Will Masters explode into an orgy of Flesch? Or will radical lefty overthrow Augusta?

About 30 years ago or so, this pundit picked Steve Flesch to win the PGA Championship. The reasons were simple - looking for an underdog, Flesch had been playing well, he seems like a great guy, and his name is “Flesch.” It was like the perfect storm for a bad prediction.

Heading into Saturday at the 2008 Masters, however, Flesch has put himself within striking distance, just three shots back at Augusta National.

Flesch is an easy guy to root for at the Masters. He paid his dues on the Asian Tour and then on the then-Nike Tour to finally make his way to the PGA Tour, where the Ohio native who grew in Kentucky has captured four tournaments. And Flesch is not exactly a crazy pick - in his only two appearances at Augusta he’s finished 17th and 29th.

So here’s hoping for a good weekend for Steve. It would be a blast to see the Masters and the golf world erupt in an orgy of Flesch.

Nonetheless, tied with Flesch at 5-under is Phil Mickelson. At this point, the two-time Masters champion deserves the benefit of the doubt as the leading contender at Augusta.

Heading to weekend play, however, things are definitely up in the air, which is great news for golf fans. The weather at Augusta is promising to play a factor and names like Weir, Cink and Ames are all in contention. Plus Tiger Woods is seven back, giving him a chance to prove once and for all that he can play from behind.

It should be a great weekend of competition. And the only sure thing is this - when it’s all over, neither Trevor Immelman nor Brandt Snedeker will be the owners of a Green Jacket.

–WKW