By Tyler McDonough | Sr. Sports Reporter

The second weekend in April is always Christmas 2.0 for golf fans, as the Masters kicks off today. Here’s a little bit to marinate on as the golfers hit the links in Augusta.

1. Tiger tees off at 10:04 on Thursday morning. I think he will make the cut with ease, and we will see him in contention . Now I’m not just saying this because he’s my favorite golfer ever, but I do believe that he has what it takes to win. Vegas has him with 14/1 odds, and he’s in the best shape in years (physically and mentally) and he’s coming off one of his best years ever. The conditions are wet, so distance will be a disadvantage for the 43 year-old, and he’ll have to contend with the long-knockers, but this could also be an advantage to go at pins. His putter will need to be solid this week, and let’s not forget, he has four green jackets. He’s been there and done that.

2. If I were a betting man, my money would have to be on Tommy Fleetwood. The Southport, England native has been one of the best players the last couple of years in Majors, and we know his time is soon. Augusta by no means is easy, but it is considered the ‘easiest’ major, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Englishmen get his first major. Fleetwood finished T-2 at the U.S. Open last year, and a solid T-12 at last year’s PGA Championship.

3. Another person to think about putting your money on for this week would be Rory McIlroy. It’s strange that he’s never won the Masters. It’s so hard to win in golf, and it is a testament as Rory has been in contention for the most part of the last 10 years he’s competed. He is also the Vegas favorite with 8/1 odds, and just needs one more to complete the career grand slam. Watch out for Rory this week.

Take a look at his breakdown:

2009: T20

2010: Missed Cut

2011: T15

2012: T40

2013: T25

2014: T8

2015: 4th

2016: T10

2017: T7

2018: T5

4. I fully expect Jordan Spieth to be in the mix as well. Spieth has not played up to his standards for about a year or so, but this man always finds a way to get things done at Augusta. The 2015 Masters Champion has been in contention every year he has played (2014-present). I don’t think Spieth will necessarily have to play all that great the first couple of days (just as long as he makes the cut), because he will have a solid weekend. The Dallas native will need to find his putting stroke that he has been looking for a while to have a chance.

Spieth’s Masters Career:

2014: T2

2015: Won

2016: T2

2017: T11

2018: 3rd

5. You can flip a coin when it comes to Phil Mickelson. I have no idea with this dude. He is a fan favorite, and I’d love to see Phil get another green jacket at 48 years-old. Lets not forget that Phil has already won this year as well.

6. Wild Card: Kevin Kisner. Kisner won a couple weekends ago at the WGC Dell Match Play in Austin. He definitely has the game, and he has some big wins, but he’s never won a major. Don’t be surprised if you see him in contention on Sunday.

7. Wild Card: Jon Rahm. The young Spaniard almost seems to never be fazed by anything. He is a long-knocker and has a solid short game. The perfect recipe for Augusta. He has a small sample size at the Masters, as he’s only making his third start, but he did finish T4 last year.

8. I’m not really feeling a Justin Thomas, Sergio Garcia, or Brooks Koepka winner this week. All solid players, I just don’t get the feeling they will win.

9. CAN RICKIE FOWLER FINALLY WIN? I hope he can, but I don’t see it being at Augusta. He’s made better for a U.S. Open or PGA Championship.

10. This week will belong to the vets. It’s like a tradition like none other.