The Masters 2010: Top Five Questions Heading Into Friday

Featured Columnist Andy Reistetter is on site this week at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Here are the Top Five Questions coming out of Thursday at The Masters.

1.   Can there be a better first day leader board at The Masters?  

The 2010 Masters is surely to be one of the most exciting, most watched in history.

That is how I ended my Wednesday report and after Thursday's first round action I whole heartedly agree.

Fred Couples fresh from three straight Champions Tour wins brings his A-Plus game to Augusta and shoots his best round ever.

In 25 previous Masters he has only shot lower than 71 three times but not in the last eleven tournaments.

One of those times was when he won in 1992 and started with a 69.

And who is in second place?

Tom Watson- carrying on where he left off at the Open at Turnberry which was his last major on the regular tour since he elected not to play at the PGA at Hazeltine.

No one can still believe that a 59-year old guy at the time or anyone for that matter could hit a 187-yard 8-iron through the green

Today Watson finished with a birdie at the last.

Watson- the guy who shot a Sunday 65 to beat Couples in the first event of the year.

My dear Watson… and you too Fred Couples- what do you think this is- the Champions Tour?

Then we have Lee Westwood the contender at Turnberry and Hazeltine in last year's final two majors.

Then we have the Tiger slayer Y.E. Yang who ended Woods streak of always winning majors when leading going into the final round.

Well it was more than a streak it was a habit for Woods who did it 16 times before the bag raising Korean knocked him out with that hybrid on the last in the last major.

Also tied for second is Phil Mickelson the People's Choice who seems to be back on top of his game after enjoying the par-3 contest on Wednesday with his family.

Couples and Westwood did it with birdie power- each with seven while Watson went bogey free.

Also tied for second place with a 67 is K.J. Choi who played with you know who?

2.  Is Tiger Woods poised to win his fifth green jacket?

Absolutely, positively, without a doubt Mr. Woods as we will call him in 36 years can win his 15^th major this week at Augusta.

He had his best ever opening round at Augusta.

Better than ever by two strokes shooting a 4-under 68 versus plain old even par as his best in 15 previous Masters starts.

It is definitely a new and improved Tiger Woods.

He was the only player in the field to record two eagles- one at No. 8 and one at No. 15.

Talk about peaking at the right time.

It was only three days again he duck hooked two balls left into the woods at No. 8.

In round No. 1 of the new era for Tiger he definitely showed more respect for the game.

There were no fist pumps when he eagled No. 15. Only a raised putter pointing upwards to the good golf gods who are still smiling for the world's No. 1 golfer.

I think it is safe to say Tiger will make the cut and may very well run away with this tournament.

3.   What was the best thing about the whole day?

With so much excitement watching the first round competition I almost forgot the first thing I witnessed today.

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus hitting ceremonial first tee shots at 7:40 a.m.

After Mr. Palmer laced one down the fairway Mr. Nicklaus asked him "how did you do that?"

"Keep your eye on the ball," was the King's reply.

The Golden Bear in a golden moment than laced his own drive down the fairway.

After golf's two biggest statesmen made a statement with their drives, Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne declared the games of the 74^th Masters officially opened.

Heath Slocum was the first of the 96 competitors to enter the first tee arena and shoo the ceremonial ongoing away so that the competition could begin.

Surprisingly the tee markers were then moved up 10 yards. Indeed Augusta National does things in their own manner and when they deem appropriate.

Then about ten minutes later Nathan Green hit the first tee shot and out drove Mr. Palmer and Mr. Nicklaus by at least the ten yard advantage given him.

4.   What were the other surprises in the first round of play?

On the downward side of things both recent winner Jim Furyk and PLAYERS reigning champion Henrik Stenson shot 80s.

Furyk's back nine of 44 three double bogeys at Nos. 10, 11 and 17 and a triple bogey hitting into the water twice at No. 16. He birdied Nos. 12 and 18.

Stenson had three double bogeys at Nos. 4, 7 and 17 with five bogeys offset by two birdies.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera shot 73 while playoff losers Kenny Perry shot 72 and Chad Campbell shot 79.

Younger brother Francisco shot a 2-under 70 while older brother Edoardo Molinari shot 76.

Hot and streaking Ernie Els is in it with an opening round of 1-under 71.

The youngest ever to play a Masters, British Amateur champion Matteo Manassero also shot a respectable and competitive 71.

5.   What else can Augusta National do to prove they are truly leaders in the worldwide game of golf?

First create an Asian Amateur championship and invite the inaugural winner Chang-Won Han to come and play in the Masters.

Secondly install a state of the art and then some new "Tournament Practice Range."

Finally be the first major sporting event to broadcast in 3D.

 Talk about a day at The Masters- it was terrific.

How can one wait for the sun to come up for another glorious day at Augusta National?

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering and working part time for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and The Golf Channel.

He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him to [e-mail]