Augusta, Ga.
Good morning from Augusta National. It's another clear, cool-for-Georgia morning, with a high of 70 expected. Looks like good scoring conditions.
What I'll be watching for today:
-The Thursday leaderboard at The Masters always includes some surprises, but if history is any indication, we could be headed for a showdown between Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. Spieth always plays well here, and McIlroy is trying to complete the career grand slam. Spieth leads McIlroy by three strokes heading into today's round.
While Spieth's iron play and putting plays well here, McIlroy has the power to make up ground on the par-5s.
-Tony Finau shot a 68 a day after dislocating his ankle. How will he do after walking 18 holes? Will the adrenaline wear off, leaving him more prone to feeling pain? He's a powerful ball-striker. Any stiffness in his ankle could rob him of his foremost advantage.
-Players lower on the scoreboard who could make a move: Justin Rose is even, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson are at one-over.
Of those four, I would think Rose and Woods are the most likely to overcome an iffy first round.
-Please check back at startribune.com and in the actual newspaper for coverage all weekend.
-You can find my podcasts, including those on The Masters, at mnspn.com.
