“Dr. Mackenzie and I believe that no golf hole exists that does not afford a proper and convenient solution to the average golfer and the short player, as well as to the more powerful and accurate expert.”
Bobby Jones
This week the golf world will converge on Augusta, Georgia for the first major in the 2011 PGA season – the Masters. The host? The Augusta National Golf Club, founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in 1933 has hosted the Masters tournament since 1934. The Masters is the only major hosted by the same venue every year and it has allowed golf fans the unique opportunity to become familiar with a golf course that is ranked #1 in America.
Every hole is named after a shrub or a tree. If I tell you I am on the Tea Olive, you know it is Hole #1. If I tell you that Phil Mickelson is currently his tee shot on Azalea, then you know that he is on the 13th hole and just started Amen Corner.
The 2011 season has seen European golfers quickly take over the #1 ranking in the world with Lee Westwood replacing Tiger Woods, only to see Martin Kaymer take over the top spot just a few weeks later. However a European golfer hasn’t won at the Masters since 1999 (Jose Marie Olazabal). Will this year bring the end of that drought? Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer are obvious favorites, but don’t count out Luke Donald who has been impressive in the early stages of 2011.
For the Americans, Phil Mickelson is heading to Augusta in full stride after looking.. well masterful at the Shell 
Houston Open this past weekend. Mickelson was on fire all weekend, shooting 20 under par for the 4 days. Lefty is the Master’s defending champion and is the odds on favorite heading into this weekend. But don’t look past the new wave of American golfers. Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler and others all figure to have a say about who gets the green jacket by the end of the weekend. And oh yeah – don’t forget about a guy named Tiger Woods.
This is the only weekend that I pray for rain. Just an excuse to cozy up on the couch and spend the weekend watching the Masters. It will start with the honorary starters – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. It will end with Phil Mickelson putting a green jacket on a golfer come Sunday afternoon. As Johnny Miller predicted this past weekend – will it be himself? Either way, take a walk down Magnolia Lane and get ready.
It is golf at its finest.
Didn’t get this done in time for opening day, huh Smitty? 😉
Check me if I’m wrong, but if it rains, doesn’t that spoil the event?
Since I don’t follow golf, but I’m curious, has Tiger Woods shown any signs of returning to form since his comeback?
Bill, I’m guessing when it rains in Rochester, NY that doesn’t automatically mean it rains in August, GA. 😉
Ohh, okay, I see what you’re saying. I guess I should knock off those 40 Buds for breakfast.
You talking about 40-ouncers, or 40 actual beers?
I’m not sure; it’s hard to tell with all the rain.
Bill – you sure that rain is from Mother Nature?? 🙂
Chas to answer your question, Tiger has shown flashes of returning to form. He has been working on swing changes with Sean Foley and trying to do it on the fly. For every round he has that people start saying, ” That is the Tiger I know”, he has a round that shows why he hasn’t won in over a year.
Tiger is also very comfortable at Augusta which is where he returned from his self imposed “layoff”. So who knows??
Pfff! The Masters. Are they even masters of their domain?
Smitty –
How are you handicapping the tournament? Who are your top 5 golfers with the best chances of winning?? Is it Dustin Johnson’s turn to break through? You think Phil Mickelson gonna win another? Maybe on of the Brits … Justin Rose? C’mon, Smitty, make a call on this.
I’d love to see Freddy Couples contend again … But finish the job this time.
Wally, the way I see it – there is no rain in the forecast for the rest of the week and it is expected to be warm. That combo means only one thing – guys that are long off the tee are going to be able to hit approach shots into these greens with a lot of spin. Spin equals better control and better chances to shoot a low round(s).
Who falls in that category? Well Phil of course. But Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer and Dustin Johnson also come to mind.
Dry conditions also means fast greens and from everything I have read – Augusta greens are tough. Like any tournament you had better be putting really well to stay in contention (ask Freddie). That leads me to Matt Kuchar who I think is sneaky long off the tee and one of the best putters in the game.
The other name I like is Graeme McDowell.
But who do I think is going to win? I am going with Matt Kuchar.
Care to share a prediction??
Although he’s like a high beta stock, I’ll go with Phil. He obviously played very well last week and he typically does pretty well at Augusta. Of course he won the Masters last year, but I just mean that when he’s focused and dialed in, there is no one more talented. I’m guessing he’s focused right now … hopefully for another week.
Kuchar is a good pick … can’t argue with that one.
Well … here we go. Is it raining in Rochester???
Hiroyuki Fujita? Sounds like something I’d order at PF Chang’s.
Glad to see the “old man”, Retief Goosen (42), off to a good start competing with these young bucks.
“Here come the Irish!” That’s what we chant at Notre Dame Stadium.
But they might also be chanting that at Augusta National today given what Rory McIlroy is doing in round 1. Wow.
