AUGUSTA, Ga. » A thunder and lightning show that would have made Noah nervous passed through the area late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

It left Augusta National a little soggy and very muggy as players put the finishing touches on their games for today’s opening round of the Masters.

The par-3 contest was front and center for the 40,000 golf patrons fortunate enough to hold a Wednesday pass. The dress rehearsal, tucked away on the left side of Bobby Jones’ priceless property, is the last relaxing moment the golfers will have as they chase the elusive green jacket.

Australian Adam Scott breathed a sigh of relief after finishing third in the nine-hole par-3 event — eventually done in by lightning — one shot behind winners Padraig Harrington and 2011 SBS Open champ Jonathan Byrd. No one who has won this chip-and-putt show has managed to walk off the 18th green as champion on Sunday. For that matter, no Aussie has been fitted for a green jacket, so Scott is happy not to be facing that double whammy.

Oddsmakers list Tiger Woods as the favorite this week at 3-1, down from 9-1 prior to his victory at Bay Hill two weeks ago. Right behind him are Rory McIlroy (4-1) and Phil Mickelson (6-1), with the rest of the field listed in double figures. Most believe the winner will be among that threesome, but don’t count out world No. 1 Luke Donald. He is still looking for his first major that would solidify his top ranking.

THE GOLF COURSE might be a bit damp, but the signs that read "Slippery When Wet" for those walking the tight green grass of the par-3 course may be an omen for the men inside the ropes. Even with the 4-hour downpour that lit up the Augusta skies, the greens are still, well, lightning fast.

Part of the fun of being here is seeing past greats Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player standing shoulder to shoulder on a course they ruled back in the day with a combined 13 titles. They took turns wowing an appreciative crowd at the par-3 contest. Palmer just missed a hole-in-one with everyone roaring their approval as the ball settled 3 feet from the hole. He slipped it inside the cup for birdie and did a little dance for those crowded around the green.

Nicklaus has won more green jackets than anyone with six and is also the oldest winner at 46. Woods is tied for second with Palmer with four. He also is the youngest to slip into a green jacket at 21, and one of a select few to capture back-to-back championships.

McIlroy produced a few laughs at his interview session on Tuesday. Reliving last year’s collapse that began at the 10th hole on Sunday, McIlroy found solace in his final-round 80 from his parents back home in Northern Ireland and from golf great Greg Norman, who had his fair share of heartache here through the years.

Will McIlroy bounce back with a Masters victory at the ripe old age of 22?

Or will it be American icons Woods or Mickelson who rule the back nine on Sunday? Those are just a few chapters of the story in one of the most-hyped Masters of the 21st century. It’s just as likely that someone like past Sony Open winner Zach Johnson, who was victorious here in 2007, or defending champion Charl Schwartzel will walk away with the year’s first major.

That’s part of the fun of golf — the unexpected. And why millions of fans around the world will be TV-side at golf’s most prestigious event.

Paul Arnett is sports editor at the Star-Advertiser. Reach him at parnett@staradvertiser.com.