How to watch: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka at Capital One’s The Match

Whether your fantasy golf season starts this week or started last October, every gamer is raring to go for this week’s first major, the Masters. The Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia will host for the 82nd time as a loaded field will test every theory, analysis, rumor, trend and stat known to gamers. There’s not a doubt in my mind that this is the most popular major, by some distance, for gamers and golf fans alike. The former Fruitland Nurseries course is as familiar and comfortable as an old T-shirt to gamers and golf fans alike. Each year, we get to know the layout just a little bit better than the year prior, and that familiarity makes us all experts. We all know putts break to Rae’s Creek, a draw is better than a fade and the tournament doesn’t begin until the back nine on Sunday, right? Augusta National will welcome 87 players this week including last week’s winner Ian Poulter, the last man into the field after his victory at the Houston Open. The field hasn’t been this compact since 1997 when 86 players teed it up to witness the coronation of the new “King.” Things have changed just a bit over the last 20 years. The course has since been “Tiger-Proofed” and updated for modern equipment and technology. The course will play as a Par-72 at 7,435 yards for the 10th year running, according to the official scorecard. After the 2006 renovation, the next two editions were played at 7,445, before settling on the current yardage. Greg Norman (1996) and Nick Price (1986) share the course record, 63. Branden Grace set the major championship scoring record last year at Royal Birkdale with 62. The tournament record is 270 posted by Tiger Woods (1997) and Jordan Spieth (2015). Jason Day holds the major championship scoring record of 20 under par at Whistling Straits in 2015.  TALES OF THE TAPE Speaking of 2015, it was a record-setting performance in multiple ways for Spieth. He is the only golfer to reach 19 under par at Augusta National Golf Club to this day and only a bogey on the final hole saw him fall back into a tie with Woods for the tournament record. He incredibly circled 28 birdies, breaking the old mark by three. He led wire-to-wire, becoming only the fifth player in Masters history to do so. The last to accomplish this feat was Raymond Floyd in 1976. The commanding performance was one for the ages, but it was helped out by the conditions during the week. The course played soft and wet, and the winds were non-existent, resulting in the top five players all posting double-digit scores under par. Justin Rose made 25 birdies, tying the old record, and lost by four shots! Of the 55 players to make the cut, 32 finished in red figures. Even though the scoring conditions were ripe, no player posted all rounds in the 60s. No player ever has. Spieth looked well on his way to repeating in 2016 before hole No. 12 made another in the history books. Spieth found the water from the tee and his resulting drop and eventually made seven, a quadruple bogey. His lead turned into a three-shot deficit and Danny Willett took home his first major championship and TOUR victory with a perfect, bogey-free 67 in the final round. With blustery conditions and chilly conditions, only six players were under par for the week. Spieth was looking to join Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) as the only repeat champions. Instead, it was the Englishman who joined Charl Schwartzel as the only players this century to make the Masters their first victories on the PGA TOUR. Schwartzel (66), like Willett, also had the round of his life on Sunday in 2011, as he birdied the final four holes, the only player to do so to win the Masters. Garcia finally found the extra gear he was searching for in his previous 18 editions at Augusta National, as he won in a playoff against Rose. The Spaniard joined his heroes Seve Ballesteros and Jose-Maria Olazabal after making up a two-shot deficit with six holes to play to catch Rose and force a playoff, the 18th in tournament history. His 19th Masters and 74th major championship finally saw him cross the finish line first. Garcia’s ball-striking has always been his calling card and it was on full display. Nobody remembers any of the putts he made on the back nine because they were all inside five feet! The average winning age of a Masters champion was just over 35; Garcia was 37. NOTE: Golfers inside the top 25 in each statistic on the 2016-17 PGA TOUR are listed only if they are scheduled to compete in the Masters. * – Finished inside the top 10 at the Masters since 2013. Greens in Regulation Rank Golfer 2 Kyle Stanley 3 *Paul Casey 4 *Jordan Spieth 8 *Sergio Garcia 9 *Dustin Johnson 11 Gary Woodland 13 Patrick Cantlay 16 *Hideki Matsuyama 17 Tony Finau 21 Jon Rahm 25 *Justin Rose Bogey Avoidance Rank Golfer 1 *Jordan Spieth 3 *Paul Casey 4 *Dustin Johnson 5 Chez Reavie 6 Patrick Cantlay 7 *Ian Poulter 8 *Matt Kuchar 11 *Rickie Fowler 