Now Teeing Off..

April 8, 2021

By: Carlos Alvarez

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Nick Faldo

“The course is perfection, and it asks perfection.”

Based on weather conditions and hard-and-fast greens, the experts think 10-under is a winning score this weekend. Golf’s greatest test is back.

Letter Rip!

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THE MASTERS ️

Now Teeing Off…

Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

The Masters 2021: Round 1 Tee Times & Course Info

 

Nothing says Spring like four straight days at Augusta, and it’s finally here. After last year’s event was moved to November due to the coronavirus pandemic, A Tradition Unlike Any Other returns to its April home for the first time since 2019. That year’s winner? Tiger Woods. The G.O.A.T. won’t be in this year’s field, but the rest of the world’s best are teeing off shortly. The 85th green jacket finds new shoulders by Sunday night. But right now, it’s blank score cards with endless possibilities.

 

Getting to Know the Field

The length of Augusta National usually means big-hitters have an advantage, but the trickiness of the greens will require a soft touch, too. This year’s field features six standouts at the top in the minds of the oddsmakers, including reigning champ Dustin Johnson. Jordan Spieth has been scorching hot early in 2021, but Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are also heavy favorites. McIlroy is still searching for his first green jacket to complete the grand slam of golf majors.

 

Getting to Know Augusta

To the untrained eye, keeping tabs on the hot spots around Augusta is key to measuring success, as well as entertainment value. Hole 2 (Pink Dogwood) is a Par-5 eagle-in-waiting to open the round. Holes 11, 12 and 13 make up “Amen Corner” in what’s potentially the most dramatic stretch in all of golf. Hole 15 (Firethorn) is another entertaining Par-5 with a waterfront barrier to the green. Make it through Firethorn with a lead on Sunday? It’s still not over. Hole 16 (Redbud) is a feast or famine Par 3 that could result in an ace, or a swim in the pond. And don’t forget the iconic walk up the 18th (Holly) where the gallery awaits history.

 

Tee Times & Featured Groups (Rd. 1)

10:18 am: S. Garcia, W. Simpson, C. Bezuidenhout

10:30 am: D. Johnson, L.Westwood, T.Strafaci

10:42 am: X. Schauffele, J. Rahm, R. McIlroy

1:12 pm: P. Mickelson, T. Fleetwood, S. Scheffler

1:24 pm: P. Cantlay, S. Im, M. Fitzpatrick

1:36 pm: A. Scott, B. DeChambeau, M. Homa

1:48 pm: T. Finau, L. Oosthuizen, J. Thomas

2:00 pm: J. Spieth, C. Smith, C. Morikawa

 

All Times Eastern*

Full Round 1 Tee Times

 

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: Ranking The Masters Field From 1-88

FOX Sports: Everything You Need to Know: The Masters 2021

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NBA

Best in the West Square Off

Photo: Christian Peterson / Getty Images

Suns Top Jazz (117-113, OT) for 7th Straight Win, Pull Within 1.5 Games Back

 

Down to the wire in a west coast late-nighter. The Jazz (38-13) and Suns (36-14) — the top two teams in the NBA’s Western Conference — met on Wednesday for a shootout in the desert. Phoenix got the win, and they’re now just 1.5 games back of Utah for the best record in the league. Devin Booker (35), Chris Paul (29) and DeAndre Ayton (18) combined for 82 points to thwart a high-octane outpouring from Utah’s Donovan Mitchell (41 points). Mitchell buried a game-tying 3 at the end of regulation to force overtime, but the Suns are winners of seven straight.

 

Watch: Suns-Jazz Highlights

 

Other NBA Highlights

 

KD’s Perfect Return: Kevin Durant came off the bench in his Nets return last night after a two-month absence with a hamstring injury, and he was perfect. KD went for 17 points, 7 boards and 5 assists in the Nets’ 139-111 win over the Pelicans. He was 5-for-5 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

 

Russ on a Rampage: The triple-double king was back in peak form on Wednesday. Russell Westbrook tallied a 23-15-14 night in the Wizards’ win over the Magic (131-116). It’s his 165th career triple-double, and he’s now 16 away from Oscar Robertson’s all-time NBA record (181).

 

Nuggets Nab 7th Straight: The Suns may be the hottest team in the league, but Denver is a close second. The Nuggets claimed their seventh straight victory by beating the Spurs (106-96) thanks to Nikola Jokic’s 25-10-9 outing.

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NHL

Trade Alert: Islanders Go All In

Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

New York Acquires Kyle Palmieri & Travis Zajac, Each on Final Year of Contract

 

The New York Islanders acquired forwards Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday. In exchange, the Devils get back a pair of minor leaguers and two draft picks, including a 2021 first-rounder.

