The 77th Masters Tournament tees off this week in Augusta, Georgia, and there's no shortage of story lines for this year's event:

Tiger Woods is once again the #1 player in the world, but he hasn't won a Green Jacket in eight years.

Bubba Watson is back to defend his title.

Defending champs Charl Schwartzl and Phil Mickelson are both among the favorites to win another Green Jacket.

Rory McIlroy is still in search of his first title, after leading this event by four strokes with 18 holes to play two years ago, only to shoot 80 on the final day.

ESPN 99.1's Jeff Harkness spoke with 4 Deep Golf Blog's Joel Harrington about all of these angles - and more - heading into play Thursday.

 

 

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