Augusta, Ga.

Just walked the front nine at Augusta National during practice rounds in preparation for The Masters.

I'm always struck by how pristine this place is. It is startling even when you expect it. Practice rounds were cancelled on Monday after a severe thunderstorm. It's still overcast, but dry, today.

First thought during the practice rounds: ``Huh. Mike Weir actually won this tournament once."

I've already picked out my favorite grouping for Thursday: Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy will tee off at 9:52 Central time. Spieth is one of the best players in the game. McIlroy could this year become the best player in the game, and if he wins this week, he will have three-quarters of the career slam at the age of 24. Reed thinks he's one of the best players in the game.

You know what? He might be right. He's won three times on tour since joining the tour in 2011. He beat a great field at the WGC-Cadillac Championship earlier this year. I like that he's brash enough to call himself a top-5 player. Confidence is a great tool in golf.

I'll be filing posts and columns and tweeting from The Masters all week for the Star Tribune and startribune.com.

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The Wolves blew it with their handlnig of the Dante Cunningham stuation.

Cunningham is alleged to have committed one of the most heinous crimes in our society. Yet the Wolves rushed him to Orlando, played him extensively, and then coach Rick Adelman acted like it was no big deal.

It's a big deal. While the NBA collective bargaining agreement states that a player shouldn't be suspended until he is given due process in our legal system, that doesn't mean the Wolves had to rush him to Orlando or play him like nothing had happened. Domestic assault isn't just a serious charge; it is a disgusting charge.

If I were the Wolves, I'd rather bench or suspend Cunningham than play him. I'd rather fight a grievance than let one mediocre player taint my organization's image.

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I'll be on 1500ESPN at 12:15 or so. I'll be calling in all week at the time, and will co-host Sunday Sports Talk from 10-noon on Sunday from Augusta.