13 Webb Simpson 14 Jon Rahm 15 *Hideki Matsuyama 17 *Sergio Garcia 18 *Marc Leishman 19 Pat Perez 21 Justin Thomas 22 Tony Finau Par-4 Scoring Rank Golfer 1 *Jordan Spieth 2 Justin Thomas 3 *Paul Casey 4 *Hideki Matsuyama 4 Jon Rahm 6 Tony Finau 6 *Justin Rose 6 *Rickie Fowler 6 Francesco Molinari 6 *Dustin Johnson 6 Chez Reavie 15 *Ian Poulter 15 *Daniel Berger 15 *Matt Kuchar 15 *Sergio Garcia 15 Xander Schauffele 15 Kyle Stanley Par-5 Scoring Rank Golfer 1 *Hideki Matsuyama 3 *Dustin Johnson 5 *Phil Mickelson 5 *Rory McIlroy 7 Tony Finau 7 Patrick Cantlay 7 Jon Rahm 11 *Rickie Fowler 12 *Charl Schwartzel 12 *Justin Rose 12 *Charley Hoffman 18 *Jordan Spieth 18 Pat Perez 18 *Marc Leishman 18 Kyle Stanley 18 *Jason Day 24 Gary Woodland 24 Justin Thomas Gamers who use ONE SET of data to determine their paths won’t last long in any formats. Using absolutes doesn’t work either. There are too many factors, including having human beings behind the wheel, that make these declarations silly and unnecessary. For example, there is an old thought that you have to hit a draw to win the Masters. Jack Nicklaus won six green jackets, the most ever, playing a fade. Another misnomer is great putters win at Augusta. They sure do and they sure can. Does anyone rattle off Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Danny Willett or Sergio Garcia as great putters? Well, they’ve won five of the last six here, and Watson has won TWICE, so that theory is also flakier than a pimento cheese sandwich left in the sunshine. There are many reasons why experience counts this week, but I’ll also point out a few examples of how it might not. This isn’t a course players can drop by and play as much as they like when they would like. There are finite opportunities to get acquainted if you’re not an annual attendee. I’ll point out Paul Casey (T6), Jason Day (T2), Jordan Spieth (T2) and Thomas Pieters (T4) have vanquished this theory. Heck, Day posted 12-under that included 64 and 68 in his first trip and didn’t win. That’s a record by the way for low score from a first-time participant. If you head back to 1979, Fuzzy Zoeller is the only player to win on his first try after 1950. Schwartzel, Spieth and Willett all won on their second try. Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson needed three. Experience is the trend but it doesn’t disqualify those without. Augusta National challenges every facet of the game and every club in the bag, but rewards excellent golf shots while punishing marginal ones. The multi-tiered greens are difficult to attack from the first cut, where the golf ball won’t hold any spin. Once on the greens, being below the hole is imperative to scoring, as the greens can run at any speed they would like. The risk-reward holes of the back nine remind us that Bobby Jones wanted action coming down the stretch to identify a champion, but it’s interesting that 22 of the last 27 winners have come from the final pairing. The five exceptions have all been since 2007 and include Zach Johnson (2007), Schwartzel (2011), Watson (2012), Scott (2013) and Willett (2016). There are ALWAYS exceptions to the rules! With uneven lies everywhere besides the tee boxes, elevation changes, closely-mown areas, nuanced greens, swirling winds and immense pressure on the weekend, even the best, most-experienced players (see: Garcia, Sergio) can and will struggle. I lean on the experience angle this week not to identify the winner, but rather to figure out who’s going to be lurking Sunday. I just want a chance. I can’t project 66 from Schwartzel or 67 from Willett on Sunday, so I’m searching for the most likely candidates. I’m leaning on players who know when to attack and from which spots and who might have learned a few lessons over the years. I’m leaning on guys who won’t get confused over which way a putt breaks or what the roars across the property could mean. I need guys who won’t care who is charging up the leaderboard or who the crowd is rooting for. Their names stick out like sore thumbs below and there’s a reason for that. Course Ratings: 2015: Fourteenth-most difficult of 52 played; 0.536 strokes above par. 2016: Third-most difficult of 50 played; 2.421 strokes above par. 2017: Second-most difficult of 50 played; 1.887 strokes above par. Rob Bolton’s Power Rankings will give you more juice for the week so make sure you stop by. It’s also who I trust with the weather each week so pay attention! NOTE: The groups below are comprehensive to assist in data mining. Inclusion doesn’t imply automatic endorsement in every fantasy game as all decisions are specific to your situation. CONFIDENCE MEN Selected golfers with multiple cuts made sorted by rank on the tournament’s money list. BUILDING CONFIDENCE Sorted by best finish, selected golfers who are either finally finding form on the course or are still relatively new to the tournament but have enjoyed some success. OTHER SIGNS OF CONFIDENCE Sorted by most recent top 10s, selected golfers for whom it’s been a few years since their last.

