On a day when players were looking to ramp up their Masters preparations they were forced to stay indoors as storms and torrential rain forced the gates at Augusta National to be closed. BRENDAN JAMES caught up with World No.4 Jason Day – to talk about his chances and the recent Aussie domination of the PGA Tour – and Houston Open winner Matt Jones, in our first Postcard from Augusta.

DAY IS RARING TO GO

It was a miserable start to Masters week at Augusta National with torrential rain and storms forcing the evacuation of the course and the abandonment of the first official practice day. None of that mattered to Jason Day.

In fact, he couldn’t have been happier. He’s back playing pain free and his preparation on course at Augusta is now entering its sixth day, which is six days more than a lot of competitors this week, especially those that played the Houston Open and arrived at the course as storm clouds trundled across the Augusta sky.

Jason Day gets in some early practice on Monday morning before the storms hit Augusta. PHOTO: Getty Images

Day hasn’t played a tournament for six weeks, courtesy of a strained ligament in his left thumb – an injury he sustained en route to winning the WGC Accenture World Matchplay at the end of February. While on he sideline he also injured his back while playing with his 20-month-old son, Dash.

But the 26-year-old Queenslander is confident neither injury will be an issue this week as he aims to become the second Australian to win the Masters.

“It's (the thumb) fine,” Day said with a smile. “I've had about six weeks off now and I had a cortisone injection into it on Monday of last week, straight on top of the knuckle with Dr. Michael Roff back home in Columbus. I had time off after the injection and everything's been progressing nicely. There's no pain.

“I'm taping it just as a precaution, so you'll see some tape on my thumb, my left thumb.  I mean, I have tape on my right wrist and my left hand now, but all that stuff is just a precaution and I've been icing it a lot.

“It has been frustrating for me because just coming off the WGC win at the Match Play, I was playing some pretty good golf. It was trending in the right direction going into Doral and the Florida Swing.

“It’s just something so small, it's so frustrating, because everything else is fine, but you need your hands to grip the golf club, and every time it hurt when I swung the golf club, I would kind of flinch at impact and you just can't compete against the best players in the world doing that.

“To get the cortisone injection into it, to be able to swing pain‑free now, is great.”

As has been his routine since his Masters debut in 2011, Day and his young family arrived in Augusta last Wednesday, a full eight days before the opening round, to start preparations.

“I knew the storm was coming in today so I got out early to get nine holes,” Day said. “I’ve played 36 holes over the last four days or so. It was always good prep for me to come in last Wednesday because that’s what I have always done in the past and it has worked out great.

“Some guys like playing the week before … it just depends on what kind of mindset you like coming into the event.”

Day confessed that his long game till needs some tweaking before Thursday and as the first round approaches he knows his biggest challenge is to avoid getting too excited.

“I just need to tighten a few things up like the driver and fairway metals but apart from that the short game feels pretty solid and everything else has come along nicely,” he said. “The prep has been solid.

“I’ve played a few more holes than I did last year, I just need to get those competitive juices flowing and really thinking about what I need to think about on the course when I’m playing and competing and go on from there.

“We’ve got two more days before we have to get going and I’m trying not to get too excited. I’ve been here since Wednesday so its hard not to get excited, it’s like c’mon man let’s get going. But you don’t want to rush into it too much and I know myself I don’t want to rush into it too much because I haven’t played for six weeks.

“So preparation for me is huge … the more time I get the better. I’m actually glad I came out this morning and played nine holes before the storms rolled in and I know that’s nine holes more than a lot of guys playing this week.”

There is a growing wave of belief among the international press gathered here at Augusta National this week that an Australian will win the Masters this week. Adam Scott, the defending champion, will start as equal favourite with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlory, while debutantes Steve Bowditch and Matt Jones as well as John Senden, playing his fourth Masters, are not out of the frame based on their victories in recent weeks.

World No.4 Day, who finished tied second in 2011 and third last year, also has strong claims on becoming the second Australian to don a coveted Green Jacket.

“I think the course sets up nice for me,” he said. “I hit the ball pretty long and I hit the ball pretty high, as well; with how the greens are, the undulation on the greens, the speed of the greens, you definitely need to hit it a lot higher than lower.

“My coach and myself, we've come up with a good game plan over the last three years that has worked pretty well.  For me it was just about going out there and executing the plan.

“So as long as I just keep doing the prep and work hard, hopefully it will fall my way. I feel like I have a really good game plan in place and I've just got to go out there and just do the work.”

