Bob Stevens serves as an anchor for ESPN's flagship program, SportsCenter, serving in that role since early 1997. He joined ESPN in October 1996 as an anchor for ESPNEWS, ESPN's 24-hour sports news network, one month prior to its November 1, 1996 launch. Stevens had worked as sports director at WEWS-TV in Cleveland (1994-96), a role he continued a month into his ESPN duties. He had also served as the station's weekend sports anchor (1990-94). While there, Stevens created the popular Sports Sunday, a weekend wrap-up show of local sports ranging from professional to high school to amateur; he captured an Emmy Award for coverage of the Opening Day of Jacobs Field.

Before coming to Cleveland, Stevens was sports director at KOTV in Tulsa, Okla., (1987-1990). While there, he won awards for coverage of the University of Oklahoma football probation and the first high school football in the former Soviet Union.

CHAT

Bob Stevens at 3:02pm ET
Actually, not sure where you found my "favorites",,but as far as picking somebody from the "field" (not tiger), Langer's consistency bothers me, though you're right, he has done it at Augusta before..Everyone else's usual suspects,,Els, DL-3, Mickelson, Duval (whom I have in our in-house pool that I had to pick before the season started) are obvious choices,,maybe a great darkhorse pick would be Jim Furyk..in his last 3 trips to Augusta he's never finished worse than t-14,,and he's right now 2nd on tour in putting,,maybe its his turn?

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Jon from [129.100.50.196], at 3:03pm ET
What aspects of the game are most important to challenge for a win at the Masters?

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Bob Stevens at 3:04pm ET
Putting, putting and putting..Mickelson used 125 putts last year and never had a shot, even though he did a great job at hitting greens..at augusta, you not only have to hit the greens, you've gotta hit the right part of the green.

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Greg Swartzendruber from [65.194.183.140], at 3:04pm ET
Of the International participants, who do you think has the best chance of winning at Augusta this weekend? Please don't say Monty.

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Bob Stevens at 3:06pm ET
I would love to say Monty because he's my favorite foreign player, love his honesty. But Monty's snakebit..his best shot is at Augusta because the crowds are more docile than at the Open or PGA, but he's still a head-case in the biggies..Olazabal is so cool, it'll take one of those guys who dont get rattled easily..here's one outta leftfield,,Woozie's played well lately and has been great at augusta too.

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Jesse from [131.241.39.230], at 3:11pm ET
Which Seniors do you seeing having the best shot to be playing golf on Sunday this year?

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Bob Stevens at 3:12pm ET
Jack, of course..don't forget Larry Mize, a local hero..it would be great to see Crenshaw still around, but he hasn't played well at all lately.

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Aaron from [205.162.29.239], at 3:12pm ET
What do you think about S. Garcia's chances this week?

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Bob Stevens at 3:15pm ET
Can sergio keep it in the ballpark? he was 3rd in fairways hit at the player's championship, but only 40th in greens. gotta hit the greens at augusta.

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Rick Matthews from [199.94.71.127], at 3:15pm ET
How's Greg Norman's health and do you think he has anything left to challenge Augusta?

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Bob Stevens at 3:16pm ET
Rick, I've been thinkin about Shark all week and forgot him in a previous answer..he played pretty well last weekend in Atlanta,,has actually been 11th and 3rd last couple of years he's played the Masters,,you're right,,don't count him out at all.

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Jon from [129.100.50.196], at 3:17pm ET
Does anyone other than Woods stand a chance....he's playing awfully well?
The weather on Thurs. is supposed to be T-storms, then gradual clearing and warming throughout the weekend...probably getting quite hot and humid. Who does this help, and who does it hurt?

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Bob Stevens at 3:18pm ET
I think bad weather favors Tiger. He seems to have all the shots from all the worst situations..for all the other talents he has, he's also seemingly a great "mudder".

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Ryan from [152.163.207.204], at 3:18pm ET
How do you qualify for The Masters, and how many are allowed to play in it each year?

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Bob Stevens at 3:20pm ET
Check espn-dot-com's golf page and it should have a list of how players qualified. winning a tour event doesn't do it. Basically its a tourney for past-champions,,the top 16 from the previous year's tourney, and then the top 40 or so from the money list..there are 13 ways for a pro to qualify and Tiger made it in 12 of them this year,,the only list he wasn't on was top-3 money leaders after Doral.

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Ryan from [152.163.207.204], at 3:20pm ET
How well do you think Duval is going to do this week and do you think he will eventaully ever win a major?

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Bob Stevens at 3:21pm ET
Ryan, I'm not a doctor and don't play one on TV either, but if Duval is healthy, he'll be a force,,just think, he's rested, that's for sure..top 6 each of the last 3 years,,so he loves the course..if his wrist hasn't affected his swing or his touch, i think he learned a lot last year and can be a force.

