Masters 2017: Predictions, Live Stream and TV Coverage Hub for Thursday
Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy will reinforce their credentials to win on the first day of the 2017 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on Thursday.
The field has been shaken up by Dustin Johnson's lower back injury. The favourite injured himself falling down some stairs, according to BBC Sport. Johnson's agent, David Winkle, indicated the 32-year-old still hopes to play, per the same source.
However, at the time of writing, Rex Hoggard of NBC's Golf Channel noted there was no definite update when play initially got underway:
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Yet viewers can still expect a bogey-free round from Spieth. They should also expect McIlroy to keep pace with 2015's winner.
Before a few more predictions, here are the viewing and streaming details for Thursday:
Date: Thursday, April 6
Time: 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. BST.
TV Info: ESPN. Sky Sports 1 and 4.
Spieth to Enjoy a Bogey-Free Round
Spieth isn't entering this Masters in the best form. He also has the painful memory of his collapse on the 12th hole at last year's tournament.
After all, it was the sight of his quadruple-bogey that ultimately cost Spieth his title. Yet the talented Texan is confident he can make amends in Georgia this year, per Andy Bull of the Guardian: “I can go back and really tear this golf course up.”
In fairness to Spieth, his confidence is well-founded given his near-exemplary history at Augusta. The European Tour official Twitter account summed up how effective he's been:
Spieth may feel he has a point to prove; expect that to motivate him to produce flawless golf early on.
McIlroy Will Match Spieth's Efforts
Spieth won't be the only player with a blemish-free scorecard at the end of Day 1. McIlroy will also match his efforts thanks to his revitalised form and a few other factors.
Those other factors include how hard McIlroy has been working to reacquaint himself with the course at Augusta. In fact, he has already played 99 practice holes, according to BBC Sport.
Making sure he is ready for things in Georgia is a smart ploy from a golfer gifted enough to upset the other marquee players at Augusta. But extra practice won't be the only thing likely to buoy McIlroy's chances.
There's also the role prospective wet weather will play, per Sky Sports Golf: "He's fresh, has been playing really well and looks set to meet a rain-soaked Augusta National, which is perfect for his ball-striking game."
McIlroy is not being talked about a lot as a potential winner, according to Butch Harmon of Sky Sports. Harmon believes the lack of noise around him is ideal for McIlroy's meticulous preparations.
McIlroy has been paired with some talent in the form of Hideto Tanihara and Jon Rahm in the threeball. The latter can spring one of the day's biggest surprises.
Rahm to Be Leader After Day 1
The first day of any major is usually ripe for an outsider to surprise the pack. One of the players most capable of doing just that is Rahm.
The 22-year-old Spaniard is a debutant at Magnolia Lane. Yet his range of shots is equal to almost any player at the tournament. He is also a solid lag putter who can handle pressure on the greens.
Rahm is a precocious talent whose enthusiasm and skill can lead to an opening-round score in the mid- to late-60s. It will be good enough to earn the lead after Thursday.
However, Rahm's stay at the top of the leaderboard will be a temporary one once McIlroy, Spieth and Co. get going.
Ultimately, though, much will depend on Johnson's health. Naturally, the favourite not being 100 percent would open the rest of the tournament up.
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