Day's last tournament appearance was at the WGC Accenture World Matchplay, which he won, in February.

He agrees that Australia’s recent rush of wins on the PGA Tour (four out of the past eight winners have been Australian – has a lot to do with Scott’s Masters win in 2013.

“Going back last year after Scotty won, it was very inspiring for I think a lot of golfers that are on the Tour to kind of kick their game up another level,” Day said. “

“I remember back in the day when I would hear a story about Adam Scott playing when I was a junior, and just hearing the stories about him playing in the same events as me; knowing that he is a person that I've known in the past and if he can do it, I can do it, as well, and I think a lot of the Australians are doing that exact same thing and having that exact same mental approach to the tournaments that they are playing recently.

“It's not surprising to see Steve (Bowditch) play well in a windy kind of place, because his short game, everyone saw how good his short game was.  And then Matt Jones, exactly the same thing, played great, phenomenal chip‑in and I'm definitely excited to see how the guys go this week.

“I think it (Augusta) sets up well for an Australian to play well. I know Scotty has said that in the past; that Augusta does set up well for an Australian. Those guys should have a good shot at competing this week.”

Some of the American press have quietly suggested the Aussies here in Augusta have a pack mentality. One even told me “they’re like the Aussie Wolfpack”.

Day chuckled at the thought.

“I played a practice round with the young amateur Oliver Goss, on Saturday. I saw Scotty here Friday and Saturday. We are all hanging around each other which is good,” he said.

“It is the Masters.  It's the biggest tournament of the year, so we all kind of stick together and we'll see each other in the locker room, we'll see each other on the range and we'll say hello to each other. It's good to see familiar faces, but there's one thing that we have to do is we have to go out there and compete and play against each other.

“It's interesting. I think there will be, just like it has in the last few years, I think there will be some Aussies up there. We'll soon see because there's a lot of guys that are coming into form as of late, Bowditch and Jones.  It's tough to tell … Scotty's been playing great. He has an opportunity this week to get to No. 1, if he wins. It's exciting stuff for Australian golf right now.”

The one thing Day failed to mention, was his own situation. He could fulfill two dreams in one week – to win the Masters and become World No.1.

“Yeah, I'm just not trying to think of that,” Day said. “I can't get to No. 1 if I don't win, so my biggest thing is just to really focus on myself, and I just need to go out and not really think about the outcomes that could possibly happen; if I do this, then this will happen, or get caught up in stuff that can make my game go backwards.

“I think that's what mental toughness is, is to be able to stay in the present and really focus on what you need to do to produce the result in the long run.  My goal is obviously to be able to get to No. 1 one day and to have a green jacket, and I can do that in one week. That's exciting stuff for me, it really is, because I know that there's been a lot of hard work and dedication that I've put into the game for many, many years, and it could all pay off in one week. But you know, stuff like that, you've got to put it out of your mind.

“I know that it's going to be a long week. It's Monday and I've got a couple more days of practice and good prep I need to get into, too. If it happens, it happens but I'm going to give it a good shot.”

STORMY MONDAY

Players and spectators had to be evacuated from the Augusta National course, just three hours into the first official practice day for the 2014 Masters, because of severe storms.

Spectators are evacuated from the Augusta National course after a weather warning was issued. PHOTO: Getty Images

A massive storm front caused major flooding, hail and some tornadoes as it swept across the southern American states and moved into the Augusta area late on Monday morning.

A sign on the course as storms close in. PHOTO: Getty Images

Spectators, some who had queued since 5.30am before the gates opened at 8am, were ushered from the course as the inclement weather siren was sounded. There were 31 players out on the course preparing for the tournament including Australians Jason Day, Marc Leishman and John Senden.

Within an hour of the siren being activated, the course was deserted and torrential rain soon followed. Thunder and lightning rolled in shortly after midday and rocked the clubhouse and nearby media centre while southern Atlanta, just three hours drive to the west, was put on tornado watch.

With the poor weather expected to continue throughout the afternoon, the Masters Committee decided not to reopen the gates to the public and Monday Practice Day was officially abandoned based on safety concerns.

“We are disappointed that our patrons could not enjoy today’s practice round, however safety must be our first concern. We look forward to seeing these patrons next year,” said Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.

The last time gates did not open due to bad weather during a scheduled day was Monday, April 7, 2003.

JONES: AUGUSTA IS "ICING ON THE CAKE"

This time last week Matt Jones was planning to get away from golf during Masters week. All that changed on Sunday afternoon with a 45-foot birdie and an amazing play-off chip-in. In the space of 30 minutes, his career took an about face.

