The 2016 Masters field expects Augusta National Golf Club to set up their annual invitational to play tougher than last year, when Jordan Spieth made a record 28 birdies in setting the 36- and 54-hole scoring records and reaching 19 under par before ending up with a 72-hole total that tied Tiger Woods' 1997 mark.
So, the course will be set up more difficult...probably. Add to that a Masters weather forecast that doesn't seem very nice.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low- to mid-60s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a morning drizzle leading into a day in the mid-70s on Thursday. However, the win should be a big factor over the first three rounds, with consistent breezes anticipated near 20 mph, playing out of the west or northwest.
A westerly wind means crossbreezes on a number of holes, but it makes the par-5 15th play into the wind, as well the approach to the par-5 13th. A wind out of the northwest makes No. 18 play, more or less, into the win, but the par-5 2nd becomes a downwind hole.
2016 Masters weather forecast
Thursday
HIGH: 74 degrees
FORECAST: AM showers, 40% chance of rain
WINDS: W 19mph
Friday
HIGH: 65 degrees
FORECAST: Mostly sunny, 0% chance of rain
WINDS: WNW 19mph
Saturday
HIGH: 65 degrees
FORECAST: Sunny, 0% chance of rain
WINDS: NW 19mph
Sunday
HIGH: 66 degrees
FORECAST: Sunny, 0% chance of rain
WINDS: W 7mph