Here are five things to watch at this year’s Masters:
1. The waiting game: Tiger Woods will tee off in the second-to-last group, joining Stewart Cink and Jeev Milkha Singh at 12:52 p.m. CST. What does the guy have to do to win honors?
2. Everyone’s a critic: Woods, Nick Faldo and Johnny Miller are among those who believe that Augusta National officials sapped fun from the Masters by stretching the course. Club officials blame two years of lousy weather. Thursday’s forecast? Temps in the 70s, scores in the 60s.
3. Shark attack: The new groom (Mr. Chris Evert) and perennial bridesmaid (three second-place finishes) returns to Augusta for the first time since 2002 — and as the sentimental favorite.
4. First and 10: The first hole has been shortened by just 10 yards, to 445, but Woods said the change could mean “a lot.” He hopes to carry the fairway hill, allowing him to attack the pin.
5. Long in any language: Spaniard Alvaro Quiros is young (26), dashing and hits it a country mile. He’s the longest hitter on the European Tour, he wears a cool straw hat and he could get TV time Thursday playing two groups in front of Woods.
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More coverage
No blueprint to winning at Augusta. BACK PAGE Tee times, PAGE 7
Read a Masters notebook at chicagotribune.com/golf
Say Amen at work
Follow play at Amen Corner (holes 11-13) starting at 9:45 a.m. at masters.org
