The 2017 Masters Tournament, April 6-9 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA, kicks off the 2017 major championship season. Hazeltine's pros weigh in with who to keep an eye on at this year's event.

Mike Barge, Director of Instruction

Looks like weather (windy conditions ) will play a huge factor the first two rounds at Augusta. After that, the weekend should be perfect. I like a player with a solid short game with a proven Masters track record, which points directly at Jordan Spieth. I seem to pick Rickie Fowler every year waiting for him to be there late Sunday so will do that again.

My two "watch out for " players are Bubba Watson and Martin Kaymer with my sleeper pick Kevin Kisner. He's a local guy living just down the road in Aiken, SC.  Enjoy watching The Masters!

Brian Parkhurst, Assistant Golf Professional

Favorite: Jordan Spieth. It’s hard to bet against Dustin Johnson in his current form, but Spieth has finished 2^nd, 1^st, and 2^nd in his three career Master’s appearances. He’s a grinder, so I’d be surprised if Jordan is irrelevant on Sunday afternoon, even in bad weather.

Contender: Tyrell Hatton. Hatton has been trending upward this entire season and seems to be on the brink of a breakthrough week. He could be this year’s Danny Willett. Although, it’s always tough to know how players will fare in their first appearance at Augusta.

Sleeper: Marc Leishman. Leishman has played well at Augusta in the past, narrowly missing out on a playoff before famously cheering on fellow Australian Adam Scott to victory in 2014. He also tends to play well in difficult conditions, and has been hot with his putter all Spring. With the potential for blustery and cold weather conditions this week, look for Leishman to have a nice showing.

Chris Baisch, Assistant Golf Professional

As the 2017 season starts to golf with the 1st Major of the year, it's the first time I haven't really followed golf closely.  I know Dustin Johnson has been playing well, and is the likely favorite.  But that now changes with him not likely to play due to falling down the stairs.  With that said my favorite this week will be Jordan Spieth.  His last three Masters starts: 2nd, Win, 2nd, pretty hard to argue with that production.  For my contender, if he can get his mind right and stay patient is Rory McIlory.  I really think it's his time in the next few years to complete the Grand Slam, and this might be the year.  Lastly, my sleeper pick is Thomas Pieters.  I really started to like him at the Ryder Cup.  Watching him on the range that week, and the way he played, he for sure will be contending majors over the next 10 years.  Young with a lot of talent, it will only be a matter of time before he wins a Major.

Andy Smith, Assistant Golf Professional

Favorite: Ricky Fowler. I feel like Rickie will break out and win his first major at this year's Masters. He has started the '16-'17 season strong with 5 top 10 finishes in 9 starts, including a victory at The Honda Classic. 

Contender: Paul Casey. Casey has been playing very consistent within the past calendar year. He has four career top 10 finishes at the Masters, which include a T4 and T6 the past two seasons. 

Sleeper: William McGirt. McGirt is not a typical household name when talking about potential major champions. He fits a mold of past Masters champions like Mike Weir and Zack Johnson; who had to play to their strengths of wedge play and superb putting.

Chandler Withington, Head Golf Professional

What a fun weekend it should be in Minnesota! Spring is in the air, the course will open and we have beautiful weather on the forecast. Oh, and the Masters is being played too.

There are plenty of players to keep an eye on:

• World #1 Dustin Johnson has already won three times in 2017
• PGA Tour rookie John Rahm is turning heads having won and finishing runner up in the World Match Play
• Is this the year that Rory McIlroy breaks through at Augusta?
• Will Jordan Spieth rebound from a disappointing final 9 holes in 2016?
• Can Phil Mickelson still contend at Augusta at age 46?

To me, Jordan Spieth is too good of a putter not to be in contention at Augusta. His speed control is perfect for fast greens and he has something to prove after the disappointment in 2016.

No one seems to be talking about Bubba Watson anymore. The two time Masters Champion loves Augusta and his length off the tee is a huge combined with a high fade is a huge asset for the shape of the holes at Augusta.

I love the changes that Rory McIlroy is making to his putting stroke in getting back to releasing the putter face the way he did in 2011 – 2013. The ball striking has always been there. If he gets hot with the putter it won’t be a contest.

Favorites who will contend: Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy

Favorites who won’t contend: Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Jason Day and John Rahm

Players that no one is talking about who could surprise us: Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Justin Thomas and Brandt Snedeker

Sleepers: Adam Hadwin, Daniel Berger, Rafi Cabrera-Bello, Mark Leishman

Hazeltine National Golf Club is a private golf club located in Chaska, Minn., about 30 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The club opened in 1962 with a mission to build and maintain a golf course suitable for the conduct of national championships. Hazeltine is one of only two courses in the United States to have hosted the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, and Ryder Cup. Hazeltine’s meeting and event space, golf shop and specified services in the learning center are open to the public. More information about becoming a member at Hazeltine is available at www.hazeltinenational.com.