You know spring is here when Masters week arrives

It feels like spring because it is the week of the Masters. One of golf’s most prestigious prizes will be up for grabs with the first round starting Thursday.

All eyes will certainly be focused on Augusta and who will be wearing the green jacket when it’s all said and done.

Before the clubs start swinging, here’s a round of 18 tidbits and facts to help you get ready for the tradition unlike any other.

1. The total purse for this year’s Masters stands at a whooping $8 million. The winner will receive a share of $1.44 million. However, 10 percent of that is the cut taken by the winner’s caddy.

2. It’s well documented that this year’s Masters will be the first time in 20 years the tournament won’t feature one of golf’s most iconic figures. Tiger Woods is sitting out after back surgery that will keep him out of competition until the summer. The last time there was a Tigerless Masters was in 1994.

3.Speaking of Woods, three golfers have a chance to overtake him as a new No.1 in the world if they place well enough. Defending champion Adam Scott would need to finish in a two-way tie for third or higher, Henrik Stenson (No.3) needs to finish in a two-way tie for second and Jason Day (No. 4) would have to win the tournament.

4.  According to Vegasinsider.com, Scott, along with Rory Mcllory, are the two favorites going into the tournament. Both have been labeled as 10-to-one favorites to win. Four other golfers come in at second with 15-to-one odds, which include Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and the field.

5. 19-year-old Matt Fitzpatrick is the youngest player in the field this year.

6. Tom Watson is the oldest at 64.

7. Since 2008, only two out of the six previous Masters winners have been American (Mickelson in 2010, Bubba Watson in 2012).

8. According to Wallethub.com, The cost to produce the coveted green jacket is $250 and it made its debut at the 1949 Masters.

9. 23 players will make their Augusta debuts this week. 17 are already pros and 10 are ranked in the top 50.

10.The last player to win in their first showing was Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

11. Hole 11 marks the beginning of “Amen Corner,” dubbed the name by Sports Illustrated writer Herbert Warren in 1958 for Arnold Palmer’s immaculate performance on holes 11, 12 and 13 that year on the final day.

12. Golf legend Jack Nicklas calls the 12^th hole at Augusta “The toughest short hole in golf.” The average score for the famous par 3 is a 3.29.

13. Jeff Maggert has the honor of being one of only four double eagles ever scored at the Masters that occurred on hole 13 in 1994.

14. 2014 will mark the first time that a father and son will play in the same event. 1982 winner Craig Stadler will play along with his 34-year-old son Kevin, who made the tournament after winning the Phoenix Open in February.

15. The 15^th hole is where the controversial “drop ball” incident occurred last year when Tiger Woods was penalized for taking a drop and placing the ball several yards from where it was supposed to be dropped.

16. If you’re going to Augusta to watch live, you better be ready to pay. The cost of the average one-day ticket at resale is $1,406.

17. If you’re watching the Masters from the comfort of your home, you won’t be alone. According to wallethub.com, an average of 3.5 million viewers tuned last year in on Thursday and Friday for the opening rounds.

18. The last number pales in comparison to Sunday’s viewership, which averaged 14.7 million viewers during the final round. After all, there’s nothing quite like Sunday at Augusta.