Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA — April 10, 2019
The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament begins tomorrow morning with ceremonial tee shots from Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, the “Honorary Starters.” At 8:30 am Group 1 with Andrew Landry, Adam Long, and Corey Conners will tee off the competition portion of the 83rd Masters.
The greatest golf tournament in the world will capture the attention of golf fans everywhere for the remainder of the weekend. Who will win? The list of contenders is long, one of the popular choices might be Jordan Spieth.
Odds
Rory McIlroy is the current favorite to win with odds of 7-1, followed by Dustin Johnson 10-1, and Justin Rose 12-1. Last year’s Champion Patrick Reed faces long odds of 60-1 to repeat. If you like longshots, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, and Ian Woosnam are all listed at 5,000/1 odds to put on a Green Jacket Sunday evening. Other notables:
Tiger Woods: 14/1
Jordan Spieth: 16/1
Rickie Fowler: 16/1
Bubba Watson: 25/1
Tony Finau: 35/1
Phil Mickelson: 40/1
Sergio Garcia: 60/1
Wednesday — Fun Day
Before the competition starts for real, Wednesday offers a chance for everyone to relax and have fun. It’s the annual Par 3 Competition where family members caddie, former Champions come back to greet the crowds, and youngsters often tee off or attempt a putt to the delight of players.
Last year Jack Nicklaus’ grandson aced the 9th hole, Jack said it was the greatest thrill he ever experienced on a golf course. That’s something for a 6-time Green Jacket winner. This year hole-in-ones were scored by Mark O’Mera on the 5th hole and Shane Lowery on the 2nd, and Matt Wallace at the 8th. Amateur Devon Bling, the 19-year old who is a sophomore at UCLA and 2018 U.S. Amateur runner-up aced the 7th hole.
The Winner
Sandy Lyle, the Scotsman, won the Par-3 contest with a score of 5 under. Bling missed a par putt on the final hole that would have tied him with Lyle. No one that has won the Par-3 Contest has ever won the Masters in the same year. Amateur Bling is, therefore, free to swing away and try to become the 1st amateur to win the Masters.
The Lasco Press will bring you daily updates on the Masters Tournament. Our coverage of the PGA Tour will continue this year with all four Majors and our local PGA Tour Champions event, The Ally Challenge, from Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.
