by Jules Gonsoulin

sports editor

It isn’t spring until the Masters. Most people understand the pageantry of Augusta National, the green jacket and the hype, but for those who aren’t as tuned into the Golf Channel every day, the Masters tournament and the golfers vying for the famed jacket may be just a blur. This preview should clear up confusion for any new or inexperienced golf fans.

The breaking news regarding the Masters this year is Tiger Woods: He’s not playing. The former number-one golfer in the world, with four Masters victories to his career, has decided to drop out of the Masters as well as a few other tournaments to have surgery on his injured back. Woods’ absence from the tournament opens up the possibility for a new face to win, or a more recent winner to re-establish himself as elite.

Adam Scott, last year’s winner, is poised to defend his title, though repeat wins at the Masters are rare. Since his victory last spring, Scott has traveled all over the world with his green jacket, including to his home country of Australia, where he played a set of tournaments.

Other young players that could potentially take home the jacket on Sunday include Americans Steve Stricker and Jason Dufner, as well as Rory Mcllroy, who is the overall favorite to win.