Storm lead to pimento panic attack
There was momentary panic for some patrons of Augusta National Golf Club as they arrived Tuesday. Shelves with one of the staples of the Masters experience, the pimento cheese sandwich, were empty.

An Interview With: Louis Oosthuizen

An Interview With: Tiger Woods

Crane shares faith at breakfast
Golfer Ben Crane urged more than 1,000 golf fans to develop a relationship with God at early morning prayer breakfast hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Europeans on cusp of world domination
Once upon a time in the 1980s and '90s, Augusta National Golf Club was a European playground. Will it be again? "We have got enough world class players now from Europe that we ought to be contending and winning more I guess," said Lee Westwood, No. 2 in a world ranking that currently counts five Europeans among the top six.

Mickelson taking it easy
Phil Mickelson is nothing if not a strategist. He's always thinking ahead of terms of what will serve him best in competition and Tuesday was another example.

Mickelson and Woods make final preparations
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson did plenty of talking Tuesday. They spent their Wednesday's doing more of the walking.

Woods confident, more relaxed
Swing change. Swing change. Swing change.

Tiger's revolutionary style influenced younger players
AUGUSTA - Tiger Woods played a different brand of golf than anyone had ever seen when he exploded onto the scene in the mid-1990s. The "Tiger Craze" that brought unprecedented attention to golf in the last 15 years attracted players who might otherwise have played different sports, and their arrival has revolutionized the game

Thumb injury will sideline Langer for several weeks
Two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer had wanted to make golfing history at this year's Masters Tournament, but he'll be sitting on the sidelines instead.

Nicklaus celebrating 25th anniversary of Masters victory
Jack Nicklaus was late and no one faulted him. He had a good reason. The 71-year-old Nicklaus arrived a few minutes tardy Tuesday afternoon after spending some time at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta. The six-time Masters Tournament champion then made his way to the Augusta National for his press conference and then the annual Champions Dinner.

Perry's chances of returning to Masters getting slimmer
Two years ago, Kenny Perry was one par away from the lifetime invitation that goes with winning the Masters Tournament.

An Interview With: Lee Westwood

Course open after storms cause delay
Gates to the Augusta National Golf Club opened on time this morning but the course was closed until 8:45 a.m. due to the storms sweeping through the area early this morning.

Golfers share Tuesday on Twitter
The big storm that blew through Augusta early Tuesday morning also affected golfers in town for the Masters. Golfers tweeted as they practiced and prepared for Par-3 Contest and Champions Dinner -- and ate some Augusta cake.

What to expect: Champions Dinner
Open only to Masters winners and Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, the Champions Dinner began in 1952 at the suggestion of Ben Hogan. Tournament founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts were made honorary members, and chairmen of the club since Roberts have been invited, too.

Langer's in town, but not to play
Two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer wanted to make history at this year's Masters Tournament, but he'll be sitting it out instead. The German golfer had surgery 10 days ago for a torn ligament in his left thumb, leaving him unable to compete. Langer was the special guest at an event at Mercedes-Benz on Washington Road on Tuesday.

Crane shares faith at breakfast
Golfer Ben Crane urged more than 1,000 golf fans to develop a relationship with God at early morning prayer breakfast hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

National recovers from fierce storms
Masters Tournament spectators listened to the drone of chainsaws and chipper shredders Tuesday after a series of ferocious thunderstorms pummeled the Augusta area with high winds and lightning. At Augusta National Golf Club's famed Magnolia Lane, workers were out at dawn cutting up and removing one of the club's historic signature trees.

Opportunity to be part of game is seen as gift
Matt Kuchar could young stars who did not play the Masters as an amateur exactly what they missed. "When you're an amateur there, you really feel special," Kuchar said of the Masters. "You get sponsor exemptions as an amateur (to PGA Tour events), but you don't feel like you're all that meant to be there. At Augusta, they really make you feel you are meant to be there."

All pros must make downtime decision
With the possible exception of Rory Sabbatini, who played 10 weeks in a row this season on the PGA Tour, pros in the Masters Tournament try to keep their consecutive weeks on the road to a minimum. Once golfers determine how many weeks in a row to play, then comes the other question: how long to stay away from the tour. What is too little time and what is too much?

