50 ways the 2018 Masters is going to be the best Masters ever

The next four days at the 2018 Masters could be the best major championship ever. It’s certainly being hyped this way. There’s so much potential in so many directions. Here are 50 reasons — big, small, inane -- why the 2018 Masters is going to be so good.

1. Tiger Woods — This needs no further expounding. The reason we’re hearing this is “the most anticipated Masters ever” is largely because of Tiger’s return from the depths after missing the last two years.

2. Rory McIlroy — When he’s cooking, Rory is still the best in the game and he’s also the most fun to watch. The Tigermania has obscured the fact that, holy crap, Rory could become just the sixth golfer ever to win the career slam this week. Rory had looked uneven at times this year but his win at Bay Hill a few weeks ago was dominant and threw another jolt into this 2018 Masters.

3. Phil Mickelson — The four-jacket club is just Arnie, Tiger, and Jack. Phil could join and also become the oldest to ever win the Masters, eclipsing Nicklaus’ win in 1986, largely hailed as the most memorable major ever. A Phil win would not carry the same legend as 1986 and he said as much this week in Augusta. That’s because Phil is still competitive at the highest levels and is yet another massive star who enters with his own win in the first quarter of the year. His five-year winless drought is over and he’s got as good a chance as anyone on a course he has memorized.

4. DJ’s revenge — The world No. 1 enters the week after a much quieter Q1 compared to last year, when he won three times before the season’s first major. DJ was a heavy favorite to win the green jacket before a slip and fall on the stairs the night before the first round. It’s one of the flukiest injuries in golf. Now he’s back hopefully with socks that have some traction on them and in a safer Augusta rental home, still carrying that No. 1 ranking.

5. The vape god — Kiradech Aphirbarnat is happy to be called the Asian John Daly. He’s got outrageous Yeezy and Ferrari collections, a wondrous paunch, and has been known to billow immense clouds of vape smoke across the golf course. He is also always happy and an absolute gift to the game.

6. Pro tracer — For the first time ever, tracer technology will be put in play for the Masters TV broadcast. There had been some tracer technology used on the live streams last year, but never on the CBS produced TV coverage. The technology has become as necessary as the first-down line in football. We crave it and need it and now Augusta will allow it on Nos. 9, 10, 13, 15 and 18. Those are some sexy holes that will produce some sexy tracer images all week.

7. A mid-am story from the movies — A full-time firefighter from Brockton, Mass is playing in the damn Masters. Keep tabs on Matt Parziale.

8. South America’s next star — Augusta launched the Latin-America Amateur Championship in 2015, trying to bring the game to new countries and encourage its growth. The fourth winner of the event, Chilean Joaquin Niemann, is an absolute stud. He’s the world No. 1 amateur, hits it a mile, and might be a little bit cocky. He’s also on his way to big things and this is a great opportunity to see that intoxicating game.

9. GP are ya with me? — Gary Player is here doing the usual insane things. We don’t get him all that often in public anymore, but the honorary tee shot is one annual place the 82-year old pops up with his usual mix of amusing quotes on his personal fitness.

10. JT’s ascent — The best player in golf over the last year has been Justin Thomas. So while we talk about Tiger and Phil and Rory and Spieth, JT has a chance to take a second straight major, become world No. 1, and maybe start his own march to a slam.

11. Bubba’s back from the depths — Whatever you think of Bubba, watching him play golf is about as pleasurable an experience as one can have watching golf. He shapes the ball in all sorts of inconceivable ways and having that tracer technology will be a fantastic way to illuminate it at Augusta. There’s also the chance he has some sort of pouty implosion, and that’s always entertaining too.

12. Jim Nantz said so — “I’ve been doing this 33 years, it’s always highly anticipated, but this might be the most anticipated Masters any of us has seen in our lifetime.”

