What to know for a Masters unlike any other

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They call the Masters "a tradition unlike any other." And this year's is a Masters unlike any other. The greatest golfer of all time looks poised to make a borderline-miraculous comeback, his longtime rival is mysteriously absent, and the current No. 1 player in the world is largely unrecognizable to casual fans.

Here's what you need to know as the biggest golf tournament of the year tees off Thursday:

Tiger is (probably) back. When Tiger Woods mangled his right leg in a brutal car crash in February 2021, there was concern he might never walk properly again. Much less play competitive golf. Much, much less compete in the Masters less than 14 months later. But that's exactly what the five-time green jacket winner intends to do after playing several practice rounds at Augusta and pronouncing his ball striking "just fine." Woods classifies himself as a tee-time decision, but he said yesterday that "as of right now, I feel like I'm going to play." If he does make his scheduled 10:34 a.m. ET start on Thursday, Tiger will be by far the biggest story of the tournament. If he somehow puts himself in contention — on the 25th anniversary of his revolutionary first Masters victory — Woods will add another incredible chapter to one of the most fascinating career arcs in the history of sports.

WATCH | What to know ahead of the 2022 Masters:

Phil Mickelson is nowhere to be seen (or heard). Tiger's biggest rival for the better part of this century has been on a vague sabbatical since his attempt to join the controversial Super Golf League (aka the Saudi Golf League) went south. The