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Argentine golfer Eduardo “El Gato” Romero, best known for winning eight titles on the European Tour, has died at 67.

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Dear Dad, It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years … People say time heals all wounds, but I don’t believe that. Sure, as the years have gone by, I’ve learned how to manage my sadness in losing you. But the pain never really goes away. I think about you every day, miss you every day. Even as I write this, the waterworks are starting. I still remember the last time I saw you. I remember what I was wearing that day; I remember what I had for breakfast (as usual, you made us banana pancakes). Mom then took us to school, and as we were pulling out of the garage, you were standing there on the stairs, blowing us kisses. I cling to that last memory, comforted in knowing how much you loved us. A few hours later, I was in the school cafeteria. I couldn’t hear the intercom but, apparently, they were calling my name, and some friends told me I was wanted in the principal’s office. I didn’t think much of it, but when I got there, Aaron was there too. We were told something was going on with your plane and that we were being sent home early. Aaron said, “Why don’t we just call his cell phone?” And I thought to myself, “I’m sure they’ve already tried that,” but I didn’t want to scare him, so I didn’t say anything. So Aaron tried calling, but you didn’t answer; it went straight to voicemail, and I got more anxious. Johnny Brendle picked us up and took us home, and as we were driving, he wouldn’t turn on the car radio – another inkling that something was wrong. Then when we rounded the corner to go down our street, I saw a news truck. I remember that taking my breath away, that’s when I knew that it was something bad, but I tried to keep control of my emotions, mainly for Aaron’s sake. Or maybe because I didn’t want to let myself think the worst just yet. There were lots of people at the house. Mom met us at the door and we went upstairs, to yours and Mom’s bedroom. We sat on the bed and that’s when she told us what happened. I fell backwards onto the bed, screaming. And I kept screaming for what seemed like forever. Finally, the three of us hugged each other as tight as possible, and the rest of the day is a bit of a blur. That night, we all slept together in yours and mom’s bed. I fell asleep with the pillow you used for your sore neck. It smelled like you, and that smell helped me fall asleep that night and for many nights to come. I clung to that pillow and the smell of you for as long as I could. And Mom … she was hurting so much that day, but she stayed strong for us. You would’ve been so proud of her. I think it’s the milestone events when I’ve missed you the most these last 20 years. Graduating from high school, graduating from college – that was always a big thing for you. I know you’d be pleased that I got a degree from Clemson, but you’d be super-pumped that Aaron played golf at SMU, where he was the team captain. He’s done a better job than I have at following in your footsteps. I got three extra years with you, and he was robbed of that, but he’s an amazing person. Aaron’s still involved in golf. He just got named tournament director for the season-opening event on the LPGA Tour. That’s a big promotion, and I’m so excited for him! He’s so much like you — he’s the life of the party, has never met a stranger. Everybody is his best friend. Sometimes when Mom sees Aaron walking, or sees some of his mannerisms, she’ll just say out loud, “Oh, that’s so Payne.â€� He and his wife Naiara got married a couple of years ago, and they’re living in Orlando, close to Mom. Sometimes I’ll text him and ask if he’s checked on her lately – not that she needs anybody to do that. But I’m happy he’s close by. Speaking of … I’m also married, to a wonderful man named Patrick. That was on Oct. 10, 2015 – and it was another day that I really missed you. I will always remember the time we watched “Father of the Brideâ€� and we talked about you walking me down the aisle. I always dreamed of that day – with you in it. When the day finally arrived, I knew you were there in spirit. After all the bridesmaids had gone into the church, I was waiting behind the closed doors in the back. Mom was standing next to me, holding my hand when Aaron came to get us to walk down the aisle. We all looked at each other and started to tear up, all thinking that you should have been there. But Aaron — just like you would’ve done — cracked a little joke to make me laugh so that I wouldn’t cry all the way to the altar. We then looked at each other and said, “It’s going to be a wonderful day.” And it was. The doors opened and the three of us walked together down the aisle. But the joy of that day will always have a tinge of sadness. That’s just how it is now. You would love Patrick. He’s patient and kind. He’s a lot like Robert, so smart and he can command a room. He gets things done and he’s handy — every time we go home to visit Mom, she has a list of things for him to help her fix, and he does it with a smile. He’s also my partner in parenting, just like you were with Mom. And when he’s at home, he focuses on being a dad, wanting to spend time with William and me. We’re his priority. I’m sure you’re happy to know that I’ve found my soulmate, just like you and Mom did. That’s another milestone I want to tell you about – my little boy. He just turned 14 months old. We named him William Robert, after you and Robert. William has your beautiful blue eyes. He also has your mischievousness. Oh, and not surprising – he loves to entertain, just like you did. Right now, his big thing is playing hide-and-seek; he