13. Ben Crenshaw on the weekend — Gentle Ben is no longer playing the tournament, but when he joins the Golf Channel pregame shows to walk through the course setup and pin positions, I lock in. It’s like listening to Bill Belichick talk defensive scheme. You may not usually want to get in the weeds on this stuff, but when they dissect and go in, it’s riveting. This is one opportunity we get Ben doing that publicly and at a place he knows better than maybe anyone on Earth.

14. Sergio, major champion — This is the first Masters where we don’t have to view Sergio largely through the lens of dejection. Sergio has authored some of the more critical, depressing assessments of his game and his game specfically at Augusta. None of that matters anymore and now he’s the host of a Champions Dinner. It’s fantastic to have him back here and viewed through a totally different lens.

15. Boom boom is still posting — Fred Couples rarely, if ever, plays down on the PGA Tour, choosing to stay up with the seniors. Couples is a god around here, on a pedestal that’s almost at the same level as more accomplished legends like Tiger and Phil. He’s also been competitive deep into his 50s. Getting one more run from Freddie would add to an already incredible 2018 setup and make all the quarter-zipped dads drool with delight.

16. Jason Dufner’s scripting — The deadpan Duf has no hat deal this year and has put an enjoyable mix in play throughout the season. There are MLB hats, Notorious BIG hats, random golf course hats, and an unexpected BOSS hat he picked up at Rickie Fowler’s house the night before a round at the Honda Classic. What will be bring to the buttoned up ANGC?

Asked Duf about his "BOSS" hat. No sponsorship deal this year so he's wearing what he wants. This one, he grabbed from Rickie's house last night.
"Perfect time, playing with Tiger." pic.twitter.com/JoR2ISubgp
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 24, 2018

17. Rick still chasing — Rickie Fowler’s off-course endorsements earnings are immense. But despite all the marketability, Fowler enters this Masters as somewhat of an afterthought. He’s still without a major and a win would be another big boost for the game and popular in the locker room.

18. Someone named “Doc” — We got an amateur named Doc Redman. He’s from Clemson. He looks like a Doc and talks like a Doc and it feels right to have a Doc at Augusta

19. Patrick Reed in Sunday red — Portly Pat Reed wearing Tiger’s Sunday black and red will drive the wider sports audience that doesn’t know about Pat Reed insane. He’s been doing it a long time, as an homage to Tiger. But if both end up on the coverage on the weekend, people will lose their minds and I will laugh.

20. The blade collar — The most controversial collar in golf. It’s not a collar and it’s not even a mock-collar. It’s just a t-shirt and looks more appropriate for a workout at Gold’s Gym. Even Augusta National chairman Billy Payne was asked about it last year, a delicious moment of drama for my blade-hatin’ ass. Payne deflected but I will enjoy the Nike shirt being the subject of more fury this year.

21. Le Artiste! — Tiger’s comeback is the second most notable return to the Masters in my opinion. We got Bryson Dechambeau back this year! The mad scientist, the artist, Leonardo Dechambeau, is one of the game’s great characters. He more than acquitted himself as an amateur two years ago and this course may just suit him for a run in 2018.

22. The Cantlay comeback — Patrick Cantlay was supposed to be Jordan Spieth. Cantlay was one of the great amateurs in the world. He went low at the U.S. Open as an amateur. He torched the Travelers Championship playing alongside the pros. He set records. Then he disappeared, rehabbing through a painful back injury and dealing with the horrific death of his caddie and best friend. He’s healthy now and hasn’t missed a cut on the PGA Tour in a year. He’s also picked up a win and should be a sleeper for another this week.

23. Local flavors — The “local kid made it” narrative will be checked this week thanks to Kevin Kisner and Wes Bryan. Expect some louder roars for those two, especially Bryan, the former trick shot artist making his first Masters start.

