Greens are ready at Augusta, officials say

Officials of the Augusta National Golf Club say the course is ready for the Masters tournament, which begins Thursday.

"It is truly in magnificent condition, certainly the best turf conditions of any Masters I have personally experienced," says Billy Payne, chairman of the Augusta National and the Masters.

"We are constantly monitoring the moisture content, the firmness of the greens, and we want them to be as much as possible the same greens on Sunday as the players see when they arrive on Monday," says Fred Ridley, chairman of the tournament's competition committee.

There have been concerns about the course, after the area received three inches of rain. There is a chance of showers again this weekend.

In 2007, the players competed on a course that was dry, making it firmer and faster. Players also had to contend with windy conditions.

Zach Johnson pulled off a surprise victory that year, but ever since has encountered arguments that his win was a "fluke."