky Fowler and Jimmy Walker
Zach Johnson, K.J. Choi, Steve Stricker
Adam Scott, Jason Dufner, Matthew Fitzpatrick
Jason Day, Henrick Stenson, Dustin Johnson
Bubba Watson, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia
Phil, Ernie, Justin Rose (second-to-last group on Thursday)

 

[Mark2010]

Sergio Garcia played pretty well last week, finishing third at the Shell Houston Open. Which probably means he'll stink it up this week.

 

[poindexter]

Keegan Bradley is a tough watch

How so?

Have you ever watched him prepare for a shot or putt?

 

[H.L. Mencken]

Keegan Bradley is a much faster player than Jim Furyk, who never seems to get the kind of **** Kevin Na and Ben Crane do.

 

[Mark2010]

Slow play is affecting everyone. I worked a recent tournament for Golf Channel and the five-hour round was pretty average. Maybe we need a shot clock in golf as well as baseball. It should not take more than 4 1/2 hours to play 18 holes.