I’m a big sport lover but watching golf would usually be a passing interest, as in watch a hole or two before flicking over. Nevertheless, it’s difficult not to get a little excited on the eve of the Masters at Augusta. The most anticipated annual golf tournament in the world for spectators and fans seems to also be the player’s favourite, judging by the various photos posted on social media this week by players on some of the famous holes.

There will always be particular players and stories generating extra column inches than others ahead of any big sporting event, for various reasons. Leading up to the Masters this week, Tiger Woods has been gaining plenty attention as he continues his attempt to find some form and make his mark on a big tournament for some time. Word is that his form in practice has been good, and though he’s well down the list of favourites it certainly wouldn’t be a huge shock if Woods turned it on this weekend.

Rory McIlroy has been the other biggest talking point, the world number one looking to win the only major that currently eludes him. Being the favourite won’t faze the Irishman at all, and there’s no doubt that top of his list of golfing career goals is to exorcise the ghosts of his 2012 Augusta meltdown by winning there. It’s surely going to happen, and most likely sooner rather than later.

The Masters is steeped in history, in fact there’s history practically dripping out of the TV on this weekend each year! Drama is guaranteed every year, and this year will be no different. Some dreams may come a cropper at Amen Corner this weekend while for others the same holes may open up a path to victory. On a personal level, one of my favourite things about the tournament is the ‘off the field’ action. The slow motion shots…the deep foliage, colourful flowers and shrubs, trees of all shapes and sizes, the lush grass. And the sun is everywhere! Lighting up every blade of grass, every camera shot. Those moments in between the action allow us to take a deep breath, enjoy the vistas and the beauty of the course while we wait for the next piece of drama to kick in. Bring it on!