Sebastian Junger wrote a non-fiction book about a 1991 Halloween Nor'easter that was, as you probably know, known as "The Perfect Storm". Play just started at Augusta National in the 2009 Masters (the gentleman above starts his day at 1:52 PM ET), but the story lines are quickly adding up to what could quickly become a Perfect Storm at Augusta. In fact, could the story lines at this year's Masters make it the most memorable Masters ever? Let's dive in.-- Tiger's Return ... It would almost be un-Tiger like for him to come into the Masters without last week's Bay Hill victory. Woods is thirsty for some major championship success and will be on the course Thursday, playing alongside Jeev M. Singh and Stewart Cink when he takes his first swing since Torrey Pines. If Woods can't claim the green jacket this week, it will be the longest drought of his career at Augusta (he last won the Masters in 2005). We missed him at the British Open and the PGA Championship last year. In '09, we should get him for all four.
-- The Last of the Big Three ... Even if at some point Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els all go on to become aging stars at Augusta National and play well into their 50s and 60s, it will never match what Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player did for the Masters. This week, the South African golfer will be the final legendary member of that trio to putt out in a competitive round at the Masters, and with him another chapter in the history of this fantastic sporting event will be closed. Player was the first foreign player to win the green jacket in 1961, and he followed that up with two more Masters victories in '74 and '78. No matter what Player shoots while walking the links (that are now stretched too far for most anyone), the Johnny Cash of the PGA Tour will putt out on Friday to a much deserving round of applause.
--Phil's '09 Dominance ... If there is a guy on tour that navigates Augusta National as well as Tiger, it is Mickelson. Starting in 1999, Mickelson has missed out on the top-10 just once in 10 tries, including a stretch of two wins in three years. Casting his Shell Houston Open missed cut aside for a moment, Phil has as many wins as anyone on tour this season, and he will always be a contender at Augusta because of his short game. Want one more thing to consider before you pick your winner this season? Phil is ninth on tour in putting.
-- The Paddy Slam ... It's almost ridiculous that people are talking about a Tiger Grand Slam -- when he has won zero majors in a row -- yet aren't speaking of the Padraig Harrington "Paddy Slam", when he's gone two-for-two. Harrington has a chance to make it three straight in major championships this week in an event he has finished in the top 10 for two years running. Harrington has the game to do it, and if he does, he'd remain the hottest golfer in the world that nobody really talks about.
--The Young ... and the Old ... Whoever makes the pairings in the first two rounds of the Masters deserves three gold stars for the pairings of the phenomenal young players. In the last group of the day on Thursday, 23-year-old "veteran" Anthony Kim will tee it up with 19-year-old Rory McIlroy and 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa. It is the pairing going off just after Tiger, so as the man that was once the "next big thing" leaves the first tee, the three that should carry golf for the next generation will be striding to hole number one.
If that isn't enough, 49-year-old Fred Couples had a great week last week at the Shell, finishing third, and seems to always play well at Augusta. If Freddy could bring a little of that 1992 magic to Augusta, it would make the week all that more memorable.
--The Rest Is Best? ... It's been a very long time (at least since I can remember) since we've had such a solid group of contenders (i.e., guys that aren't named "Tiger" or "Phil"). Geoff Ogilvy, Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas, Nick Watney and Sean O'Hair are all guys that could come out hot and take this tournament over. All have that little bit of swagger that is needed to contend in majors and all seem to be playing well at just the right time. If any of these names were at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday evening, you wouldn't be the least bit surprised. And that is something you haven't been able to say in years past.
--The Weather Forecast Is, Gulp, Good? ... This is the forecast for Augusta, Ga. for the weekend, and it's incredible: Thursday -- 76 degrees and sunny; Friday -- 77 degrees and a 40 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms; Saturday -- 78 degrees and sunny; Sunday -- 72 degrees and mostly cloudy. If you can remember the last time Masters week had only one day of possible thunderstorms, and the percentage was less than 40 percent, then please let me know. Weather has been a problem in the past few years, so if the skies stay clear, it could make the week all the more stable and exciting.
