Masters 2016: Predictions, Live Stream and TV Coverage Hub for Friday
Jordan Spieth was supposed to be vulnerable this time.
After all, he only had one top-10 finish in his previous six tournaments entering the Masters and even missed the cut at the Northern Trust Open in February. This golf-playing robot suddenly looked human, and the rest of the field was supposed to have a chance at Augusta.
So much for that.
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Spieth didn’t record a single bogey throughout his first round on Thursday and finished with a six-under 66. He is two shots clear of the rest of the field and already has his second consecutive green jacket well within his sights.
Fortunately for the rest of the competitors, there are still three rounds remaining. With that in mind, here is a look at the leaderboard, broadcast information for Friday and a few predictions for the second round.
Leaderboard
Broadcast Information
Adam Silverstein of CBSSports.com provided a complete rundown of the broadcast options for Friday’s coverage of the first round of the Masters:
Round Starts: 8 a.m. ET
Live TV Coverage: 3-7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Featured Groups Live Stream: 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com
Amen Corner Live Stream: 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com
On the Range Live Stream: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on CBSSports.com
Holes 15 and 16 Live Stream: 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on CBSSports.com
Predictions
Phil Mickelson Slowly Climbs the Leaderboard
Mickelson has always been a fan favorite at Augusta, but he is more than just a ceremonial participant. He finished in a tie for second place last year and is in solid position after the first round this year in a tie for 21st place at even par.
He looked to be in some trouble when he bogeyed Nos. 10 and 11, but he rebounded nicely with birdies on Nos. 13, 16 and 17. It was an important late charge that helped him stay within striking distance of the top of the leaderboard and also probably bolstered his confidence moving into what could be a promising second round.
The Masters Tournament shared some highlights from Mickelson’s first 18 holes:
He found that level of comfort he has displayed at Augusta National throughout his career with a strong back nine, even if he did bogey No. 18.
Don’t take that late spurt lightly. Mickelson has three titles and 15 different top-10 finishes in his Masters career and has demonstrated a mastery of this course that will serve him well on Friday and beyond. Look for him to parlay his late birdies into a gradual climb up the leaderboard in the second round.
Sergio Garcia Keeps the Momentum Rolling
Garcia doesn’t have a major championship on his resume, but he looked like he can compete for one at Augusta this year when he finished the first round tied for third place with a three-under 69.
There was a sense of “here we go again” on the big stage when he bogeyed Nos. 3 and 4 to put him at two-over, but he finished with an impressive late charge. He didn’t tally another bogey the rest of the day and notched birdies on Nos. 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16. That four-hole stretch on the back nine served as a message to the rest of the field that he will be a force at this Masters.
He was particularly solid with the irons on No. 14, as the Masters Tournament captured:
For all the worry about Garcia at the majors, he finished in the top 20 in three of the last four Masters. He understands what it takes to play well at Augusta, and he seemed to find it after the initial hiccup during the first four holes.
It is all about confidence for someone like Garcia trying to finally break through at a major tournament. Four consecutive birdies near the end of the first round should provide him with just the confidence he needs to keep his momentum rolling on Friday.
Jordan Spieth Maintains His Stranglehold on Augusta
This is just getting ridiculous for Spieth at the Masters. The defending green jacket-holder has a first- and second-place finish in his two previous appearances in this tournament and blazed through Thursday’s first round with a six-under 66 and zero bogeys.
ESPN Stats & Info noted he made some history as well:
Spieth is not just avoiding mistakes. He took advantage of scoring opportunities when they presented themselves on the greens Thursday and finished with six birdies. Justin Ray of the Golf Channel described just how effective Spieth was with the putter on Thursday:
Here’s a scary thought for the rest of the field—Spieth apparently wasn’t even striking the ball well on Thursday. Take his word for it, per Will Gray of GolfChannel.com: “I got a lot out of the round with what I felt was kind of average-ish ball-striking.”
Just imagine what will happen if he does strike the ball well on Friday and in the later rounds.
Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports recognized Spieth has already made the Masters “his personal playground”:
"This is [Spieth's] third Masters but he's already its biggest attraction, the fan favorite and such a dominating player that once again the event is being played on his terms, to his soundtrack of hollering fans. At just 22, Spieth has turned Augusta National into his personal playground, throwing up low numbers on the scoreboards and drawing throngs to a level approaching the heyday of Tiger Woods.
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The former Texas Longhorn won two majors and finished in the top four at the other two last year. He is at his best under pressure, and that was once again the case on Thursday. There is no reason to think that will change in the second round.
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