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Craig Hill from [216.127.140.153], at 3:23pm ET
I would like to get your opinion on the completion of a "Grand Slam" and if Tiger wins, will you consider it a "Grand Slam" The other players, including Arnie seem to be jealous and rule it out. How so? If he holds all four (actually 5 with Players Championship) how can you not give him the credit?

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Bob Stevens at 3:26pm ET
I think that to win the "grand slam" you need to do it in the same year..and who's to say tiger won't..even his dad says winning this weekend won't be the "slam", and i think that's to goad tiger into winning all 4 in the same year. Its still a whale of an accomplishment if he holds all 4,,or 5, at the same time. plus,,say someone else wins the british and the pga this year, does that mean they're on track for the slam if they win the masters and open next year? i think you need to do it all in one year.

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Darius from [204.73.55.10], at 3:28pm ET
What about Tom Lehman's chances? He says he is putting the best he has in a long time and he is always one of the leaders in greens in regulation

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Bob Stevens at 3:30pm ET
Three top 10's in 8 trips for Lehman,,very good..i like him better at the open becuase he's a pretty good scrambler out of trouble, and won a tour champinship at southern hills. he hasnt been in the top 15 in putting in any tourney all year,,and you've gotta drain some putts at Augusta.

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Brian J from [209.18.192.11], at 3:32pm ET
Do you think either Hal Sutton or Fred Couples (who has never missed a cut)will challenge for the green jacket?

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Bob Stevens at 3:33pm ET
Interesting you pick those two names..you mention Freddy's great success. Sutton's been awful at Augusta, except for last year's 10th place finish..maybe he's over whatever phobia he has with Augusta..you know freddy will be around on Sunday, but does he still have the "edge" of a winner?

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Ben from [164.67.234.64], at 3:34pm ET
Bob, are you at Augusta watching the players practice? If so, who's playing/behaving noticeably sharp, in the groove, in a Masters frame of mind? Thanks!

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Bob Stevens at 3:34pm ET
Wish i were there. you'll have to get that insight from the Sportscenter gang. We will be doing Sunday's golf show from Disneyworld and hope to have some surprises and great analysis.

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Bill McGough from [205.188.197.31], at 3:35pm ET
Bob,

You say putting/putting/putting. I don't rank VJ as that great a putter yet he's the reigning champ. Any thoughts on a repeat?

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Bob Stevens at 3:37pm ET
"The" Bill McGough? Vijay's a mediocre putter who had a great week last year and thinks he can do it again,,what's changed with Vijay is his whole demeanor,,he's like Tiger now,,2nd place might as well be last place..the way he played at TPC,,all-out, shows he could repeat.

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Tim Stelow from Rochester, MN from [12.75.132.189], at 3:38pm ET
Hi Bob...Love your work on ESPN. Hey my question is two fold...they say that the player who wins at the Masters has to be accurate off the tee and is an exceptional putter. Now these are the greatest players in the world playing the same course so what sets the winners apart? Is it more of the gambling and not producing the necessary shots or is it just happen to being hot at the right time? Also, if this is true about driving and putting, what is the difference between a Tiger Woods winning and a Phil Mickelson never quite getting the jacket? Thanks

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Bob Stevens at 3:39pm ET
I think its as simple as Mickelson "thinks" he can win a major and Tiger "knows" he can. Once Phil finally wins one, he might win a bunch of them.

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Craig Hill from [216.127.140.153], at 3:40pm ET
What do you think happens to guys like Ian Baker-Finch and Corey Pavin? I play a lot of golf and have had my game disappear for a stretch but it always comes back. I guess you could make a small case for Pavin about regaining some form but how do you explain Baker-Finch. These guys play at such a high level its hard to fathom one of them not being able to break 80 for such a long period. Got any ideas?

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Bob Stevens at 3:41pm ET
Its such a mind-game, as you know, that there's no telling why guys "lose it". With Pavin, he got a big club deal and got away from his old set, then changed coaches, now he's back with his old coach and seems to be playing better. Its a fine line between the way those guys play at the top of their games and the way they play at the bottom.

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sal from [63.125.81.254], at 3:42pm ET
What player who has never won a major has the best chance of pulling through

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Bob Stevens at 3:42pm ET
Mickelson's due..he's really due. I think he'll get one this year, wish I knew it would be this one.

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VINCE from [208.46.34.2], at 3:43pm ET
Is the Masters your favorite of the four majors?

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Bob Stevens at 3:44pm ET
Yes it is, partly because i've still never been there, still get sucked into all the poetry about it. I have a print of Amen corner on my mantle, that's how much I love it. Someday maybe I'll play it, but not yet, because that would probably be my last round of golf,,after all, how do you play anywhere else after Augusta?

