A stream of people young and older walked on a path along the driving range at Augusta National, most of them carrying bags from the golf shop, some of them taking home a prized trophy.
To their right was Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, smashing drivers into the horizon, one fuelled by protein shakes and the other by his own brand of coffee.
More surprising was a Brooks Koepka sighting, considering he had surgery less than three weeks ago.
More than the first major of the year, Augusta has become a 10-day celebration at the home of the Masters.
From the best women amateurs from around the world, to the 7 to 17 year olds in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals and then the 88 players in the Masters and their pursuit of a green jacket.
Justin Thomas, the No.2 player in the world who captured The Players Championship three weeks ago, is among the favourites.
So too is Jon Rahm, now with nothing but winning on his mind after his wife gave birth to their first child on Friday.
Dustin Johnson is the defending champion of a Masters that either feels like a long time ago or like yesterday.
By the calendar, he won 140 days ago on November 15, the first autumn Masters because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the colours of azaleas that were popping with colors, it can feel like November never happened.
“Now this looks like Augusta,” Match Play winner Billy Horschel said when he teed off.
Rory McIlroy, in pursuit of an elusive green jacket he needs to complete the career grand slam, was on the putting green.
Mickelson played alone.
Also arriving in Augusta on Sunday was Koepka, the four-time major champion who plans to play this week despite surgery last month on his right knee.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, had to do some math on the first tee, which is not unusual, except for these circumstances.
He was playing with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson against a pair of Augusta National members, which included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
DeChambeau wanted to know how many strokes they would be giving.
“Condi negotiated it,” Watson said.
It’s not unusual for members to play the course alongside the players.
On Monday, the stage belongs to the best in the world. It’s all about the Masters.
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