Jim Nantz: Masters features "young brigade" and veteran stars
Masters champions Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus hit the ceremonial tee shots Thursday morning, officially opening the 80th Masters in Augusta, Georgia. A mix of rising young golfers and more experienced, veteran stars will take the field for what CBS Sports Network's Jim Nantz calls a tournament that could "set the stage for the entire year in golf."
That's what the 2015 Masters did for Jordan Spieth, when he tied Tiger Woods's tournament record with the best opening round in 19 years. Since then, he has climbed the ranks to the number two player in the world.
As the defending champion goes for his second Masters win - which would make him only the fourth player to win back-to-back green jackets - other "mega" young talents are shooting for their first, which Nantz said speaks to the "expanding popularity of the sport."
"It's amazing to see and it's led by the young brigade all ready to pounce on this first major of the year," Nantz said.
That includes 26-year-old Rory McIlroy, who, despite being largely out of the spotlight because of health issues, is close to a career Grand Slam. A Masters win would grant him four legs in all major golf championships, putting him on par with only five other golfers to achieve the feat, including Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
This year's Masters also features a rookie appearance by Bryson DeChambeau of Fresno, California. Nantz said the 22-year-old had a "scientific, analytical" approach to golf, which he attributed to his education background in engineering, and an "obsession" with trying to win as an amateur, having focused the last six months solely on the Masters.
"This tournament was created by the best amateur of all time - Bobby Jones. It was his dream some years, some time for an amateur to win it," Nantz said. "Now Bryson's going to turn pro right after this and he's going to be one of the next great big things in the sport."
But the young brigade are also up against veteran players like 45-year-old Phil Mickelson and 37-year-old Bubba Watson, who are popular favorites to win. Mickelson won the tournament three times, and Watson won twice in the last four years.
Then there's Jason Day, who holds the number one ranking in the world. His 2015 PGA Championship title was his first win in a major tournament.
"He has an ability when he gets things going to kind of look like he can dominate the sport like Tiger did in his prime," Nantz said.
In addition to each other, the athletes will also battle an "x-factor" on the field - the gusty winds are sure to impact their play, which Nantz predicts will result in lower scores than normal.
One golfer who won't be seen on the field is Woods, who is recovering from back surgery and missing the tournament for the second time in 22 years, but Nantz said "it's not the last we've heard of him." Although he could not say for certain, Nantz predicted Woods might return in the summer.
"I think he's been smartly, this time, not rushing back to competitive golf. When he's going to come back, he's going to make sure he's 100 percent - his body is ready to go," Nantz said.