Back in form this year, Watson, a two-time Masters champion, has already racked up two PGA Tour wins, including the World Golf Championship Match Play. After battling some health issues last year, Watson is mentally and physically ready to compete again.

"I feel good," Watson said Monday during his press conference. "I had last week off and a little vacation, a little rest, and so hopefully get the energy going, get the nerves out and get ready to play some golf and just focus on quality shots, and hopefully on the weekend I have a chance to fight and try to put on a jacket."

Though Watson never gave up on his golf game, he said it was a little hard to imagine he'd have a chance to win the Masters this year.

"You know, it's funny. We'll say seven months ago I did not believe it (that he'd be back in form by the Masters)," Watson said. "But like I've said throughout these two wins when I've been interviewed, my team around me, all the people there, they have cheered me on and they have helped me come out of a dark place.

"And, again, life's in the right spot, and golf's in the right spot. Golf is really easy when you free it up. It's very difficult when you're not thinking properly."

Tiger Woods is competing in his first Masters since 2015, having already racked up two top-5 finishes in his latest injury comeback. Watson thinks having Woods back and healthy is good for golf.

"It's great for the game of golf. I mean, some of these kids that are participating on Sunday, yesterday, they have never got to see Tiger Woods that we have all got to see," Watson said. "So for him being healthy, that's — as a friend you want him healthy, and as a competitor you want him healthy.

"So, yes, there's nothing but great things when he's healthy. I mean, what he's been able to do with the on‑and‑off the course to help the game of golf and help young people, being on course and winning again is going to just help that many more people love the game of golf but also help in different many ways throughout the world."

Watson embraces the current state of golf. With so many players winning tournaments and proving they have what it takes to compete in majors, he knows whoever slips on the green jacket Sunday will have earned it.

"That's what we want. We don't want an asterisk by it and say everybody played bad so you just won. We want everybody to play their best," Watson said. "Again, it's going to come down to how we prepare. I know at Match Play a couple weeks ago my whole focus was energy. I just: If somehow I do make it through to the weekend, I have to save energy. And so I didn't practice very much. I just kind of try to save energy.