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Beginning Thursday, four days of professional golf will be played on the most perfectly manicured and picturesque golf course on the entire planet.
The iconic Augusta National Golf Club in northeastern Georgia will be the focus as the 2025 Masters Tournament is played this weekend.
Though I’ve never been on the hallowed grounds of this historic golf course (sniff, sniff), let’s take a look at some of the big stories surrounding the first major golf tournament of the year.
The weather will create low scoring conditions this weekend
The National Weather Service is calling for rain beginning after Round 1 concludes Thursday evening and into the early morning hours on Friday.
Another inch of rain will soften the golf course and allow golf balls to stop quicker on the lightning fast greens at Augusta National Golf Club.
Outside of the rain on Thursday night, the sun will shine on Saturday and Sunday with little wind to affect the golfers.
Temperatures over the weekend will approach perfection. Expect afternoon temperatures to reach 70 degrees with overnight lows in the mid-40’s.
That suggests exceptionally good scoring conditions this week. It wouldn’t surprise me if The Masters’ record total of 20-under par set by Dustin Johnson in 2020 comes under attack late Sunday afternoon.
Hurricane Helene downed a lot of trees at this golf course last fall
There are thousands of trees on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
Last fall, Category 1 Hurricane Helene blew through this lovely golf course and caused significant tree damage to several holes on the back nine.
Some of the golfers utilize several of the now-downed trees to serve as aiming points for their first or second shots. Despite the changes in optics, fewer trees on the course should make for less trouble for the golfers this weekend.
For the 17th time, Rory McIlroy tries to win his first Masters green jacket
Has it really been 16 years since a young Rory McIlroy first came to play golf at The Masters? Everyone expected that he would probably have one or two green jackets in his bedroom closet by now.
Rory McIlroy is now 35 years of age.
He has one second place finish (2022) among seven top-10 finishes at The Masters. Northern Ireland’s top golfer is considered one of the pre-tournament favorites again this week.
With a win, Rory McIlroy would become just the sixth player to have won all four major golf championships. The current Grand Slam winners are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
In my humble opinion, Rory would be wise to keep his sometimes wayward driver in the bag for most of the day. Whenever his tee shots remain in the fairway, McIlroy gains confidence and is usually in the hunt.
With fewer trees at Augusta National this year, Rory’s ability to stay out of the jungle off the tee and find success in navigating the exceptionally fast greens this week will be his keys to victory.
Where’s Tiger?
Five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods is not in the field this week.
He is recovering from his latest malady – an Achilles tendon injury which required surgery in March. Woods was a no-show for Tuesday night’s annual Masters Champions dinner (hosted by last year’s champion Scottie Scheffler).
Earlier in the week, Tiger Woods made an announcement that he will redesign a new 9-hole short course at the former location of Augusta Municipal Golf Course.
This new facility will be open to the public and bear the name, “The Loop at The Patch.” It will also provide an exceptional golf training facility with an emphasis on developing young golfers.
Scottie Scheffler tries for a rare Masters repeat
Just three other golfers have won The Masters in consecutive years. Jack Nicklaus (1965-1966), Nick Faldo (1989-1990), and Tiger Woods (2001-2002).
Scottie Scheffler’s win last year was his second Green Jacket. The other came in 2022.
Like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler has the capability of getting “in the zone” and rolling off several birdies in a row. Winning twice on this golf course certainly makes him a formidable contender this week.
Scheffler’s winning score of 11 under par won in 2024. The relatively benign weather conditions expected in Augusta, Georgia will likely require a much lower score to win this week.
The Dirty Dozen from LIV Golf wants to send the PGA Tour a message
There are 95 golfers in this week’s field at The Masters. That includes 12 LIV Golf members with a track record of success on this golf course.
Within the LIV Golf contingent, there are seven former Masters champions.
Phil Mickelson has three Green Jackets. Now 54, Lefty has played well in the past two LIV Golf events and always has a chance at Augusta National if his putting warms up.
LIV Golf also features former Masters winners like Charl Schwartzel (2011), Bubba Watson (2012 and 2014), Sergio Garcia (2017), Patrick Reed (2018), Dustin Johnson (2020), and Jon Rahm (2023).
Other LIV Golf players competing this week include 2-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, 4-time major champion Brooks Koepka, former Open Champion Cameron Smith plus Joaquin Niemann and Tyrell Hatton.
Expect at least one LIV golfer to finish in the top five this week at The Masters.
“The Oldies but Goodies Show” – starring Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples
The length of Augusta National Golf Club has been extended several times in recent decades.
When Germany’s Berhnard Langer won his two Green Jackets in 1985 and 1993 and Fred Couples captured the title in 1992, the golf course measured over 6,900 yards.
Since their Green Jacket ceremonies, the golf clubs and golf balls have been re-engineered to hit the ball significantly longer.
On Thursday, Augusta National Golf Club will measure nearly 7,500 yards. That is nine percent longer than when the now 68-year old Bernhard Langer and 65-year old Freddie Couples won on this golf course.
Masters tradition allows for all of its former champions to tee it up with the youngsters as long as the golfer feels he is able to compete effectively. Most senior golfers do not fare well on a lengthy golf course and can become embarrassed after carding a score of 80 or higher for 18 holes.
This week, Bernhard Langer advised The Masters that this will be his final year as a competitor at Augusta National Golf Club.
Langer mustered-up a smile while mentioning how difficult it is to compete when hitting a hybrid club into the green while the younger golfers are hitting 8-irons or less.
Indeed!
Fred Couples said that he wants to make the cut this year.
If he does make his 24th career cut, expect Freddie back again next April if his back remains strong.
How to watch The Masters
Thursday/Friday – Masters.com @ 8:15AM CDT. ESPN coverage from 2PM-6:30PM
Saturday/Sunday – Masters.com @ 9:15AM. CBS coverage from 1PM-6PM
Five golfers to watch this week
No one will be shocked if the two favorites (Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler) are battling for the lead on Sunday afternoon. Here are five other golfers who I believe may have a shot to be in contention coming down the stretch.
Brian Harmon – Last week’s winner of the PGA Tour event in San Antonio, the left handed Brian Harmon is considered a long-shot this week. One of the shorter hitters on tour, Harmon plays a gritty style of golf. His driving accuracy and putting are “hot” right now, so don’t be surprised if he is in contention for the Green Jacket this weekend.
Phil Mickelson – At 54 years young, Phil-the-Thrill thrives on being counted out – especially at The Masters. Another lefty like Brian Harmon, Mickelson’s top ten finish at LIV Golf’s Miami tournament last week showed that Phil is cranking the ball off the tee a long way with improving putting. Watch out!
Viktor Hovland – Seeking his first major championship, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy (who resides in Stillwater today) won his last PGA event at the difficult Copperhead Golf Course at Innisbrook Resort near Tampa, Florida. Hovland is young, very talented, quite hungry, and will either soar or falter quickly this week.
Cameron Young – This young man (also looking for his first major title) seems to be near the top of the leaderboard in most of golf’s majors. He finished in 9th place last season and 7th in 2023. His game is well suited for this golf course. You’ve been warned.
Sergio Garcia – The 2017 Masters champion, the 41-year old still hits lasers for iron shots. In recent LIV Golf events, Sergio has putted extremely well, too. He comes into the Masters playing at a very high level.
Woo hoo! It’s the best four days of the golf year. Enjoy Masters week!