Good morning. I’m Dan Gartland, and while I suspect most of you already know this, I feel it’s a public service to point out just how solid the official Masters app is. I honestly wish every sport had an interface that intuitive—and free! Today in SI:AM, we’re looking at the start of the Masters at Augusta, the latest in NFL free agency, and a pretty incredible baseball comeback story.
For 99% of sports fans, the golf season effectively begins today. It’s hard to stay locked into golf when other seasons are mid-stride, so consider this your primer for the four days that actually matter. First, there’s Rory McIlroy. Last year he finally grabbed that elusive green jacket—relief doesn’t even begin to cover it—but his form is a bit of a question mark coming into this week. He had back spasms at Bay Hill and a middling finish at the Players. Is he peaking? Maybe not.
Then you have Bryson DeChambeau. He’s as much an internet personality as a golfer—his Instagram bio literally lists “Content Creator” before his actual job. He’s taking his equipment obsession to a new level this week by potentially using a 3D-printed 5-iron. Whether or not that gets USGA clearance, it’s going to be a spectacle. He’s definitely a character, and honestly, the way he tinkers with his game—it’s borderline obsessive.
Then there’s Gary Woodland, who I think everyone is quietly cheering for. He’s back after a brain tumor surgery and dealing with the reality of PTSD—the sound of the crowd, the anxiety of it all. He told reporters about a scary moment during the Houston Open, feeling like people were trying to kill him on the course. Security teams saved the day there. It’s heavy stuff, but he managed to win that tournament. It’s a remarkable turnaround.
And what about Scottie Scheffler? He’s looking a bit more human this season, ranking 82nd in strokes gained on approach shots—a massive dip from his usual dominance. But Augusta is his place. Maybe he finds his rhythm here?
Anyway, checking in on the rest of the sports world: Albert Breer is breaking down the latest NFL contract trends, and Conor Orr has a wild mock draft up on Misryoum. Also, don’t miss Tom Verducci on Mike Soroka’s resurgence in Arizona. It’s been a long road for him. Wait—I almost forgot to mention Shane Lowry playing fetch with his dog using a hurling stick at Augusta yesterday. That’s the kind of content you actually need on a Thursday morning.