Tuesday LIVE from the Masters

Golf Writer Andy Reistetter is at the Masters for the week for the third consecutive year. Here are his thoughts, comments and perspectives for Tuesday 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 75^th rendition of this springtime classic!

A storm blew through Augusta, Georgia before dawn this morning.

Looks like the long hitters will have an advantage at least early in the week.

Sub-air systems can dry out the greens relatively fast but the fairways still have to let nature take its course. At least for now. If it happens someday it is a safe bet that Augusta National will be the first to have sub-air on the fairways.

High 80s and definitely "hard and fast" by the weekend.

Windy day today maybe it will be "hard and fast" by the first round on Thursday.

I am happy that I have Dustin Johnson in my fantasy pool.

There were a couple of tall Georgia pine trees snapped like tooth picks from the storm. None that would affect the playing of the golf tournament. You wouldn't have noticed anything different by noon.

While making a comment on the storm to a couple of the grounds crew workers they actually apologized to me that I had to see some natural debris around on the property.

I met a friend visiting Augusta National for the first time on a quick tour… up to the clubhouse, down No. 10, then down No. 11 to Amen Corner. Onto No. 13 Azalea and to No.16. Over to No. 7 then back up the open meadow to the oak tree at the clubhouse.

Just a taste but a wonderful morning stroll. Don't miss the new practice facility or the other side of the clubhouse to get the picture with the Masters Logo flowerbed.

I did get out to the new, last year, and upgraded, this year practice facility later in the day. The seats are better than most theatres. Plus there is a large sloped grass area behind with an excellent view of the players warming up.

There was applause for Tom Watson when he came onto the range and applause when he left.

The kind of applause that makes you feel proud to be associated with the game of golf.

Phil Mickelson also received some applause when he left the range. Masters' fans are very knowledgeable and they like their defending champions. They also are very excited about his win last week in Houston and want to cheer him on to victory again this year at Augusta.

If Mickelson wins he joins Jack Nicklaus (1965-66) and Nick Faldo (1989-90) as the only ones to defend at Augusta National.

I saw Ben Crenshaw with long hair tee off No. 1 today. Playing into the wind neither he or Johnattan Vegas carried the hill in the first fairway. Vegas outdrive Crenshaw by a few yards.

It was so windy at Augusta National there were no flags on the scoreboard to the players right of the first fairway where patrons enter the golf course.

No umbrellas over the tables on the clubhouse lawn either.

I learned an interesting fact today, the Masters converted to bent grass from Bermuda greens in 1981.

Also the player to post Top-10s in the last two years other than Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods? Hunter Mahan.

Tiger Woods has not won a green jacket in the last five Masters.

Jim Furyk came in last year after winning at The Transitions then shot 80 in the first round last year and missed the cut. Then he went on to win at Hilton Head and the Tour Championship claiming the Fed Ex Cup. Go figure!

Matt Kuchar missed the Masters from 2002-2009 now he is ranked No. 9 in the world.

Brandt Snedeker is back at the Masters after nearly missing out with a bogey-bogey finish at Pebble Beach in the U.S. Open.

Anthony Kim shot that 11-birdie record-setting round in 2009. Then closed with a 65 last year to finish 3^rd. Rumors are that he is healthy and has the right work ethic so this could be the breakthrough moment in his career, bigger than the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla.

Nick Watney also shot 65 on Sunday last year and won the WGC Cadillac Championship earlier this year. His streak of seven consecutive Top-10s may have ended but it was sandwiched by a T15 at the 2010 BMW Championship and last time out a T13 at the Transitions.

Jonathon Byrd is back at the Masters and it took more than his ace in Las Vegas to get here. Since the Timberlake is a Fall Series event he had to win his next outing which was the Kia Tournament of Champions to get in the Masters.

Last three major winners— McDowell, Oosthuizen and Kaymer are combined 1-for-7 making Masters cuts. Other than Phil Mickelson this tournament is wide open.

Another Masters lottery was announced, this time for tournament day tickets!

Tomorrow is only a half practice day. The course closes in the afternoon for final preparations for the 75^th Masters and the playing of the par-3 tournament.

Weather looks good, field is set, golf course is drying out… it is almost crunch time for the Masters!

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]