Is there anything else you could want this year at the masters? Maybe collard greens and fried chicken (Thanks Fuzzy Zoeller). But seriously, Tiger’s triumphant return, speculation if he will answer any of his critics, and even other golfers doubting whether he can win it all, can you say bulletin board material to the most dangerous cat in the field? If those texts are any indication, he may be pounding balls down the fairways and sinking putts down the competition’s throats until they are sore. But what we are all waiting for is the return of normalcy and comfort. The comfort that golf has its heart back. Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny his game, his passion, and most importantly, what so many other golfers including Phil do not have, that killer instinct and fist pump. What we WILL witness next week and weekend is easily the most anticipated return to golf since Ben Hogan came back after a near-fatal car accident in 1949 to win the 1950 US Open and what has the makings to be one of the most memorable golf tournaments of our lifetime. But, unfortunately we may be left wondering why were watching re-runs of As the World Turns and not getting to see many live shots of Tiger on Thursday or Friday. As is known, Augusta National Golf Course offers the least amount of Television coverage of any major, although having the highest ratings (Come on it’s a tradition unlike any other) and consistently wields its power to ensure TV networks only get the coverage they are allotted. But guess what folks, Augusta has given us some concessions this year in response to the Tiger sighting. We’ll all be sitting on the couch waiting for Tiger and his group to tee-off on the first hole because that is all we are going to get, especially if he’s in an early tee time. Instead the rest of the day until ESPN’s broadcast from 4-730 PM broadcast, we will all be in the dark hoping to find some feed on the internet and satisfying our urges by… no not Joslyn James, bits and pieces of the tourney through minor segments from SportsCenter, freaking out like an addict trying to get our fix of Tiger after a 144 day layoff. Although this sounds excruciatingly painful, like watching Jean Van De Velde choke, and before you jump out of your office window, take comfort in the fact that at least Jim Nantz will be satisfying all of our needs all weekend as CBS will have coverage 3:30-7 PM on Saturday and 3-7 PM on Sunday. In my mind though this is still fucking bullshit, if these women hating bastards from Augusta do not want to give full coverage then make a pay-per-view event. Although I may be an anomaly, I want to see all of this, and not just because I’m a golf fanatic. It’s because I’m human and love drama even if my boy Tiger is the center of it. So let the countdown begin until the circus arrives at Augusta for the practice rounds and Tiger’s press conference Monday. And may we get beautiful weather for next Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As a matter of fact give us great weather for Wednesday also since there is a par three contest being held people, duh. Until the weekend, make some bets folks and pray Augusta gives ESPN at least some live coverage of Tiger on Thursday and Friday, and if we can‘t get it, hope that Augusta will give us full coverage of maybe some Joslyn James videos?
Here’s to betting on this glorious event, and mainly me getting my fix? Lines Via Sportsbook.com
Favorite: Tiger +350 - You have to be smoking crack on the mean streets of Baltimore to think he’s not the favorite. I don’t care if he hasn’t played competitive golf in 11 months or has been in and out of rehab. On a bad day he may still be able to beat the field, but when he’s on NO ONE on the tour can touch him. NO ONE, PERIOD.
Field + 800- If you’re a joke and have no backbone then take the field. If you do, do not ever speak to the sports machine again.
Top Tier
Phil Mickelson +900- Phil is no longer as big of a choke artist as he used to be, at least because its not a US Open (2006 Winged foot, 2004 Shinnecock Hills… I’ll go on forever). Lefty has game, he’s got a green jacket, he’s experienced and believe it or not he outplayed Tiger when they were paired together in last years final round of the Masters. Phil is dangerous and he’s hungry, no I’m not making fun of his man boobs, he wants to rain on Tiger’s parade and he would love to bring another one home to his wife, Amy.
Ernie Els +1000- I am not going to throw out stats on the Big Easy, but if you don’t know who Ernie is start watching more of the sports machine. Coming off of a win at Bay Hill, he has the momentum going into Augusta.
Padraig Harrington +1500- In Tiger’s absence due to his knee injury, Harrington dominated winning three of six majors. He has the game to get back to the summit, don’t be surprised if Paddy Power is making a push this weekend.
Steve Stricker +2000- A fixture of consistency on the tour and for the American Ryder Cup team, the number two player in the world, Stricker can putt like the best of them and has a swing as smooth as Jiffy PB. It is about time for him to win a big one, and hey if Trevor Immelman can, why not Stricker?
Retief Goosen +2500- The man’s a winner, and he has proven to come back and play well when it matters. He has won two US Opens and he will want nothing more than to wear a green jacket at the end of the weekend after finishing runner-up at the masters in’02 and ’07. Do not count this guy out; he has as smooth of a swing as I’ve seen, and if he’s leading come Sunday I do not expect him to give it up easily, unless El Tigre comes prowling.
Jim Furyk +2500- What more could this guy want, he’s boys with Joe Torre, has a beak as big as a toucan, but he still has some bones to pick. “The Grinder” as he’s known is dangerous and I see him making some noise next weekend vying for his first Master’s title.
Geoff Ogilvy +2500- The thunder from down under has a US Open title to his resume and would love to add a Masters title. Being a top ten golfer in the world, he has what it takes to take it home.
Sergio Garcia +5000- At this point I don’t know if he will ever win a big one. For all the talent he has, he is just too shaky on the greens. He has the talent to win it, but I wouldn’t trust him with my life standing above a three-foot putt. I guess that’s why they say drive for show, putt for dough.
Young Guns
Rory McIlroy +3000- He’s still a kid, still not even legal to drink in the US, but he’s a BOSS. He had two top 10 finishes at majors in his first year turning pro, and at 20 years of age, we may be watching the future star of the tour, right now.
Anthony Kim +4000- AK set the record for most birdies in a round at the Masters (11) in ’09 and has shown he can play well at Augusta. Is he the future Tiger in American Golf? Either in his golf game or with the women both sound good to me. He’s young, competitive, and tested on the tour, and it may be time for AK’s coming out party. As long as AK gets back to what helped him at Oklahoma a.k.a. getting shit faced the night before, this man can get it done.
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