There will be fans at Augusta National this time around after no fans in 2020 when Dustin Johnson won by 5 shots at -20, a Masters record besting the -18 mark set by Tiger Woods in 1997 and Jordan Spieth in 2015. It won’t be capacity, but it will add to the pressure of this spectacular major championship.

The weather looks good Thursday, but questionable over the weekend. Highs in the low 80’s and the course is as firm and fast as it’s been in a long time according to 1992 champion Fred Couples. Isolated and scattered T-storms are possible this weekend, but the tournament may get lucky. Will be interesting if the weather stays dry, for the most part, on how the players will handle these challenging course conditions.

Tiger Woods, who won in 2019, is out and was determined to be going 80 in a 45 when he crashed his SUV in Southern California. There was definitely more to the story than he just got unlucky. Always some drama with Eldrick.

Here are the odds for each contender this year.

Dustin Johnson, 10/1, Not playing his best golf right now, but how do you go against the guy with what he’s done in the past year?

Bryson DeChambeau, 10/1. Another guy who’ll be hard to go against. Might try to overpower Augusta National. Won at Bay Hill in March, and his best finish at the Masters is in 2016 when he finished tied for 21st.

Jordan Spieth: 11/1. The 2015 champion is in top form right now after winning at the Valero Texas Open last week at TPC San Antonio.

Justin Thomas: 11/1. The Players Champion has gradually improved at Augusta National. In 2016, tied 39th, 2017, tied 22nd, 2018, tied 17th, 2019, tied 12th, and 2020, 4th.

Jon Rahm: 13/1. Been knocking on the door for a good while now. Has all the tools, but can he control his emotions enough to capture a Green Jacket.

Rory: 19/1. Looking for the career Grand Slam. Not doing anything right now to convince anyone he’ll win it.

Patrick Cantlay: 20/1. Very good player, has a shot.

Xander Schauffele: 20/1. Possible, but hasn’t been able to close so far.

Brooks Koepka: 28/1. Has a bad right knee with a dislocation and ligament damage. He had surgery 3 weeks ago. His swing coach, Pete Cowan, says Koepke is “striping it.” He’s a 4 time major champion, but will be in yoga poses reading the greens. Might be a bit comical.

Collin Morikawa: 29/1. Won the 2020 PGA Championship, so knows how to win with the pressure amped up. Definitely could be there on the back 9 Sunday.

Patrick Reed: 32/1. 2018 champion. Won at Torrey, so in pretty good shape right now. When the pressure’s on, he seems to thrive.

Tony Finau: 35/1. Not proven he can win regular events, so I don’t see him winning when the pressure is at full blast.

Viktor Hovland: 35/1. I’m not sure about this year, but he’s got a shot, and certainly in the future.

Augusta National: 7,475 yards, Par 72.

Key holes, Back 9 on Sunday. Amen Corner, 11, 12, 13 will be daunting tests for the contenders. 15 is always an exciting Par 5, and 16 is an electric Par 3. The par 4, 18th will have major drama.

TV:

Thursday-Friday: 2-6:30 PM CT, ESPN

Saturday: 2-6 PM CT, ESPN

Sunday: Quite possibly the best day in sports. I don’t know what day is better. 1-6 PM CT, CBS.

Winner

Give me the 27 year old from Louisville, Kentucky, he’ll be 28, April 29th, by way of the University of Alabama. He won the PGA Championship in 2017 and just won the Players Championship in March, and has now won 14 times on Tour. I like him to break through at Augusta National, and after banging on the door the last three years, he’ll knock it down and wear the Green Jacket come early Sunday evening.

Justin Thomas

Sleeper

I’ll take the 2013 champion. He’s still playing at a high level at 40 years old.

Adam Scott