Rich Beem looks ahead to what he expects to be a close-fought Masters, and he does not believe there will be major changes to the Augusta course set-up after Jordan Spieth's record-breaking win last year.
Some have suggested the course could be more difficult this week after Jordan Spieth won on 18 under par, but being around this tournament for as many years as I have, I don't think that will be in the Augusta committee's mindset.
I think they will have applauded what Spieth did last year and how amazing his performance was. The course was in spectacular shape last year and there was very little wind, and the players were able to control their ball more.
There don't appear to be any significant changes to the course this year, but they may move a few pin positions around. Also, the fairways seem a little slower this week so we may see the guys having to hit a club more into some holes.
Don't forget when Tiger Woods blitzed the field by 12 shots in 1997 and set the record at 18 under, there were calls for the course to be altered to stop him doing the same again. But they gave it another year before making a big decision, and Mark O'Meara won in 1998 on nine under.
For me, Augusta is kind of like St Andrews - there have been the odd changes over the years, but the winning scores have been all over the map. The scoring has got more to do with Mother Nature than the course set-up.
Wide open as it gets
Picking a winner this year is extremely difficult. If you look at the list of genuine contenders, there's an argument for at least 20 players in my view. That's not something you see at the Masters, you very rarely have someone come from nowhere to win at Augusta.
This is about as wide open as it gets, and it will come down to the last man standing on Sunday and it will be a lot of fun to watch. The fans are really going to get their money's worth this year, and unless one guy blitzes the field - which I can't see happening - it will be an outstanding tournament. Who know what's going to happen?
I picked Rory McIlroy to win before Adam Scott and Jason Day won four events between them, and I'm going to stay with Rory because he can sort out the mistakes he's been making in recent weeks.
He drives the ball as well as anybody in the game, he naturally moves the ball from right-to-left and his ball striking is too good for him not to be in contention. I expect him to be one of many guys in the running over the weekend, and if he's not, I'll be surprised.
My dark horse is Ryan Moore. He likes this course, he's been a good form lately, and he can shape his ball in both directions. Ryan has a solid short game, and he's some good results here - he was the leading amateur in 2005 and was tied for 13th overall. Ryan loves the course, and he's got the confidence you need to play well here.
Get in position
It doesn't always come down to the best putter at the end of day. It's more about putting the ball in position off the tee, hitting the greens, and giving yourself enough chances to make some putts.
It's not just about hitting fairways either, it's vital to give yourself the best angle in to a lot of pin positions. Players will miss a few greens over the week, so a lot of it comes down to pitching, chipping and getting up and down.
There's a lot made of having the right ball flight at Augusta, and it does favour anyone who can move the ball right to left in the air, but you don't necessarily have to. Phil Mickelson generally likes to move the ball the other way, and he's got three Green Jackets!
I'm looking forward to another exciting week at one of my favourite places in the world, and I'm also excited about playing in the Par Three competition again on Wednesday.
I'm signed up and out at 4pm with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. It's a fun event, and I still get nervous on the first tee. There are people sitting just a few feet off the green, I've got 122 yards and I can't remember the last time I hit a ball!
It's such a great tradition, and everyone is focused on making a hole in one and going home with some crystal.