Masters Hype Unlike Any Other, Mainly Because Of Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods hits from the third tee during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament Wednesday in Augusta. The tournament starts Thursday.

Chris Carlson / Associated Press

Blame it on a generation that thinks nothing was ever as great as what just happened.

Maybe it was a tough winter, and nothing melts frigid memories like the sight of azaleas, dogwoods and Rae’s Creek. It sure didn’t hurt that all the best players, as young as 23-year-old Jon Rahm and ancient as 47-year-old Phil Mickelson, are winning tournaments and hitting their stride.

The competition is so steep that four players have a chance to be No. 1 in the world.