Masters 2015: Predictions, Live Stream and TV Coverage Hub for Thursday
The 2015 Masters Tournament is underway. No event in golf attracts more attention on a yearly basis than the annual stop at Augusta National Golf Club. Capturing a green jacket is an accomplishment many players dream about but few are able to realize.
This year's event is bolstered by the return of Tiger Woods. His presence after missing some time while working out the kinks in his game adds to a marquee field also featuring Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth, among others.
It should make for a memorable quartet of days in Georgia, especially if Woods is able to rediscover top form and contend. So let's check out all of the important information for Thursday's coverage and some predictions for what to expect on Day 1.
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2015 Masters Leaderboard
Thursday Coverage Details
Where: Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia
When: First players teed off at 7:45 a.m. ET
Watch: ESPN from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
Live Stream: CBS Sports
Predictions
Middling Round from Tiger Woods
Golf fans last saw Woods when he was walking off the course during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open in early February due to a lingering back injury. It surely didn't help that his short game at the time was nothing short of a disaster.
The 14-time major champion returned home to Florida to work out his issues. The yips, which seemingly resulted from his swing change, needed to get eliminated for him to become competitive again. Tiger Tracker notes the fan favorite said he put in the necessary effort:
Even if his short game is back on track, expecting him to come out on Thursday and showcase his best game is probably too much. It's going to take some time to shake off the rust. Perhaps he gets on a roll for a while and then gives a few shots back.
Ultimately, if he can make the cut and remain within striking distance heading into the weekend, that would be a success. It starts with a solid round on Thursday. Scoring around par without any type of injury setbacks is a reasonable target, barring extremely tough conditions.
Rory McIlroy Lurking in Top 5
McIlroy is the player to beat at Augusta. He's never captured a green jacket, but he won the final two majors of 2014 and has been terrific so far this year. Aside from a missed cut at the Honda Classic, he's shined in his other four starts (first, second, ninth and 11th) with a combined score of 51-under.
The Northern Irishman posted his first top-10 finish in the Masters one year ago, ending up in a tie for eighth. So all the signs are positive. Just don't expect him to add any further pressure by picking himself as the favorite, as Kelly Tilghman of the Golf Channel pointed out:
Although McIlroy would surely love to go low on Thursday and run away from the field, it's more likely he'll do everything possible to limit risk. That comes from a lesson learned on Friday last year when he shot a 77 and basically took himself out of the mix before the weekend action even teed off.
That's why a spot on the fringe of the top five after the first day seems reasonable. It will leave him easily within striking distance of the lead, and given the way he's been playing, he can post that score without taking too many risks.
Brandt Snedeker Leads After Day 1
Snedeker has enjoyed some success in the Masters before. He finished third in 2008 and sixth in 2013. And while he finished a distant 37th last year, he did rank inside the top five after Round 1. So it wouldn't come as a surprise to see him on top after Thursday.
The American has been a good starter this season, too. He's posted a score of 70 or better in seven of his 11 events, including a 64 in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which he won. He's had a nice start to the year, and it makes him an under-the-radar selection this week. Mark Whicker of the LA Daily News agrees:
Snedeker has a little more natural risk-reward in his game than that of McIlroy. So he'll probably need to catch a couple breaks to make this prediction come true. But if everything falls into place, he could lead by more than a stroke.
There will probably be several different leaders throughout the day. One of the interesting parts of the majors is seeing some lesser-known names near the top. That said, when the dust settles, look for the seven-time winner on the PGA Tour to hold first place.
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