What makes The Masters more than just a golf tournament!  Is it that Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are the youngest first time and two-time champions respectively!  That Jack Nicklaus has won 6 green jackets.  That in 1935, Gene Sarazen’s double eagle on 15^th hole coined “the shot heard ‘round the world”!  There are only four wire-to-wire champions. That the oldest Masters champion is golf’s great Jack Nicklaus at age 46.  Phil Mickelson’s shot from behind a tree on the 13^th hole to 5 feet from the pin.  Regardless of the event, it is easy to see why this tournament captures the eye of the golfing world, as millions of viewers will be glued to the TV waiting for history to unfold!

What else makes The Masters great?

Announced on 07 April 2013, the new initiative of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship that will conclude at Augusta National Golf Club in 2014 will that create excitement for all junior golfers.  This year-long event will provide young men and woman golfers between the ages of 7-15 an opportunity to play at one of the world’s most prestigious course.

How will the spot light shine on the 14-year-old Chinese golfing prodigy  Tianlang Guan?  He is the youngest player ever to qualify for the Masters.  This week he played with Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Ben Crenshaw, and Tom Watson; what a fantastic opportunity for this young man!

The Masters has donated over 18 million dollars to the Augusta, Georgia, area!  A portion of the donation goes to charities selected by Augusta National Golf Club employees.  Talk about giving back.

The Masters Tournament captures the golfing world for 4 days like no other.  It provides hopes, dreams, heartaches, and triumphs in the space of seconds.  Competing in The Masters is a dream for many golfers.  In this year’s Masters, 6 amateurs are fulfilling their hopes and dreams.  Regardless, all players will relish in this rare opportunity and are psyched and ready to claim the green jacket.

So, who are the favorites, the dark horses or the up-and-comers ready to break out. Many websites cover such a topic and if your interested check out some of my favorites:  Lets Talk Golf, AdamSarson.com, Golf Dweeb, and White Dragon Golf.

Not to be left out, the following are the The Grateful Golfer’s picks for this year’s Masters:

1. Rory McIlroy – he is the best golfer in the world regardless of the world rankings and is ready for his first Green Jacket.
2. Phil Mickelson – you can never count out Lefty.  The Masters is a tournament made for his game.
3. Keegan Bradley – if his putter gets hot – look out!
4. Brent Snedeker – he has the game to challenge all pros!  A very streaky player.  Good Dark horse pick.
5. Mike Weir – Because he is Canadian!

“A Tradition Like No Other”, coined by Jim Nantz of CBS Sports, definitely sums up all aspects of The Masters.  It is a tournament rich in tradition and is the most anticipated sporting event in the world!  Enjoy the weekend!