Daily Masters tickets will be made available
The odds of obtaining one of the toughest tickets in sports -- a Masters Tournament badge -- have improved. Tournament patrons have had the chance to win practice-round tickets through a lottery system since 1995. Augusta National Golf Club announced Monday that, beginning in June, fans also will have a chance to win daily tournament tickets to the 2012 Masters.

Golf by the book
Recently released books on golf and the Masters include sports editor John Boyette's The 1986 Masters: How Jack Roared Back to Win.

Where to go: Course history
Augusta National lost its exhibit area this year because of additions to its tournament headquarters building, but there is plenty to see around the course.

Masters insider: Rickie Fowler
PGA Tour player Rickie Fowler is making his Masters Tournament debut. Fowler won the PGA Tour rookie of the year award for 2010, and his campaign included two runner-up finishes.

Jacket seen as Lefty's to lose
It's all about Phil. That would be defending champion Phil Mickelson, the hottest player on the planet and the favorite to win his fourth green jacket in this week's 75th Masters Tournament.

For some, practice made pointless by soggy course, winds
Augusta National Golf Club is known for its fast greens, but on Tuesday players were fighting a different nemesis. A steady wind blew golfers and their shots around the course, causing many in the field of 99 to change their plans. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were among the golfers who bagged their practice rounds altogether.

Fans corner
Pat Gorman, who has been attending the Masters since 1975, wears a hat adorned with tournament badges. Gorman is used to being photographed by patrons.

After faltering in '09, Perry thinks about more than golf
Two years ago, Kenny Perry was one par away from the lifetime invitation that goes with winning the Masters Tournament. Now, he's not even in the field. "I had my shot and I blew it," Perry said at the Honda Classic in early March.

Retreat is tucked into Amen Corner
It's so hidden away that many patrons didn't even see the new building for Augusta National Golf Club members on the course during Monday's Masters Tournament practice round.

An Interview With: Martin Kaymer

Nantz, Faldo are leaders in CBS' code of silence
Jim Nantz and three-time Masters Tournament champion Nick Faldo once again will lead the on-air broadcast team for CBS this year during the event's final two rounds. Nantz, who will call the action of both the NCAA men's basketball championship and the Masters this week, said he respects Augusta National Golf Club enough to know when his voice isn't needed.

Where to go: Par 3 Tournament
Golfers get a chance to relax today before the 75th Masters commences Thursday. Since 1960, the Par-3 Contest has allowed players to have fun in a family-friendly atmosphere. Expect to see plenty of children serving as caddies, and for some children to get pulled out of the gallery to try a putt or two.

Mickelson taking it easy
Phil Mickelson is nothing if not a strategist. He's always thinking ahead of terms of what will serve him best in competition and Tuesday was another example.

Mickelson steals Tiger's Augusta crown
There's been a changing of the guard at Augusta National Golf Club, but it's not what everyone thinks. With all eyes on a host of young players poised to supplant Tiger Woods as the next generation of green-jacketed superstar, an older gent has usurped the throne as Augusta's reigning untouchable. This is Phil Mickelson's tournament now. Check the betting line if you doubt that.

Patrons stock up on souvenirs
With two overflowing shopping baskets at her feet, Crystal Sisler sat in a corner of the Masters Tournament gift shop at Augusta National Golf Club to take a rest. "It's probably the last time I'll get to come here since tickets are so hard to come by, so I wanted to stock up," said Sisler, 63.

Mercedes-Benz launches performance center tour in Augusta
This week, Mercedes-Benz of Augusta customers can take a look at the company's latest luxury vehicles and get some advice on their golf swing.

Power outage causes pimento cheese shortage
There was momentary panic for some patrons at the Masters Tournament as they arrived at the course Tuesday.

What to Expect: State of the Masters
Billy Payne, the chairman of the Masters and Augusta National, will deliver his "State of the Masters" address at 11 a.m. today.

Amateurs respected at the Masters
The amateur golfer has always been revered at Augusta National Golf Club, the mandate and the legacy of its co-founder, Bobby Jones -- the greatest amateur golfer of them all. The 1961 Masters Tournament remains the best week in the event's history for love of the game over money.

Fan notes
On his first trip to Augusta National Golf Club, George Brown 's attention immediately went to the grass.

Woods confident, more relaxed
Swing change. Swing change. Swing change.

Masters notebook
Lee Westwood knows it isn't always best to go for the flags at Augusta National. Westwood, the world's No. 2-ranked player, said he has come to understand it takes patience to play the course correctly. It's about discipline and sometimes playing away from the flag and being happy with a 25- or 30-foot putt up the hill.

Augustan had insider's view of Masters
Kathryn Murphy is one of the most influential behind-the-scenes people in Masters Tournament history. For almost four decades, she was the executive secretary for five Augusta National and Masters chairmen.

An Interview With: Nick Watney

In the field
Many Masters Tournament first-timers sought out help Monday from their more experienced colleagues. Jason Day didn't have to look far to find help. Rory Sabbatini, who, like Day, lives in Fort Worth, Texas, played a practice round with him and showed the rookie around.

Player retired but not resting
Gary Player is retired from the Masters Tournament, but he's not resting on his three green jackets. Player continues playing golf, designing courses and supporting his foundation. To remain in top shape for his worldwide ventures, he performs 1,000 sit-ups a day (when he's not traveling). Also, Player doesn't smoke or drink. Never has.

Masters Insider: Jeff Overton
One of the most exclusive clubs in golf convenes tonight at the Masters Club. Open only to Masters winners and Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne, the Champions Dinner began in 1952 at the suggestion of Ben Hogan. Tournament founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts were made honorary members, and chairmen of the club since Roberts have been invited, too.

Kaymer looking to break streak of missed cuts
There's never been so much uncertainly surrounding the world's No. 1-ranked player's ability to contend in the Masters Tournament as there is this year. Germany's 26-year-old Martin Kaymer, who is in his sixth straight week as the world's No. 1 player, understands. He's never made the cut in his three Masters appearances.

Devastation in Japan weighs on players
The Masters Tournament set to start right outside the door might as well have been a million miles away. Instead of Georgia, the devastation of the Japanese homeland from last month's earthquake and tsunami weigh heavy on the minds of Ryo Ishikawa and Hideki Matsuyama.

Golf breakfast draws large crowd
Two-and-a-half hours before tee time, Ben Crane and his caddie arrive at the course, spiral-bound notebooks in hand. Every day of the 2011 season opens with a devotional, Crane told an early morning crowd of golf fans gathered for the Augusta Golf Breakfast, a Masters Week tradition at Warren Baptist Church.

Golfers tweet Monday of Masters week
Monday marked the first day of practice rounds for the Masters Tournament. From flubs on TV to notes of milestones, golfers in Augusta shared their thoughts on Twitter.

Rounds with champions unveil strategy, power
One of the surprise success stories of 2011, Jhonattan (pronounced Jonathan) Vegas is the first golfer from Venezuela to compete in the Masters Tournament. Jhonny Vegas will share his rookie Masters experience with The Augusta Chronicle:

Vegas pleases crowd, father during practice round
One of the surprise success stories of 2011, Jhonattan (pronounced Jonathan) Vegas is the first golfer from Venezuela to compete in the Masters Tournament. Jhonny Vegas will share his rookie Masters experience with The Augusta Chronicle:

An Interview With: Peter Uihlein

Thumb injury will sideline Langer for several weeks
Two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer had wanted to make golfing history at this year's Masters Tournament, but he'll be sitting on the sidelines instead.

An Interview With: Graeme McDowell

Fowler dreams of meaningful Sunday walk up 18
Rickie Fowler dreams of taking a meaningful walk up 18 on Sunday, a kind of walk that means he's still in the hunt.

Woods has no lack of confidence
Almost a year to the day after a much-ballyhooed Masters Tournament news conference at which a media ticket was required to enter the interview room, a much more relaxed Tiger Woods sat down for about a 20-minute media chat Tuesday. Much of the conversation focused on Woods' latest swing changes with his swing coach, Sean Foley.

Perry's chances of returning to Masters getting slimmer
Two years ago, Kenny Perry was one par away from the lifetime invitation that goes with winning the Masters Tournament.

Vendors wait for sales as fans swarm to National
Most people come to Augusta during Masters Week to see golf. Freddie James came to sell barbecue sauce. James, a vendor from St. Louis, was set up this week across Washington Road from Augusta National Golf Club, offering Freddie Lee's Ghetto Sauce and something to eat with it.

British invasion at the Masters
The British are coming. So are the Irish and the Scots. There have never been so many players from the British Isles crowding the top of the World Golf Rankings entering the Masters Tournament than this year.

Architect's work part of National
If you look closely around the grounds of Augusta National this week, you'll see several pieces of H. Lowrey Stulb's architecture. Along with the Eisenhower Cabin (also known as "Ike's Cabin"), Stulb designed the pro shop. He also designed one of the course's most famous landmarks, Sarazen Bridge.

Quiros still trying to learn tricks of Augusta National
Augusta National is the most familiar course to many golfers in the world, so imagine being a golfer good enough to qualify for the Masters Tournament but not having the vaguest idea what the course looks like.

Masters chairman wants to make sport more accessible to youth
When the video game was complete, Billy Payne had to try it out.

This year's going rate for badges is way better than par for the course
Demand for tickets to the Masters Tournament is up this year and people are prepared to pay top dollar for a chance to walk the event's famous fairways, according to online ticket traders.

No. 1 Kaymer wants to play past Round 2
There's never been so much uncertainty surrounding the world's No. 1-ranked player's ability to contend in the Masters Tournament as there is this year. Germany's 26-year-old Martin Kaymer, who is in his sixth consecutive week at No. 1, understands. He hasn't made a cut in three Masters appearances, and he is 12-over par for six rounds.

Traffic plan changes worked really well
Traffic engineers declared the first day of the new Masters traffic plan on Berckmans Road a success. "I think it worked really well," Steve Cassell, a traffic engineer for Richmond County, said Monday. "I think it really helped traffic flow."

At least 11 charged with ticket scalping
At least 11 people were charged with scalping Masters tickets Tuesday, a day after Richmond County sheriff's officers warned that they would no longer be issuing warnings for illegal ticket sales within 2,700 feet of Augusta National Golf Club.

Course open after storms cause delay
Gates to the Augusta National Golf Club opened on time this morning but the course was closed until 8:45 a.m. due to the storms sweeping through the area early this morning.

Jackson poised for 50th Masters
It was at the 2001 Masters Tournament that Carl Jackson did the math and set his goal.

Mercedes-Benz launches performance center tour in Augusta
This week, Mercedes-Benz of Augusta customers can take a look at the company's latest luxury vehicles and get some advice on their golf swing.

Kuchar in another high-profile group
Matt Kuchar was grouped with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the Masters last year, dealing with the accompanying media hoopla surrounding Woods' first start of the year after revelations of his extramarital scandal.

Masters chairman wants to make sport more accessible to youth
When the video game was complete, Billy Payne had to try it out.

An Interview With: Phil Mickelson

Kuchar in another high-profile group
Matt Kuchar was grouped with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the Masters last year, dealing with the accompanying media hoopla surrounding Woods' first start of the year after revelations of his extramarital scandal.

Chirkinian is remembered as pioneer of televised golf
Frank Chirkinian's 38th and final production of the Masters Tournament for CBS came in 1996. On Tuesday evening, the longtime CBS producer, who won multiple Emmy and Peabody awards, was honored by friends and family with a memorial celebration at West Lake Country Club.

Mercedes-Benz launches performance center tour in Augusta
This week, Mercedes-Benz of Augusta customers can take a look at the company's latest luxury vehicles and get some advice on their golf swing.

An Interview With: Gary Player

At least 11 charged with ticket scalping
Practice rounds for the second day of the 2011 Masters Tournament are under way and already at least 11 people have been charged with ticket scalping.

An Interview With: Jack Nicklaus

Mickelson and Woods make final preparations
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson did plenty of talking Tuesday. They spent their Wednesday's doing more of the walking.

Power outage causes pimento cheese shortage
There was momentary panic for some patrons at the Masters Tournament as they arrived at the course Tuesday.

Jackson poised for 50th Masters
It was at the 2001 Masters Tournament that Carl Jackson did the math and set his goal.