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robert ferrara from [63.11.156.240], at 3:45pm ET
Can you please tell me how Nick Faldo has done in the last three Masters

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Bob Stevens at 3:46pm ET
Since he won in 96, he missed 3 straight cuts and last year was a t-28..(here's my tip of the week-you can find anyone's history at any tourney on golfonline.com)

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Ryan from [152.163.207.204], at 3:47pm ET
Is M. Weir playing in the Masters, if so, do you like his odds? I mean he obviously showed he can play great on a windy day with slick greens, by shooting a 67 for his 4th round at the BellSouth.

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Bob Stevens at 3:48pm ET
Mike Weir's a great kid, finished t-28 last year in his first Masters, but shot 78 on sunday. remember he also had trouble with the wind at Doral on Sunday and coughed up a possible win to Joe Durant,,(don't forget Durant this weekend).

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Matty from [63.48.217.61], at 3:50pm ET
What players over 40 do you think have a shot at winning this week?

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Bob Stevens at 3:52pm ET
How's this for a stat...11 of the last 13 Masters have been won by guys over 30...tiger and Ollie's first one are the only exceptions. As for the over-40 set..about the only ones playing are past champs, and that's one of the things that sets the Masters apart,,the former champs can play forever, so they all know the course so well that I'll bet a couple of them will challenge..Larry Mize,,don't count him out.

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bob from [136.182.2.222], at 3:53pm ET
Nicklaus looks extremly fit and his health (hip) seems to be the best in years. What do you think his chances are to have a repeat of his 1998 finish (sixth)??

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Bob Stevens at 3:55pm ET
Would love to see Jack contend and his knowledge will be helpful, but how much has he played lately, and how well? struggled on the course he designed last monday at the World golf village and lost to Arnie. Just as I say that, he'll shoot a couple 69's and stay in the hunt.

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Pebbleby15 from [63.104.62.66], at 3:56pm ET
How important will it be for Woods to get off to a great start on Thursday, say 4 or 5 under?

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Bob Stevens at 3:57pm ET
Means less to Tiger than anyone else. He knows what it'll take to win. He had that awful 5-over-in-3-hole stretch on Thursday last year and was still around on Sunday. If he gets off to a 4 or 5 under start,,look out.

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Byron Nelson from [208.145.126.6], at 3:57pm ET
And no I am not him, and yes that is my real name. What or who do you have to know to play a round of golf at Augusta?

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Bob Stevens at 3:59pm ET
If you're a pal of the other "byron", it would help. gotta be invited. Dan Patrick got invited. You and I still haven't. One of the interesting aspects of playing Augusta is that once you qualify for the masters, you get to play the course as often as you like. The stories from some of the amateur champs are very interesting about becoming one of the "guys" at Augusta just by being an amateur champ.

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bill from [206.74.148.25], at 3:59pm ET
arnold palmer will make the cut and be in contention to win the Masters!!!!

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Bob Stevens at 4:00pm ET
I'd still invite him to play in my dream foresome,,would love to see it.

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Aaron C Anderson from [66.30.212.32], at 4:02pm ET
What are your thoughts on Carlos Franco? He has had some nice finishes in the Masters, but I have not heard much about him?

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Bob Stevens at 4:03pm ET
Carlos is another great "wild card". top 7's in both his appearance and appears to be unflappable,,it would also add to the "international" dominance the masters seems to have.

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"The" Bill McGough from [205.188.197.31], at 4:05pm ET
Bob,

Good insight about Vijays mindset on winning. I think patience may be the key for 63 holes. It all starts on the back 9 on Sunday.

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Brad from [12.86.178.243], at 4:05pm ET
Bob, i think everyone knows Phil Mickleson is due up for a major and i think he is very deserving. I heard Phil had revamped his swing starting about a year ago...does this contribute to him playing the higher level of golf and could you elaborate on what Phil needs to do to win at Augusta. Thanks

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Bob Stevens at 4:07pm ET
Phil just needs to quit taking as many chances as he does and quit missing 4-footers. and then beating himself up if he does. its all about patience..he's one of the guys who starts the round at 68 because of the short par-5's..all he has to do is not screw up from there.

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Carl Nordstrom from [151.203.34.127], at 4:08pm ET
Nick Price , really loved watching him! Do you thinbk he has anythink left in the tank?

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Bob Stevens at 4:13pm ET
Lets end this with my favorite golfer. Nick Price is a prince, one of the truly wonderful performers and nicest people in the game. Would love to see him win and he certainly could be there on Sunday, on the back 9, when it all gets very interesting. t-11 and t-6 the last two years, so there's hope. Okay, here's my parting shot. the grand slam talk ends Sunday when tiger finishes 5th, again. I'll take the field, and if I have to take anyone in the field, still playing a hunch on Jim Furyk with his hot putter (2nd on tour this year) and recent good play at Augusta (top 14's each of last 3 years). Now that i've jinxed him, hope you'll tune in for the Golf Show on ESPN radio Sunday morning at 6-am eastern, or log-on to espnradio.com anytime. Thanks for the great questions, hope we can do it again soon..especially you, Billy McGough!

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