My Top 10 Storylines Entering Masters Week

Every single year when we get to this week, we’re pretty much guaranteed some kind of interesting story. But when the Masters ended last year, I don’t think any of us could have expected the kind of event we would be witnessing this year. So with that being said, here are my top ten storylines this week at Augusta.

1. Tiger’s Tale, Part One – The Press Conference

I suppose we should include the return of Tiger Woods somewhere on this list, ya know, since it’s a little bit of a story this week. There’s so many different ways you can go with this one, that we’re going to split it up a few ways. First, let’s discuss the impact of Monday’s press conference on him.

With it being the first time that Woods has publicly spoke to golf writers, it’s going to be a very intriguing setup. No, you won’t have the TMZ’s of the world in there asking him questions, but you can bet that there will be a few writers that might try to push the envelope just a little bit. I wouldn’t expect anything too outrageous though since it’s taking place at the controlled environment of the Masters, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see what Tiger discusses and what he doesn’t discuss.

Will this press conference impact anything in his game this week? I don’t think so. You can look at one of two ways. Either Tiger will be a little flustered after having to sit there and talk with writers that he didn’t allow in when he had his public apology a while, which could cause a few of them to try and stir up something small. Or he could find it to be a huge relief, which will allow him to focus more on his game these next few days. I would expect the latter from Tiger.

2. Tiger’s Tale, Part Two – The Fans

Another aspect this week that will draw attention will be that of the fan’s reaction to him. From all that I’ve read thus far about his practice round this morning, fans in attendance seemed to react very well to him and gave him the usual “Go Tiger” type of response. But that’s at a practice round, and with a whole lot less fans than what will be the case on Thursday when Tiger tees off. But again, it all goes back to the environment.

If this were, say the British Open, then it may be a free for all out there. Who knows what types of things we would see (or may see once the tournament rolls around at St. Andrews this year) from the patrons in attendance. But at the Masters, I would expect nothing over-the-top to occur. Sure, there will be one fan out there who tries to get noticed, and will undoubtedly say something ridiculously stupid, but he’ll be escorted out of there rather quickly.

I would expect a large ovation for him as he steps into the tee box for his opening round, and I think he’ll still be the fan favorite to win the tournament all week long.

3. Tiger’s Tale, Part Three – The Golf

Now that we’ve got the off-course stuff out of the way, it’s time to turn to the actual event itself. The biggest question of all this week will be how Tiger plays, and whether or not he could actually win this thing. Personally, I always hate picking against Tiger. And usually when I do, he goes out and dominates the rest of the field. But this week, I’m not as hesitant to pick against him. So there, I said it. I’m officially picking against Tiger at Augusta, or in other words, go bet your money on Tiger to win.

I just don’t see how he could come out and play to the best of his ability in his first week back. If there’s one guy that could do it, it’s Tiger, that’s for sure. However, it isn’t going to happen this time around, and too many other guys are playing great golf right now for that to occur. He might be the favorite in the minds of many, but not in mine. I would expect Tiger to struggle early, and then perhaps have a few solid rounds on the weekend to put him at least within a few shots of the lead, but I can’t pick him to win it this year given the circumstances.

4. The Sexy Pick is…..

Every year at the Masters, there’s always someone that the public and media tends to latch onto as a sexy pick to win the tournament. This year, I’d have to say that particular player is Fred Couples. And why not? Couples has already won three times on the Champions Tour this year, and has had success at Augusta in the past, winning it back in 1992. Some people will be pushed away by the fact that he’s missed the cut the past two years at the event, but I think this is a different kind of year for Couples.

His confidence is very high right now, and we all know how much that means at a course like Augusta National. If he can get off to a good start, it’ll wipe away the thoughts of missing a third straight cut. He finished tied for 55th at the Shell Houston Open this past week, but I wouldn’t put any stock in that heading into this week. I expect Couples to play well, and expect him to be in contention on the weekend.

5. The Big Easy Looks to Continue 2010 Success

While Tiger is a storyline in and of himself this week, I’d also venture to say that Ernie Els is also quite the golfing phenomenon heading into the week. Like Couples, Ernie has had the success this year to warrant being a strong favorite at the Masters. He’s already won twice this season, and shot a 69 in the final round at Houston this past week to carry a little momentum into this week’s event. There’s a reason why Els is the third favorite according to Vegas odds this week, behind the usual top two.

