Former Baylor School and University of Georgia golfer Keith Mitchell is coming off consecutive top-10 finishes as a PGA Tour rookie. He is 75th in the FedEx Cup standings, one spot ahead of 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia. Mitchell, 26, was a guest this week of "Press Row" on Chattanooga's ESPN 105.1 FM:
Q: What are you going to do this weekend?
A: "Nothing. People ask me if I'm going to the Masters even though I'm not playing, and it's a legitimate question, because I love going there and hanging out and getting the vibe of this week. I'll definitely be watching it with other guys living here in Sea Island (Ga.). We'll have our own little Masters party.
"As a golf fan and as a golf player, it's the best week of the year."
Q: What do you expect to see from Tiger Woods?
A: "I think he's going to play great. I'm not trying to act like a Tiger expert, but in my opinion, he's gotten back to his old habits. He doesn't really have a swing coach, so he's getting back to his old feel. He also just knows that course better than everyone.
"He's made 20 appearances, and he's won four times. That's experience that half of these young guys don't have. Justin Thomas is No. 2 in the world, but this is just his third Masters. That doesn't compare to what Tiger has."
Q: Who is your pick to win it?
A: "This is the toughest Masters to do this that I can remember. It is so stacked. Rory McIlroy is playing great, and this is the last leg he needs for the Grand Slam. You have Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth, who has finished outside of second only once or twice there, which is insane. Jason Day has had a chance after 54 holes. I think it's impossible to choose anybody.
"I would probably pick Tiger if I had to."
Q: Have you played in a tournament with Tiger this year?
A: "We were in San Diego, and I actually played in the group behind him on Sunday. On No. 6, I literally wanted to take a picture, because everyone on the sixth green was turned around to watch Tiger teeing off on No. 7. I saw nothing but the backs of people.
"I've never hit onto a green in which the entire grandstand was looking the opposite direction. It was crazy."
Q: Who is somebody we're not talking about enough this week?
A: "I think Brian Harman has a chance just because of the way he putts. He hits it really straight, and he putts it great. This Masters field is really small, and the cut is like 44 and ties. Almost half of the guys are amateurs or past winners who aren't really competing, and I think Brian Harman right now may be the most consistent player.
"If you're consistent for four rounds at Augusta, the chances of you finishing in the top 10 are extremely high."
Q: While playing, have you ever said, "Be the club," while the ball is in the air?
A: "I've actually said, 'Be the wrong club,' more often. If you're ever in the fairway and you chunk one, you hope you have the wrong one and it will go the right distance."
Q: What's the most annoying thing you hear from fans?
A: The worst is when you're around the green and chipping, and people yell 'Go!' as soon as it lands on the green no matter how hard you hit it. I'll hit a chip shot too hard, and I'm saying, 'Sit,' while the whole crowd is yelling, 'Go! Go! Go!'
"Then they see what's happening, and it's like 'Stop! Stop! Stop!'"
Q: What age should fans stop giving golfers high-fives as they walk to the tee box?
A: "I don't mind giving a little kid a high-five, but last week when I was signing autographs, this 28- or 30-year-old guy was like, 'Can I have your hat? Can I have your hat?' I had been wearing the hat all day. It was gross. It was sweaty.
"He kept yelling at me for my hat, and I was like, 'What are you doing?'"
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.