 

Why It Matters: All-In for the Isles

The Islanders are just three points out of first in the league standings. They’re currently 25-10-4, but they’re defending home ice better than anyone this season (16-1-2). The move makes great sense given New York’s needs. Their defense ranks 2nd in goals allowed (90), but they’re just 12th in scoring offense with Anders Lee out for the season. Adding two veteran forwards on the final year of their contracts means one thing: The Islanders are going for it.

 

Other NHL Highlights & Storylines

 

Draisaitl Drills Hat-Trick: Leon Draisaitl (3 goals, 1 assist) and Connor McDavid (1 goal, 3 assists) tallied four points each in the Oilers’ 4-2 over the Senators.

Matthews Leads Leafs to 1st: Auston Matthews tallied his league-leading 28th goal and goaltender Jack Campbell recorded his tenth straight win in net as the Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens (3-2) to reclaim first place in the NHL.

 

Wild End Avalanche Streak: Colorado’s 15-game point streak came to a crushing end on Wednesday thanks to an eight-goal bashing from the Minnesota Wild (8-3). Kevin Fiala scored three of Minnesota’s eight goals for his first career hat-trick.

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SOCCER

Mbappe Snaps Bayern’s Win Streak

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images

Champions League Quarterfinals: PSG Halts Bayern’s 19-Game Streak; Chelsea Continues Dream Run

 

Day 2 of Leg 1 in the Champions League Quarterfinals delivered a clash of powers on display between PSG and Bayern Munich. Chelsea also shutout FC Porto, and the Blues are in prime position to continue their run next week. Let’s recap Wednesday’s action:

 

PSG def. Bayern Munich (3-2)

After 19 straight wins in Champions League play, Bayern Munich’s epic run finally came to an end on Wednesday in a snowfall. PSG and Kylian Mbappe finally struck down the German giants. Mbappe tallied the first (3’) and last (68’) goals to push PSG over the top in a stunning upset. Bayern fired an overwhelming 31 shots but still lost. They also wanted a handball inside the penalty box just before the 90th-minute mark, but VAR denied it. There’s still hope for the titleholders in Leg 2.

 

Chelsea def. Porto (2-0)

Chelsea’s dream run is alive and well after Leg 1. Thomas Tuchel’s club weathered early pressure from FC Porto before capitalizing on two of only five attempts. Mason Mount (32’) perfectly placed a low line drive to the left post on Chelsea’s only attempt of the first half. In the second 45, Ben Chilwell (85’) intercepted a back-pass before sidestepping the keeper to ice the match. The Blues are now well-positioned to reach the semi-finals next week with a two-goal advantage.

 

Next Week’s Schedule (Leg 2)

PSG vs. Bayern (Tues. 3:00 pm ET)

Chelsea vs. Porto (Tues. 3:00 pm ET)

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (Wed. 3:00 pm ET)

Dortmund vs. Man. City (Wed. 3:00 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: PSG & Bayern Munich Put on a Show in Champions League QFs

CBS Sports: Mason Mount Inspires Blues to First Leg Win in Champions League QFs

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MLB

MLB Quick-Hitters

Four games needed extra innings to find a winner last night, and the parity in baseball is abundant early this season. We’re six games in and no team is undefeated or winless. Three teams are 5-1 after Week 1 — Astros, Phillies and Reds.

 

Bieber Fans a Dozen: Shane Bieber struck out 12 Royals batters in last night’s 4-2 win while getting run support from Jose Ramirez (2 HRs).

 

Moreland’s Walk-Off: Mitch Moreland slapped a walk-off single to give the A’s their first win of the season against the Dodgers (4-3, 10 innings).

 

Carlson Helps Cardinals Coast: Dylan Carlson sent a monster shot over the right-center wall for a grand slam in Wednesday’s blowout win over the Marlins (7-0).

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THE STORYLINES 

🏀 The Men’s All-Tourney Team

With March Madness over, it’s time to pick our All-Tournament Team, with first-team and second-team spots up for grabs. To be considered for inclusion, a player had to have reached the Elite Eight, and first-team honors were reserved for players who appeared in the Final Four. (B/R)

 

⛳️ The Weather Forecast at Augusta

From the beginning of the tournament to the end, weather in the Augusta, Georgia, area could be volatile with things heating up midweek and potentially giving way to rain and thunderstorms over the weekend. (CBS Sports)

 

⚾️ It’s Akil Baddoo’s Show, And We’re Watching

Most Rule 5 Draft picks don’t do in a season what Akil Baddoo has done in his first week in the big leagues. He’s the first player in modern MLB history to hit a grand slam, HR and walk-off in his first three career games, and he’s just getting warmed up. (MLB)

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📰 THE HEADLINES

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The Sportsletter Team

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