Ernie’s power off the tee is what I like at a course like this, since this course has certainly becoming harder over the years. And although Ernie isn’t incredibly accurate off the tee all the time, he can make up for it. But, keep this in mind. Ernie’s missed the last three cuts at Augusta, so the course hasn’t particularly treated him well as of late. Just like Couples though, I think this is a different kind of year for him. I’d be shocked if he missed the cut a fourth straight year.

6. Can Anthony Kim Go Streaking?

I’ve already told you that Anthony Kim is my pick to win the Masters…..maybe. After Kim’s victory at the Shell Houston Open, he enters this week with a lot of momentum, despite the fact that he pretty much gave away the victory on Sunday for a few minutes, before regaining it on the first playoff hole against Vaughn Taylor. But a win is a win in this sport, and Kim is looking to turn three career wins into four this week at the Masters.

You can never really underestimate momentum in this sport, but then again, you can never really place too much value on it either. Golf changes from day to day, and so do the conditions of the course. We all remember Kim’s 11 birdies in a round last year at Augusta, and if he were to make a few early on, he could definitely be setting himself up for a shot at the green jacket on Sunday. It won’t be easy, but when you’re young like Kim and have the confidence that he has right now, nothing is out of the realm of possibility.

7. Speaking of Young Guys…..

We also have to talk about the rest of the young guys in the field that are looking to add a major championship to their record this week. Camilo Villegas has already found success this year by winning the Honda Classic, and was oh so close to a top ten finish last year at Augusta (T13). Then there’s Hunter Mahan who seems to be everyone’s sleeper pick every single year at a major championship, so I mean, he’s gotta be due for one soon, right?

The list goes on and on. Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson, Ross Fisher, and Sean O’Hair all have the game to make a run to the top this week. While experience is a necessary attribute at Augusta, it can be done without it. Just ask guys like Trevor Immelman. While some of the experienced veterans like Couples and Els might be hot picks this week, don’t underestimate the possibilities in this group.

8. Don’t Forget About Phil

With all the “new” storylines that have come about in the past few months entering the tournament, it’s easy to forget about Phil Mickelson. The lefty has had a quiet start to the year, with only one top ten finish to his credit in seven starts this season, and hasn’t played to the level that we thought he might early on. After the strong finish in 2009, most, including myself, jumped on the Phil bandwagon and proclaimed that 2010 would be his year.

He can still have a great year, and a win at the Masters would certainly be the way to get his season jump-started to say the least. His putting has left something to be desired as of late, and that’s gonna need to change this week for him to have a chance. But Phil will definitely have to straighten out his troubles off the tee, which caused him major problems in Houston. If he can do that, well, he’s Phil Mickelson. He’ll have a shot this week.

9. But Wait…..What About the Guy Wearing the Jacket?

The average golf fan will probably be able to tell you that Angel Cabrera won the 2009 Masters, but unfortunately, it likely won’t be because of Angel’s great play. They’ll tell you that Kenny Perry lost the tournament first. And well, he pretty much did. So now we ponder this: despite the fact that Cabrera hasn’t had a very good year thus far, is there a chance that he could repeat at Augusta, and not even have to put that green jacket on anyone else?

Sure, he could. But it’s highly unlikely. Tiger did it in 2002 and 2003. Nick Faldo did it in 1989 and 1990. Jack Nicklaus did it 1965 and 1966. But that’s a pretty accomplished group to the say the least. Can we really expect Cabrera to do the same? I think you’ve got to give him a shot due to his success last year, but I don’t think there’s any way that he repeats as Masters champion.

10. The Highest Rated Golf Tournament of All-Time?

This week is always different. But this year, it could be different for yet another reason. There’s a very good chance that this could be the most watched golf tournament of all-time. And while golf fans have many more storylines to follow besides Tiger, that won’t matter to the average person who doesn’t always watch golf. They’ll be tuning in to watch Tiger, and see how he responds following the fall from grace that he’s had over the past several months. It won’t just be golf writers and golf publications covering this story, it’ll be tons of news outlets all over the world.

It’s hard to even imagine what the number might be when the ratings come out, because this could that big of a spectacle. Oh, and if Tiger’s in the hunt heading into the weekend? That’s a whole different story. People will be at home, and they will be watching. So get ready golf fans, because this year, the “tradition unlike any other” theme will definitely ring true.