Category: The Masters
Augusta National and the Masters Tournament are Bobby Jones' second enduring legacy to golf. The course and club were founded in 1931, after Jones retired from competitive golf. The tournament originally was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, because Jones didn't like the sound of "The Masters." However, the name changed in 1939. Horton Smith won the first Masters, but it was Gene Sarazen in the second who put the tournament on the map with his double eagle on the 15th -- the "shot heard round the world." Watch this section for articles and updates on The Masters, including scores, leaderboards, and results.
Palmer To Hit Opening Shot At The Masters
Several news organizations are reporting that Arnold Palmer has agreed to serve as Honorary Starter at The Masters.
“I have the distinct and personal pleasure of saying that Arnold Palmer has accepted our invitation to become our honorary starter,” Augusta National chairman Billy Payne told reporters on Tuesday. “Arnold Palmer will once again be on the first tee at Augusta National, a place where he belongs.”
Palmer won the Masters in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964.
The first honorary starters at The Masters were Jock Hutchinson and Fred McLeod, who served from 1963 to 1973 (Hutchinson) and 1976 (McLeod). Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson took over the role in 1981. Sam Snead made it a trio in 1984. Sarazen retired in 1999; Nelson in 2001; and Snead in 2002.
Palmer, now 77, played his last competitive round at The Masters in 2004.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
For Player, Fitness Is The Issue
On the eve of his 50th appearance at the Masters, Gary Player is still repeating his mantra about physical fitness.
When you compare Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, Player says, the two are in a virtual dead heat for the title of Greatest Player Ever.
The difference maker, he thinks will be in conditioning:
“Jack Nicklaus for a time in his life was extremely strong. His legs were just as strong as Tiger’s and he hit the ball the exact same distance if you gave him… the same equipment.
“But Jack Nicklaus’s body went on the wane, it deteriorated at a certain age, where Tiger Woods, his body is going to go on for a long time.”
Even at his age, Player has no intention of letting Father Time catch up to him:
“I go into the gym and I do 1,000 crunches and I put an 80-pound weight (on my chest) and I do some with an 80-pound weight,” Player said, slapping his flat stomach to punctuate the point.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Watercolor Painting of Augusta
David Lewis maintains a site called Artists Golf, where he posts images of watercolors that he’s done of some of the most famous courses in golf. Posted above is his beautiful rendering of America’s Home Course—Augusta National, site of the Masters.
Visit the site.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Odds On The Masters Friday March 30 2007
Who’s going to win the Masters? The GolfBlogger’s money is on Phil Mickelson, in spite of—or rather because of—his collapse after last year’s US Open. He has a lot to prove and a lot riding on this.
If you want a more professional opinion, you can check the latest odds for the Masters, provided courtesy of Bodog.Com, the world’s largest online sports betting destination.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Masters May Change Criteria
The Associated Press is reporting that the Masters may change its criteria for qualification:
MIAMI (AP)—Augusta National is expected to change its criteria so that PGA Tour winners—at least some of them—would qualify for the Masters. There were eight tour winners since the previous Masters who are not eligible, and it’s tough to feel sorry for any of them except John Senden of Australia.
Three winners won opposite-field events (D.J. Trahan, Will MacKenzie and Eric Axley). Two winners didn’t have another top-10 over the last year (Jeff Maggert and Mark Wilson). Corey Pavin’s only other top 10 was at Pebble Beach, where he finished nine shots behind. Charley Hoffman had three other top 10s, one of those in the autumn (Las Vegas) and another opposite the Ryder Cup (Texas Open).
But a case could be made for Senden.
He won the John Deere Classic and his national championship, the Australian Open. He also tied for second in Tampa, and was poised to climb into the top 50 and qualify for last week’s CA Championship until he suffered a severe stomach virus that forced him to withdraw from the preceding Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Unable to play the final two tournaments before the cutoff for the Masters, Senden wound up No. 53.
I’m still not going to get in.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Odds For The Masters
The first Major of 2007—the Masters—is just around the corner. Who’s favored?
These are the latest odds for the Masters, provided courtesy of Bodog.Com, the world’s largest online sports betting destination.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Hootie Quits
Hootie Johnson will step down as chairman of Augusta National on May 21. He will be replaced by Billy Payne. Payne, 58 has served as Chairman of the Media Committee and chaired the Atlanta Olympics a decade ago.
There have been rumors about Johnson retiring for several months, but most had him staying on through the completion of the new practice facility.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
