Odds are against Mickelson winning back to back... field wide open at Augusta

(For Masters scoreboard just click on PGA Tour on the right side of this article)

It was kind of bitter sweet this morning for me watching Jack and Arnie split the fairway with their ceremonial drives to get this 75th edition underway.

Sweet to see 2 of the guys that have shaped so many of our memories and love of golf, bitter to think how old we are all getting so damn quickly... Jack's line as he straightened up after he bent over to tee up his ball..." That's good that I managed to get back up !!!"

As of 1030am this morning Ross Fisher has made the turn at -3 and is now playing the hookers heaven that is the back 9 at Augusta National. He has now made it thru Amen Corner  at -4

Retief Goosen will be on all the highlight reels tonight with his 2 at the first after he canned his approach shot. He is now  at -4 thru 5
Weirsy made par on his first 2 holes, now +1 thru 5

For the record, although Phil Mickelson is most every one's pick this year, and rightfully so with his record here and his 63 65 weekend in Houston, it is tough enough to win on this tour, even tougher to win back to back weeks, and even tougher to win a major !! 

Also has this year has not impressed upon us that any of these guys can win any given week ??

Now we know that Augusta has been dominated by Phil and Tiger with 7 wins in the last 14 years between them, but there is a new breed and a new attitude on tour now that Tiger has crashed and burned, and to be frank Phil was mediocre until has caught fire last weekend.

The world's best are from all around the world and anyone of Kaymer, Rose ,Donald, McDowell, Westwood, Poulter, Casey, McIlroy, Goosen, Laird etal can win here in a heartbeat.

Similarly US players like Watney and Kim, Johnson and Mahan, O'Hair , Byrd and Kuchar etc are all knocking at the door..
(note.. I like in bold)

Also many of the usual suspects who always play well at Augusta National are getting on in years.. Guys like Phil and Vijay and Kenny Perry, Davis Love, McCarron and Els are all well into their 40's now, and even while we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Jack's historic win at 46 in 1986, we are reminded how unusual a feat that was since it still stands alone.

So for me this Masters is wide open despite all the support from the Mickelson band wagons out there.

Bryan Angus