24. The Potter boy — Ted Potter Jr. is a lefty and we know lefties have an advantage at Augusta! Potter has no chance, but his story, as a mini-Tour legend from Ocala who has come from the fringes to play the Masters again is a fantastic one that makes this field better. When he got an invite, he also said he couldn’t wait to try and win the par-3 contest again. Considering the well-know jinx there, it’s amazing that’s the first thing that came to his mind! The bit players at the Masters are important and I want more Potter.

25. Another Spanish bull — Jon Rahm is the No. 3 player in the world and no one seems to be talking about him this week. He’s also as talented as anyone and as temperamental as anyone in the field. He could hit a shot that makes your jaw drop or erupt at any moment.

26. The X-man — The reigning rookie of the year has an amazing backstory as the son of an immigrant and German olympic hopeful. He is one of the few Masters rookies with a shot to really contend this year.

27. The Samoan strongman — Tony Finau was the first player of Samoan and Tongan descent to earn his PGA Tour card. Finau represents a new kind of athlete on the PGA Tour .He crushes the ball, leading the PGA Tour in driving distance at the moment. He also came from nothing and had to cultivate his talent hitting balls off carpet into a mattress in his garage. He’s going to give it a go on his dislocated ankle, which is the goof news because Finau is so easy to root for and watch.

28. Style switch up — Augusta absolutely favors the long hitter, but the conditions can be such that an elite ballstriker plays his way to the top of the leaderboard. You have to hit your irons well — so much of this is a second-shot golf course. Let’s see how a talent like Matt Fitzpatrick handles the week. At Augusta, we get to watch all the different styles take different strategies on a course we know so well.

29. Low Swede — Henrik Stenson is the greatest Swede of all time. But Alex Noren is starting on a career that might just challenge that down the line. Noren has been one of the three or four hottest players in the world since last summer. He has played more on the PGA Tour this year and immediately started contending. Stenson is a major champion already, and Noren could join him soon.

30. Shub Fever — My colleague Kyle Robbins is on the executive committee of the Shubhankar Sharma fan club. Sharma has been fantastic to watch rise up the world rankings this year and Augusta should be commended for extending a special invitation to the Indian sensation. His form would indicate another made cut in his first Masters appearance.

31. SVP — Scott Van Pelt is a golf nut and goes back decades with Tiger. ESPN has jumped out of the golf game mostly, so we don’t get nearly enough SVP out on Tour or at the majors. This is a week we get the legend on the call and at the desk on site and it’s a welcome addition.

32. The Australian hope — In 2013, Aussie pro turned TV analyst Ian Baker-Finch was in tears as Adam Scott walked off the 18th green with what he presumed was a Masters win. It would take a playoff for Scott to clinch Australia’s first green jacket, but it was a momentous achievement for the sporting nation after so much prior heartbreak. The nation is represented again this year with a good chance to win a second thanks to Jason Day, Marc Leishman, and the always lurking Scott. Cam Smith is a rookie, but is in form and would not be surprising to see with a late tee time on Sunday.

33. A test of Spieth magic — My colleague Kyle Porter at CBS calls Augusta Jordan Spieth’s Narnia. He’s played in the last or second-to-last group on Sunday every single year he’s played the Masters. Now he comes to the Masters 185th in strokes gained putting and, despite a run at last week’s Houston Open, still searching for something with the putter. This week will be a fascinating test of just how different this place feels for Spieth.

34. A Champions Dinner menu — Sergio brought it on Tuesday night, mixing it up with a Spanish flavor but also with a nod to all the nations that former champions hail from with that salad.

35. Par-3 back — Last year’s par-3 contest was washed out by thunderstorms. This year, it came back with a bang and reminded us that it’s one of the cooler traditions you just don’t get at the other majors. Jack Nicklaus said watching his grandson make an ace was his favorite Masters moment ever, with this EXTREME humblebrag.

36. A Bonesless Phil — Caddies probably get too much credit and too much blame, but the Bones and Phil duo was one of the all-time greats. They delivered on the course and enhanced the broadcast with their chattiness. Watching Phil with brother Tim now on the bag will still feel a little off but is another added wrinkle for 2018.

