For 76 years every iconic figure in the game of golf has walked the fairways and has driven the revered “Magnolia Lane” of the Augusta National Golf Club. When legendary golfing icon Bobby Jones designed Augusta National he envisioned a course that would attract serene beauty, yet still present quite a test. Augusta National’s “Amen Corner” (Holes 11, 12 and 13) brings a level of great difficulty especially during a final round when this stretch of holes could prove the difference between victory and defeat. Annually, Augusta holds The Masters Tournament, which is held in the first part of April and is home to some of the most magical and remarkable moments in the history of golf. Golfing legends such as Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods have all won this prestigious event.
This year marks the 76th playing of The Masters, and the competition this year is as high and wide-open as it has ever been.
The top two players in the world, England’s Luke Donald and Northern Ireland’s Rory Mcilroy, both come in as previous winners on the PGA Tour and are playing at a very high level. Three-time Master’s Champion Phil Mickelson, of the United States, is playing as well as he has been for a long time and Hunter Mahan, also of the United States, comes to Augusta after previously winning the week earlier at the Shell Houston Open. Then, of course, there’s Tiger Woods who is coming off a great win two weeks ago at Bay Hill for the first time in nearly two and a half years.
Every insane sports fan has a special place in his heart for The Masters. It’s one of the greatest sporting events in American history, and brings thrill and excitement like no other golf tournament. First round play starts this Thursday and the final round is on Sunday. You can see complete coverage on ESPN and CBS.