2011 Masters: The Top Five Pairings to Watch Thursday & Friday

Many golf observers believe that your playing partners often bring both good and bad karma to your game. I believe this as well. If I am playing with really good players it always seems to elevate my game, and vice-versa.

Also, your enjoyment of the round can be determined by your partners as well. Would you rather play with a sour puss who is always complaining or with someone always cool & relaxed like the guy in the picture.

Since the pairings have been announced for the first two days of the 2011 Masters, let's look at the good & the bad.

12:53 Pairing of Couples, Stricker, Donald

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Fred Couples watches a shot on the first hole during the second round of the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2010 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

This group is comprised of three really good guys. They're not to shabby as players, either.

Former Masters champion Freddie Couples, Luke Donald the number four player in the world finished third in the 2005 Masters, and Steve Stricker, the number eight player in the world,  finished tied for sixth in the 2009 Masters.

This group will get plenty of air time, and don't be surprised if someone in this group Is at the very top of the leaderboard going into Saturday.

8:40 Group: Johnson, Scott, Watney

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 25: Dustin Johnson plays a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 25, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The real young lions.

Look for Dustin Johnson to be in contention in yet another major. The course suits his game well, but will his putter hold up? He is number 11 in the world ranking right now and could shoot way up with a victory.

Nobody is hotter on tour right now than Nick Watney, the 14th ranked player in the world. Butch Harmon predicted this week he is a potential player to win at Augusta this year.

Adam Scott, although he has faded to number 30 in the world, has made seven out of 10 cuts at The Masters. Maybe playing with these other two young guns will wake him from his slumber.

9:24: McIIroy, Fowler, Day

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 27: Rickie Fowler of the USA plays his tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at the Bay Hill Lodge and Country Club on March 27, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Pho

OK, so Jason Day is not an "every-Day" name, but he is 41st in the world, had five top 10 finishes last year and won the Byron Nelson.

Rickie Fowler, playing in his first Masters, is 32nd in the world rankings and will be a crowd magnet.

Many people predict that McIIlroy will win several Green Jackets, and the ninth-ranked player in the world might just start this year!

10:41: Woods, McDowell, Allenby

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 27: Tiger Woods reacts to a putt on the 2nd hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 27, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Ima

Who can forget McDowell staring down the Tiger last December at The World Golf Championships?The fifth ranked player in the world had a dream season last year. Will it continue?

Allenby has made seven out of 12 cuts at The Masters, and as the 27th ranked player in the world is no hacker.

Oh by the way, there's also Tiger Woods playing in his favorite tournament, enough said.

10:19: Kaymer, Westwood, Kuchar

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 05: Martin Kaymer of Germany watches a shot during a practice round prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Great pairing of the current and former number one players in the world and Matt Kuchar, maybe playing the best of any American not named Mickelson.

Can you really be No.1 in the world and have missed all four cuts at the most important tournament in the world? I don't think so, this will be fun to watch!