Wow!! Low scores everywhere with McIlroy and Quiros at -7 with Yang and Choi at -5.
If you read your stats at the end of a round and found out that you only hit 4 fairways all day – wouldn’t you think you be nowhere near the top? Not Mickelson. He is at -2 and in great shape.
With tougher pins tomorrow and the pressure rising – expect scores to come down a little. Great Masters so far though!
Heck, Tiger is only 1 shot behind Phil at -1. He’s a grinder, so don’t be too shocked if he is in the top 5-10 going into Sunday. But you’re exactly right, Smitty, Phil didn’t play very well today and he’s very much in it. I think he’ll be 3 or 4 under tomorrow. McIlroy won’t go away though I don’t expect him to fall off much. Quiros hits the crap out of the ball, but I don’t think his short game and putting will be good enough to stay near the top by Sunday.
Smitty … wasn’t it Yang who won that final round duel with Tiger not too long ago to win a Major? He just happens to be at -7 at the moment, now tied with the leaders.
Okay … I’m rooting for Freddy Couples now. Phil Mickelson is the “Nuke Laloosh” of golf … Million dollar ability but a 2 cent head. 2 over on the day so far and starting to bury himself. Meanwhile, Steady Freddy Couples is making a nice run … currently at 3 under for the day. Keep it up, Freddy!!
Wally you are right – it was Yang that took down Tiger in the PGA Championship a couple of years ago.
Freddie Couples and Jason Day…This is going to be an interesting weekend!
Here comes Tiger!!!
Smitty – Do you see either of the top 2 guys scoring any where near 65 the next two days?
Reynell – If it is going to happen, it will today. Anyone at the top come Sunday will try not make a mistake and keep the lead. That lends itself towards the golfers aiming towards the middle of the green and getting their par. Or course they will take calculated risks and go after eagles or birdies on specific pin positions.
But some of the golfers that are sitting at -1 or -2 right now – I expect one or two to shoot a 65. They are going to take more risks and be a little more aggressive. I fully expect Lefty to put a 65 today and get himself back in it. I think a few others will make a run today.
I expect McIlroy, Woods and Day will be in the high 60’s, low 70s today. I think Woods will wait for McIlroy to make mistakes and come back to the pack. Day I think is going to do the same thing.
Like I said after Thursday’s round, Rory McIlroy isn’t going away … the “kid” is remarkably focused and mature, let alone talented.
Anyone seen Quiros??
Here’s what I expect from Phil today …. he’ll rally get to -7 with yet another birdie chance on 13 from about 10 feet to get to -8 and within 2 shots of the leader. Not only will he miss the very makeable putt, he’ll hit it 6 feet past and miss the par-saving comebacker. Then he’ll crash and burn … typical Phil.
Tiger obviously has a better chance to contend being two strokes closer to McIlroy, but he sure looked so unconfident with the putter Saturday. But Tiger has always had an ability to put bad news or bad holes behind him to stay focused and look forward. I won’t be surprised if he gets within a stroke or two of the lead. He’s a grinder … he NEVER quits.
I’m rooting for the Irish kid and Fred Couples.
Wally, I didn’t think Tiger was that bad yesterday.. The front nine he had some tough luck with the putting. I think he had to lip out and another come about a half a turn away from dropping. He hit the ball really well most of the day. Even if he doesn’t come back today, I think he is really close to returning to the form before the problems appeared.
I am really impressed with McIlroy…. Thought he was an arrogant punk before this tournament and he is slowly winning me over. It is supposed to be 95 degrees today and the pressure will be on. Looking forward to see how he holds up.
Oh yeah… Trying really hard to rain here. 🙂
Guys are shooting darts and Rory is scuffling.. Lookout!!
There is an eagle and a Tiger chasing right after it. Lookout here comes Tiger!!
I’m obviously a poor judge of character. I cannot believe the extent of the McIlroy meltdown! Looks like a couple of my golf holes! 🙂
What a horse race!
Agreed. I know I have a hit a drive or two like the one he put between the two cabins. 🙂
This is an incredible race and almost guarantees to be a fantastic finish.
Dang it! I was hoping for a 5 way playoff, but Schwartzel ruined it! Wow, he closes en fuego with a 66! Smokin’ !!!
He birdied the last 4 holes to win. About as clutch a Masters performance that I can remember.
A great tournament! I am just sorry it is over. Then again, I can finally go outside now.. 🙂
I wanted to phone up Buffalo Wild Wings when Schwartzel and Scott were separating themselves from the pack. I wanted to have the BWW folks phone up the Augusta grounds crew guys so they could turn on sprinklers during their backswings or unleash the gophers to hide their golf balls …. ANYTHING to send this Masters final round into overtime. Oh well … we’re all back at work. It was a great final round 😉