Monday LIVE from the Masters

Golf writer Andy Reistetter is at Masters week for the third consecutive year. Here are his thoughts, comments and perspectives for Monday at the 2011 Masters. Look for his column every day for an upfront, personal and firsthand look at what is happening at Augusta National in the 75th rendition of this springtime classic!

I pulled a "Jim Furyk" and had an alarm clock malfunction this morning.

So I was a little later than expected driving up to Augusta from the Jacksonville, Florida area. The drive took me four-and-a-half hours from home to the most beautiful golf course in the world.

Granted I am a little unusual in that I no longer celebrate "annual-style" birthdays. Rather I chose to track the age milestones in my life in terms of "thousand-days." I am just shy of 19 "thou-days…

I felt like I was the regular 19 this morning driving on a beautiful sunny day with the top down in my old 1992 Infiniti M30. With just over 100,000 miles now the engine roars like a new one. The good news is I did not get a speeding ticket along the way. The bad news is good news—there is no bad news as anyone can attest that has made their way to the Mecca of Golf.

Though the weather in Northeast Florida has been awesome for the most part the last couple of weeks, this kid is from Binghamton, New York and, even after the last five years living south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I still feel that spring sensation.

Spring has sprung. That extra kick is in my step. The sap is running warmer and quicker through my veins. All because it is Masters week.

The two hours on I-95 went faster than one would anticipate for the posted speed limit. Especially in southern Georgia where low country salt water marsh vistas pass quickly.

Near Savannah a turn to the northwest on Route 16 heading to Macon is quietly navigated to the tunes of Rod Stewart's "Forever Young."

Exiting at Route 25 heading north to Augusta, I stop for gas and pay $3.69 a gallon. Who cares, I am heading to the Masters for the week!

I start noticing the dogwoods and azaleas in full bloom. Full trees of white.  

There's my first Augusta sign—74 miles to golfer's heaven.

I speed past Magnolia Country Club with its own row of Magnolia trees lining the ridge road up the golf course. I want to stop some day, but not today.

I make it to the one-of-a-kind golf course—Augusta National—it is timeless and green and beautiful. Counting the full Monty the last two years, I realize this is the 21st day I have been on these spectacular grounds.

Did you catch the Golf Channel Classic of Arnold Palmer's Masters win in 1960? Other than Arnold's birdie-birdie finish to win, two things struck me about the Masters in 1960.

The first was how much putting on the greens befuddled Jack Nicklaus who played as the reigning United States Amateur champion that year and again in 1961. This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Golden Bear's historic win in 1986—his sixth Masters win, more than anybody else.

The second thing was a piece of litter fluttering past as Palmer walked along after a heroic shot. Not only that the litter was white, not green in color.

The grounds, by which I mean every inch of the property, are as immaculate as ever. Not even a piece of green tinted litter to be found.

So who is going to win the 75th Masters?

A week ago the answer was just about anybody that it was wide open.

The last three majors have been won by international players—Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer.

Combined they are 1-for-8 at making the cut at the Masters. Only McDowell has with a T-17 in 2009.

Of course the hands-on favorite is last week's winner and defending champion Phil Mickelson.

It could be 2006 all over again when Mickelson won his second Masters after winning the Bellsouth Classic the week before.

Or it could be Masters History in the making with someone winning their first career victory at the Masters. Is that possible? How about first career victory, win the par-3 contest on Wednesday and the Masters for good measure?

Five guys are in the field (qualification for entry in 2011 Masters) without winning a single professional event- Ricky Barnes (T10 in 2010 Masters), Rickie Fowler (Top 50 OWGR), Steve Marino (T14 in 2010 Masters), Jeff Overton (2010 TOUR Championship) and Kevin Streelman (201 TOUR Championship).

With clutch play in the 2010 Ryder Cup, perhaps this week is the time for Rickie Fowler to break through in a big way.

Of course there is Tiger Woods, who has won the second most Masters along with Arnold Palmer-four.

Do not underestimate how well he knows Augusta National. His T4 place finish last year was amazing considering what was happening in his life the prior four-and-a-half months.

This could be Tiger's greatest comeback and the beginning of his final march to overtake Jack's record 18 majors.

There are other interesting comeback or breakthrough stories ready to be made into Masters' history…

Sergio Garcia here in the last year of eligibility from his 2008 PLAYERS victory, Jerry Kelly (T12 in 2010 Masters) and Davis Love III (T6 at 2010 U.S. Open) would be great comeback stories.

Kevin Na (2010 TOUR Championship), Sean O'Hair (OWGR) and Masters darling son Brandt Snedeker (T8 2010 U.S. Open) would be great breakthrough stories.

Who could forget Snedeker's Sunday 77 and T3 finish is 2008?  

Who can forget spring has sprung and it is Masters Time!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer as well as a Research and Broadcast Assistant for the major golf broadcast companies. He spends time on all four major American golf tours- the PGA TOUR, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA Tours.

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

A lifetime golfer, Andy enjoys volunteering at the World Golf Hall of Fame and THE PLAYERS while 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 at [e-mail]