Phil Mickelson swash-buckled his way around Augusta in 2-under, hitting just four fairways, but survived by the skin of his teeth thanks to a sharp short game. He almost snuck out of the first round at the Masters with a 3-under 69, but bogeyed the last hole to slip back into a tie for 14th, five behind the lead, and one ahead of Tiger Woods.

I can hear it already: You just slammed Woods and he’s only one behind Mickelson! Yeah, but Mickelson actually looked like he could go places on Thursday. And he just won last week. And he’s the defending champ. And Woods hasn’t won anywhere since 2009. And… (continue reading…)

Rory McIlroy cruised to a bogey-free 65 before ESPN even made it to air, a score that stood until the final group of the day, when Alvaro Quiros birdied Nos. 17 and 18 to tie for the lead at 7-under. I’m not saying it’s a two-horse race just yet, with Y.E. Yang and K.J. Choi at 5-under, Matt Kuchar and Ricky Barnes at 4-under, and a total of 48 players at par or better.

But through one round, who are you more impressed with: McIlroy or Quiros? (continue reading…)

Oh my! Not the most intimidating quote in the world. It pretty much sums up the state of Tiger Woods’ game. The four-time green jacket winner is happily in 24th place, on a day when Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros shot 65, and Y.E. Yang also flirted with 7-under. But as we all know, it’s a process. (continue reading…)

Can you be knocked out of the Masters before ESPN even airs a shot on Thursday? Dustin Johnson and Luke Donald (CURSE ALERT!) are both 2-over, which isn’t so bad until you consider it’s been an immaculate day for scoring, and Rory McIlroy already posted an easy 65. (Yes, it was easy. He’ll think back on how it could have been even lower.) McIlroy has a three-shot lead over Matt Kuchar, Y.E. Yang and — DUN DUN DUN — Sergio Garcia! (continue reading…)

We are long past the days of TV coverage picking up Jack Nicklaus on the back nine, and only imagining what the front nine at Augusta looks like, but every year, I’m always a little surprised that we can’t watch even more of the Masters. Here is the TV and internet broadcast schedule for Thursday and Friday: (continue reading…)

When you reach the 12th hole in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12, the wind gauge arrow thingy starts spinning around like the minute hand on a broken clock in a Twilight Zone episode.

And after reading a couple of accounts of how the 12th hole plays (scooped up by Geoff Shackelford), it sounds like the game has it down just about right. (continue reading…)

Luke Donald nearly made a hole-in-one on the ninth hole at Augusta's Par 3 Course.

It seems like there is at least one hole-in-one at every Par 3 Contest, doesn’t it? ESPN Sports Science (big fan) broke down exactly why this happens, especially at the ninth hole, where there have been 21 aces — 50 percent more than the next highest hole. (continue reading…)

Luke Donald nearly made a hole-in-one on the ninth hole to shoot a 5-under 22 and take the clubhouse lead at the annual Par 3 contest, so I am obligated to tell you to cross him off your list of contenders for this week’s Masters. ESPN just picked up its TV coverage of the contest, so flip over there for the next couple hours, catch Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, and share your thoughts below! I can feel it. The Masters is here.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

ESPN.com’s research staff spit out Nick Watney as its winner based on recent results at the Masters. (And world No. 1 Martin Kaymer picked Luke Donald, for what it’s worth.) Here’s how ESPN came up with Watney, through eight elimination stages. Phil Mickelson was knocked out because no player has won the Masters over the age of 40 since Mark O’Meara in 1998. Feel free to argue the validity of the following categories: (continue reading…)

Tiger Woods spent much of Tuesday’s media session at the Masters defending himself — first against Twitter machine Ian Poulter, and mostly against writers questioning whether the best days are behind the 14-time major champion. (continue reading…)