thinks it’s hilarious. When I make pancakes for him, I’ll sometimes sing him the pancake song that you used to sing to us … “Aunt Jemima pancakes, without the syrup, is like the spring, without the fall …â€� I inherited your singing voice and can’t carry a tune in a bucket … but he lights up anyway, just like Aaron and I used to. I told Mom recently that I’ve never appreciated her more than in these last 14 months since I’ve been a mother. If I was put in the same situation that she faced, well, I hope I would make the same choices and be able to raise my child the way she did. She pulled off a miracle with me and Aaron in that we’re not 100 percent messed up. She stepped up and was our rock, even though her world was falling apart. She filled that dual role. The sacrificial love that she gave us, basically putting her life on hold so she could focus on the two of us … it’s incredible. When you have a tragedy that early in life, there are a lot of different paths you can go down, and she was intent on making sure we lived up to your legacy. She came to every one of my volleyball games, and she watched Aaron play golf and other sports. She was always there to support us. She’s an amazing mom — and now she’s an amazing grandmother. We try to talk every day, and she gets bent out of shape if she doesn’t get her daily FaceTime. Of course, I think I’ve been replaced by William on those calls, but that’s OK. It’s wonderful to see her in that role. But at the same time, I know her heart hurts. She realizes this is a season of life you would’ve both enjoyed, being grandparents together. She pours everything into William and she puts on a wonderful face, but sometimes I sense a little sadness there. It’s bittersweet, as many things are. Fortunately, we’ve been comforted by all the things that keep your memory alive, and all the lives that have been positively impacted since you died. We’ve received so many letters from people telling us how much you meant to them, and how they re-evaluated their lives after your accident. People have been brought to Christ through your death. I know you’d want to hear that. Then there’s the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Payne Stewart Award and all the other things to keep your memory alive, with people realizing why your life was so significant — not only that you were a great golfer but that you strived to be a great person. That’s incredibly important in our society right now. Not sure if you can see it from up there, but we need more people like you. We need to know and believe in people who do the right thing. One of my best friends from Clemson sent me a message on Instagram — that’s an app on social media, you would have loved it! – after this year’s Payne Stewart Award presentation. The sister of one of her friends was part of Kids Across America, which is supported by our family foundation and Southern Company’s Payne Stewart Award Grant, and now she’s a teaching professional! Such a small world, to see how this person’s life was impacted by you. That connection is one of many “winks from God” I get on a regular basis to let me know you’re watching over me. People still ask me, even 20 years later, how I’m doing. I tell them we’re OK. A lot of people lose a father, and they don’t have the backbone of support from their mother like we did. We were very fortunate that way. But the holidays are coming up, and those always bring back memories. I remember how much you loved Christmas; the music on full-blast as soon as Thanksgiving arrived, and you wearing your Santa hat and putting up the huge tree with all the lights. You made it such a joy. After the accident … well, to be honest, that joy was missing for a few years. But as our family has expanded, we’ve done a better job at celebrating together. As much as we love and miss you, I’m so grateful for being your daughter. Although I only had you for 13 years, I wouldn’t trade those years for anything. You showed me more love than a lot of kids get their entire lives from their dad, and I feel incredibly blessed to have been given that amount of time. I’ve often described myself as Daddy’s little girl. It’s a label I wear proudly, and it’s your legacy that I look forward to sharing with William one day. He needs to hear about his granddad. He’ll never get to meet you, but he will keep you alive in his heart, just as the rest of us have been doing for 20 years … and will continue to do, forever. I love you, Daddy. Payne Stewart died at the age of 42 on Oct. 25, 1999, in an airplane accident that also killed five others, including Chelsea’s godfather, Robert Fraley, whom she refers to in the letter. (Johnny Brendle, also referenced, is a retired PGA TOUR rules official and was the Stewarts’ next-door neighbor). Chelsea Stewart O’Brien, her brother Aaron Stewart and their mother Tracey Stewart have kept Payne Stewart’s memory alive with their involvement in many charitable activities, including the Payne Stewart Award, given annually by the PGA TOUR and presented by the Southern Company to the PGA TOUR player who best embodies character, charity and sportsmanship. For more information on the Payne Stewart Award, click here.  MORE ON PAYNE STEWART LISTEN: In a special, emotional episode of the PGA TOUR’s Up & Down podcast, Chelsea Stewart O’Brien and her brother Aaron Stewart discuss the day they lost their father and the impact his presence has – and continues to make – on their lives and the lives of fans around the world, two decades later. Download Up & Down everywhere you can listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, RSS or TuneIn). FAMILY ALBUM WATCH: Looking back at Payne Stewart’s legendary life and career.

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