The 33-year-old Sydneysider was still on a high about his victory when he arrived in Augusta on Monday morning as the last player into the field for the 78th Masters Tournament.

So much had happened in the 12 hours between winning and arriving at Augusta, Jones’ head was still in a spin.

“I don't even know if I can remember (the past 12 hours),” Jones said. “It's been a whirlwind.  Finished, chipped in, which I can remember actually, which is a good thing to remember.

Matt Jones' life has changed with his chip-in victory at the Houston Open on Sunday. PHOTO: Getty Images

“But then I had to go do all the media and all the family and friends and talking to them. It's just been amazing trying to get in touch with everyone and get back to everyone from all the texts and phone calls I've had and e‑mails, and now organizing family and friends coming to town.

“It's going to be a great experience for the first time here.”

Jones’s wife and two daughters were expected to arrive from Scottsdale, Arizona, on Tuesday night while his Mum, Vicky, and Dad, Kevin, along with long-time coach, Gary Barter, have quickly organised flights from Sydney and will arrive before the first round.

“My mum was crying and drinking champagne,” Jones laughed when describing the phone call home. “It's been a long time coming for them. They have been through a lot (laughter).”

As the newest ‘kid on the Masters block’ he unfortunately got a little lost on the way to the course and didn’t get to experience a drive down Magnolia Lane, which leads to the clubhouse.

“I didn't drive down it,” Jones smiled. “I had no idea where I was going, so I had to follow Stadler (Kevin). I was following Kevin, actually, because I stayed with him last night. He had to go to the caddie area, so I followed him to the right so I never drove down. So I'll get to do that tomorrow.

“And I just walked into the clubhouse here. It's awkward when you don't know where you're going because every Tour event, you walk in and know exactly what you're doing. So you walk around here, and I'm not quite sure where to go or what doors I can go in or out of.”

Jones, who had 156 PGA Tour starts before breaking through for his maiden win on Sunday, has realised a childhood goal to play at Augusta, a place he vowed never to visit unless he won on Tour.

“The win is huge,” he said. “I played golf my whole life, and our whole aim when you play golf is to win.

“Every time you tee it up to play golf is to win, and that's the same thing coming here. My goal is to win. I'm a rookie. It doesn't happen too often, but I've been playing great and I'm playing against the same guys I do every week and I've beaten them before. It'll be a good week.

“To play at Augusta is always a goal of every golfer. This is amazing.

“Waking up as kids and watching this, you've always dreamed of coming here. Watching Greg (Norman) play, it was amazing. And the win gets me a lot of other tournaments, too.  So this is just icing on the cake to get to come here.”

AUGUSTA’S DIFFERENT LOOK

Ice storms wreaked havoc across eastern Georgia in mid-February, and the damage it inflicted on the Augusta National course was evident to early Masters arrivals.

Of course, it has been well documented that the famed Eisenhower Tree had to be removed after it was damaged during the storms. The 150-year-old, 65-foot tall icon of the course, which stood majestically on the left edge of 17th fairway, was not replaced.

Ice storms in February battered the limbs of many of the tall pines at Augusta National. PHOTO: Getty Images

The tree got its name from a certain Augusta National member – former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He hit the tree so often that during an Augusta National governors' meeting in 1956, Ike demanded that the tree be cut down immediately.

Masters Chairman Billy Payne will reveal details later this week of plans for the 17th hole.

In the meantime, players have been greeted with a wider playing area on the long par-4, which may ultimately make the penultimate hole play a little easier in 2014.

Ike’s Tree wasn’t the only tree victim of the devastating ice storm. Although the total number of trees lost during the storm is not known, the views across parts of the course have significantly changed with the thinning out of the Augusta National landscape.

“A lot of trees have taken some serious damage,” 1998 Masters champion, Mark O’Meara, said after his Sunday practice round.

That damage is certainly evident as you stand on the hill behind the 18th green and cast your eye across the course. The 11th fairway has not been visible from this vantage point for decades, but now you can see it.

“The trees are there but half of the limbs are gone,” O’Meara added. “When you have old trees like these and they’re so tall and you have an ice storm like that, those upper branches can’t withstand the weight. It’s basically thinned out quite a bit of the course.”

Elsewhere around the layout, there were new views that have been exposed. You can now see the clubhouse from the 16th green, while there is a car park behind the 4th green … who knew?

