The Masters 2007!

Well, the greatest golf tournament, and arguably the greatest sports event, in the world is upon us...The Masters. I can say from experience, having been there, that the Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most beautiful places in the world...and I mean it....the Palace at Versailles, the Cliffs of Dover, the Great Wall of China, The 12 Apostles in Australia, Cotopaxi in Ecuador...they are all beautiful and amazing...but Augusta ranks. As for the tournament itself...it is sure to be exciting...if for no other reason than the weather and it's effect on course difficulty. Here are a few thoughts:

1. The Course. One thing to know is that this course is old school. It isn't nearly as long as some others(despite 'Tiger Proofing' it), but the difficulty is in the short game. There are almost no level lies, and each green has anywhere from 4 to 8 tiers. To win at Augusta, you have to hit crisp iron shots...but, most importantly...you have to putt well. If you can't putt...especially from 10 to 20 feet...you are dead in the water, as it were. This year there is a tangible excitement about course readiness and weather. You see, most years, the course winds up getting some rain during the tournament...April showers and all...slowing the greens up and allowing approach shots to stick...all leading to lower scores. Every now and then, though, mother nature says...o.k. boys let's see what you guys can do...and keeps the rain away...making even the most seasoned and prolific golfers shake in their cleats. This, my friends, is what this year is shaping up to be like. The forecast is for no rain...only tears...and lots of high numbers.

2. The Players. There is really only one name that one absolutely needs to know...and he goes by Tiger. Still, there are others of note that could, and might, walk away with the Green Jacket this year:

I. Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods. I'm not going to waste my time here. If you don't know anything about him...you stopped reading this post a long time ago...and care nothing for golf. I will say, though, he is playing extremely well...and if he wants it...and I think he does...it's his. This would give him 3/4 of his second 'Tiger Slam'...can you say "the best ever'?

II. 'Fat' Phil Mickelson. The guy you hate to love. He's broken more hearts than Ava Gardner...but we always come back to him. The question here is 'The Meltdown" of Jean Van de Velde proportions last year at the U.S. Open...and whether he can recoup. Early this year he looked unbeatable...but had another meltdown on the 18th out in California. As I write this, he is already (+4) on the front after 7. While the defending champ, I'm afraid this just isn't his year. This said, if his short game is on...and he can keep the driver in the bag on 18...he's always got a shot.

III. Ernie Els. The 'Big Easy' has got the game for Augusta, but isn't playing that well in recent weeks.

IV. Charles Howell III. The local boy...and my sentimental favorite. He has played well this year...and has got a chance. Though, the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd hasn't always proved productive in the past. I gotta think that last year's disaster of a showing has to be motivation to play well...he finished behind Charles Coody...who is 180 years old.

V. Retief Goosen. He's been quiet lately...playing mostly overseas..and that's the way he likes it. In short, he's got the game. He proved that at Shinnecock.

VI. The Europeans and Aussies. This very well could be the year that a foreign player wins the Green Jacket...it has been over a decade. All of these guys have game...and really want to be the one to reclaim the tournament. Look out especially for Henrik Stenson(Scary good), Adam Scott( Playing very well...is rounding out his game), Paul Casey( All-around game), and Jose Maria Olazabal...who is freaking amazing. He's won two already....plays three tournaments a year..but always shows up to play at Augusta.

VII. Others to Look For: Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, David Toms, and Davis Love III.


3. Predictions. I really don't know what to expect. Other than to say that...1. If the rain stays away, the winner shouldn't be under (-7) after 4 days of golf...and that's playing well...and 2. Again, this is Tiger's tournament if he is putting. If not, there are others that could jump up...but if his putter is on, forget it.

4. Enjoy it everyone...it only comes once a year...and is always entertaining. Man...I love the freakin Masters.

* I should say, too, that Vaughn Taylor is another local boy from Augusta and that I'll be pulling for him to do well...though, it is unlikely.


Day one recap:

1. The morning groups had it a bit easier than the afternoon groups...as is usually the case. Consequently, Justin Rose set the early bar at (-3). He also gave us the stat of the day....only five greens in regulation...and only 20 putts on the day....let me say that again...20 putts all day. Amazing. Tiger did what he always does in the early rounds...he keeps himself in contention. Phil did what he usually doesn't do...he played in the first round the way he usually plays on Sunday. And...there are a host of could've/should've beens hanging around the leader board. My dad taught me a life lesson early in life...and it involved this tournament...he would say, " boys, it doesn't start 'till the back nine on Sunday". When I was a kid, I thought him crazy. How could someone win The Masters and be 7 strokes back after the first day. Then...Jack won in '86. Dad...you were right then...and you're right now. 'Setting the table is important...and necessary...but there's a lot of golf to be played.

Day two recap:
1. The course is dominating this tournament. Watching this play out, I would be very surprised to see anyone finish on Sunday in red figures. I just don't see it. Not much to say other than: I. Phil will be lucky to make the cut. II. Woods is right where he needs to be to make a move on Saturday. III. Look out for Vijay Singh...that guy is creeping...and he can grind as well as anyone. IV. Patience...patience....patience. Scores are going to vary drastically...it should be fun to watch...I certainly wouldn't want the task of playing...well, o.k. I lied...of course, I would...

Day three recap:
1. Never in my life have I seen Augusta play this tough. Speaking with my dad yesterday, I asked him if he ever remembered the course like this and he said that it had been a good 30(+) years. I mean...growing up, I always heard that it could be this difficult...but weather and technology mitigated the innate treachery. This year, though, we see just how forceful and unrelenting this beautiful place can be.
2. Now...what is going to happen? Who the heck knows. Conventional wisdom says that Tiger is in the last group...and therefore, has the advantage. Still, he looked just a confused and frustrated as anyone coming off of 18. I know for a fact that no one will finish in the red. The winning score will probably be (+)1 tying the highest winning score in the history of the Master's. The guy who goes out and shoots a 70 or 69 has a great chance. If I'm in the last few groups....course management is the name of the game. Be patient ...take your pars...focus on the par fives...hope to get 70 and watch everyone else shoot 75....with a decent round. Regardless, it's Sunday at Augusta....