By Ross Mazin
It’s that time of year in the golf world where the elite come to play in the coveted Masters tournament to win that desired Green Jacket. The Masters will kick off from Augusta National next Thursday and the weather looks perfect for this year’s tourney.
Augusta National is 7,435 yards and is one of the most challenging courses on the tour. My favorite hole on this course in the 17th is named Nandina because the berries are considered good luck and you can find these berries at the tee box. This hole is a 440 yards par 4 and the fairway is pretty straight and is guarded by trees on either side. The most intimidating part of this hole is the approach to the green. It is not heavily guarded by bunkers though has two on either side of the front of the green. The green is sloped and depending on where the pin is placed, we could see fewer birdies and more par and bogeys. If you hit a clean drive and are not off to the right or left on your drive you have a good chance at a shot at the green but if you’re in the trees you’re likely punching back out on the fairway (this is not Xbox where you can just go for it) and trying to save par.
As for Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern, he told me his favorite hole is the 9th hole known as Carolina Cherry. It’s a 460-yard par four that plays a slight dogleg left and has the most challenging green on the course. It slopes deep right and most players try to play left and come just short of the bunkers to give them a nice chip to approach the hole and have an easy putt. This hole plays like a par five, it’s a very long par four that will frustrate most players.
As for winning the coveted Green Jacket, Mark and I both like Rory Mcilroy, as he has been better this year than last and is due. Others I think will compete well are Max Homa and Adam Shank. As for the “Old Ops Guy” he also likes Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, and an underdog Cameron Smith.
The Field is set and the course is getting its final trimming and pin placements. Practice rounds will begin shortly and the weather will be gorgeous and time to enjoy a Mint Julep while you watch the best golfers in the world face off for their title shot.
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