There's a reason why there's a big smile on the face of your favorite golf fan this week - The Masters is back!

There really is no clear cut favorite this week in Augusta, where the weather is expected to be a bit on the chilly side.

In this edition of "Off The Tee" with Joel Harrington from 4 Deep Golf Blog, we talk about the top stories and hottest players coming to the first major of the season.

Some of the headlines:

  • Because of bad weather, Jim Herman had to wait an extra day to win the Shell Houston Open, his first ever PGA Tour victory, after 16 years as a professional. It turns out Herman used to work for Donald Trump, and credits 'The Donald' for jump starting his tour career. Herman will be in the first group that tees off at The Masters, Thursday morning.
  • Henrik Stenson continues to play like a Masters favorite. In the last two events he's entered (Bay Hill, Houston), he's finished third (tied) and second. Stenson is a 25-to-1 shot to win this week.
  • So who will be wearing the green jacket Sunday in Augusta? A trio of players - Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and defending champ Jordan Spieth - are listed at 10-to-1 or better to win.
  • Just days before The Masters, CBS did a profile of Bubba Watson on 60 Minutes. In the piece, Bubba talks about his 'mental issues', which include a fear of a number of different things, including people.
  • Minnesota native Sammy Schmitz is in the field as an amateur after winning the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. He tees off at 10:56 AM CDT, Thursday. Schmitz is in a group with 2003 Masters winner Mike Weir.

Listen to my complete conversation with Joel here:

More From KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls