As was the case last year, the big names are all the favorites at the 2012 Masters. Tiger Woods is the favorite at 4/1 followed by Rory McIlroy at 5/1 and Phil Mickelson at 11/1. However, last year, none of that trio finished in the top three. Instead, Charl Schwartzel, Adam Scott & Jason Day occupied the spots.
Day, who is listed at 40/1, says he thinks its good for the game that the hysteria is all about the big three names.
"I think it's good for the game of golf. I think it's going to be great for the Masters this year," said Day. "Obviously with Tiger just winning recently and with how Rory has been playing this year; obviously Phil, as well, he's been playing great. There's been a bunch of guys this year that have really stepped up and played great.
You know, I think there's going to be a lot of hype. I haven't seen‑‑ obviously the tee times are not out yet, but it's going to be pretty exciting this year I think. Hopefully we can have another exciting finish like we did last year. But I kind of like flying under the radar. It's kind of nice. Not many people are paying attention to me, which is nice."
This will be Day's second Masters and he was asked this week if he had any advice for guys making their debut at Augusta this year?
"You can go around to all of the past champions and pick their brains; just what they have done in the past. If you can somehow get a practice round with them, that would be probably the best thing you can do. But if you can't do that, just keep asking questions. Just go through 18 holes.
Like I remember talking to Nick Faldo before I played the Masters last year and asking advice of him and then walking the course with some other players that have played the course before, and just asking where they would hit shots on certain holes, and that certainly helped a lot. And just pretty much enjoy yourself. It's hard not to enjoy yourself when you're here, but just have fun and don't let it get to you if you're playing bad."
Day says the most important thing is to simply savor the chance to play at Augusta.
"There's no other place like it, really isn't. The amount of tournaments I've played around the world, there's just nothing, nothing like it. This is my favorite week of the year every single year. I've only played it twice, and it really is my favorite week of the year. I really do enjoy coming back, and seeing the Members and seeing the Patrons and just playing the course.
I've watched this tournament from a kid until now watching TV; there's just so much history and tradition here, it's a fun place to be at."
For more in the 2012 Masters, be sure to check out our StoryStream and SB Nation Philly for any and all news.