The 13th hole, appropriate known as azalea for the 50,000 flowers that line the par-5, was awash with colour but without the density of flowers seen in past years. There were also other areas, usually full of colour, which will hopefully blossom before the end of the Masters with finer, warmer weather expected in the next few days.

THE COCKY DEBUTANTE

Moments after stepping from Doral’s 18th green as the youngest winner of a World Golf Championship event, American Patrick Reed told the golfing world he was one of the top-five players in the world.

The 23-year-old had claimed his third PGA Tour title since last August and was rightfully brimming with confidence when he said:

“I’ve worked so hard, I’ve won a lot in my junior career, did great things in (my) amateur career, was 6-0 in match play in NCAAs, won NCAAs two years in a row, got third individually one year, and now I have three wins out here on the PGA Tour.

Patrick Reed pumps the air after his victory in the WGC Cadillac Championship last month. PHOTO: Getty Images

“I just don’t see a lot of guys that have done that, besides Tiger Woods, of course, and, you know, the other legends of the game. It’s just one of those things, I believe in myself and – especially with how hard I’ve worked – I’m one of the top five players in the world.

“To come out in a field like this and to hold on wire to wire like that, I feel like I’ve proven myself.”

His controversial comments caused a social media meltdown of criticism for Reed but it was like water off a duck’s back to Reed, who has talked up his chances of winning the Masters this week.

Reed is one of 24 Masters debutantes at Augusta this week – including three Aussies Steven Bowditch, Matt Jones and amateur Oliver Goss. Only three players have won the Masters in their first start, the last of those being Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

“I'm very confident,” Reed said.

“I try to treat it like it's just another event. You know, it's just a mind‑set that I've always had no matter what event it is, I try to get in the mind‑set that it's just another event, it's another golf course; you're playing the golf course.  Because if you start throwing stuff out of proportion and stuff, then you start getting the nerves up and you start doubting yourself and things start going south.”

Does the history of first-timers not winning worry him?

“No not at all,” he said. “There are 24 first timers. Definitely shows that whoever is playing their best golf is going to win.

“Doesn't matter if you've played here once or if you've played here 50 times. When it comes down to it, it's just going to be one of those things that whoever is playing the best is going to walk away with the trophy.”

Reed, who attended Augusta State University and was part of their national championship winning team in 2010 and 2011, said being part of the Masters field was like a dream come true.

“When I was real young, all I ever dreamed about was playing at Augusta for a green jacket,” he said. “To have a dream come true and be here as a professional playing my first Masters, feels like I'm still in a dream.

“Every time driving down (Magnolia Lane), you get a big smile on your face and you realise that this time it's different because it’s the first three times I did it was as an amateur and now I'm doing it as a professional playing at Augusta in the Masters.

“It's one of these places that it's definitely on every bucket list of every golfer to at least hopefully be able to play it but at least come watch it.  And to be inside the ropes this year is one of those things that I can't wait.”

He played Augusta National three times as an amateur and arrived early to play a round last Saturday, Reed added.

“In practice on Saturday I was able to see how the golf course is playing compared to when when I had a chance to play in college.

“The only thing that seems different is the greens are a lot firmer and a lot faster. When I played it was still in absolute perfect condition and it still is now. It's just one of those things that I just have to get used to the speed and also kind of be careful where you position the golf ball around here because that seems to be just one of the main things.”

His early preparation at Augusta has Reed feeling comfortable with his gsme.

“I'm very comfortable out here,” he said.

“I like playing a little draw, so it sets up really well for the golf course as well as I've worked really hard on being able to hit a controlled cut, as well. So in case you need that – because you do need that on a couple holes out here.

“It seems like right now I'm very comfortable and I just have to get used to the speeds of the greens because when it comes down to it, it's going to be who putts the best and who positions the golf ball.”

There is no doubt Reed can talke-the-talk, and in PGA Tour events he has shown in recent times he can walk-the-walk. But does he have a Masters victory in his stride?

QUOTES OF THE DAY

“Oh, it was amazing, that's for sure. I wanted to reverse and do it again but I had to keep going so I could get out there and practice.”

– Patrick Reed on his experience driving down Augusta’s Magnolia Lane for the first time.

“Well, I must say, this is a very, very cool thing, and thanks to Kev here, I got back to the press room for the first time in about 20 years. I haven't even been here since it was built, I don't think.”

– Craig Stadler, who with son Kevin, will be the first father and son to compete in the same Masters.