37. TV ratings bonanza — Some things need to fall the right way, but the biggest golf rating ever is in play this week.

38. Uncle Verne! — Verne Lundquist is retired. He did not do college football this year or the NCAA tournament. But dammit, he’s going to be here on the call. In your life did you ever think he’d skip a year taking his post at the 16th green!?

39. Regime change — Fred Ridley’s first year as the chairman of Augusta National started with a bang. Ridley announced a women’s amateur event that will take place at Augusta the week preceding the 2019 Masters. It was a bombshell that absolutely no one knew was coming, even those who are often in the know at Augusta.

40. Rose redemption — It’s not as sexy a story, but Justin Rose has been automatic at Augusta and is back to avenge his playoff loss to Sergio. More than any other player in the field, based on current form and past results here, Rose has the best chance to at least be among that top 5 and in the conversation late on Sunday. Root for Rosie.

41. Monster comes to the Masters — Does this really need that much explanation?

42. British invasion — It took awhile for an Englishman to win a green jacket and join Nick Faldo. But that nation is loaded this week, even with the absence of Lee Westwood, the constant bridesmaid here. Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rose, and yes, even Ian Poulter, could all win this thing. It’s stacked! The Englishman with the least chance to win is probably the former champion Danny Willett.

43. King Louis tries again — Louis Oosthuizen has the best golf swing in the world. He’s finished runner-up in all four majors, completing that career-slam last August and then delivering one of the great lip syncs of all time. Louis is so sweet to watch swing it and always feels comfortable here. The guy deserves a second major title.

44. Good guy Matt Kuchar — Kuch winning would, uh, be a letdown for a lot of people expecting big things. But damn he ‘s another guy that deserves a major, and it would be fitting to have it happen here. He’s playing well enough to be there for yet another late Sunday at Augusta. I said there’s potential in different directions, and this is one of them even if it doesn’t float your boat.

45. Rollback in the crosshairs — Augusta puts all the issues facing the game under the microscope. The rollback of the golf ball will be a topic all weekend. Ridley did not offer much clarity but did confirm Augusta, while not a governing body, is monitoring it closely. It’s likely we explore some new distance frontiers again this year on this course, which continues to find ways to fight how far the ball is going. One outrageous drive or two could hasten the discussion even more because of the spotlight on the Masters.

46. FIGJAM fashion — Phil Mickelson has always made some curious fashion choices at Augusta. There was that tinman monochromatic look a few years ago and then a practice round this year when he went with a full on tax preparer look.

47. A Kiwi in Amen Corner — The Masters broadcast is not as good with David Feherty off the stage and now full-time with NBC. But a solid pick-up in recent years has been Golf Channel’s Frank Nobilo doing some part-time work for CBS and taking the tower down in Amen Corner at the 11th green and 12th hole.

48. A YouTube cornucopia — In typical Augusta fashion, the Masters YouTube page suddenly featured 50 years! worth of final rounds. There was no promotion. There was no announcement of it. There are no ads on it. It’s just an invaluable, entertaining, and totally unexpected resource full of forgotten gems.

49. Tommy Pete — You may not be super familiar with Belgian bomber Thomas Pieters, but he is as fun to watch play as anyone in the game. He’s an elite ballstriker who also hits it as far as anyone in the sport. Pieters is a stud, he finished in the top 5 as a rookie last year, and he gives Illinois fans something to care about and be proud of this time of year.

50. More #data — Augusta is never going to be an open book when it comes to statistics and graphics, but we’re getting a little more each year. The IBM app this year will again have that Track feature with data on each shot and AI technology curating highlights as they happen. There’s also “spoiler mode” so you don’t get highlights if you’re trying to wait and watch elsewhere. The Masters app is one of the sexiest apps on your phone that you use just four days a year.

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