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.
PGA Winners To Go To Masters in 2008
Starting in 2008, PGA Tour winners from the previous year will automatically get an invite to the Masters.
It’s an old idea, revived. PGA Tour winners were invited between 1972 and 2000. Then, the winners exemptions were repealed and replaced with players from the top 50 spots in the World Golf Rankings. That added an international flair to the tournament, but according to Augusta Chairman Billy Payne the tournament lost something in the exchange.
“I can remember innumerable times where winners of tournament events would be more excited to hear that they had automatically qualified for the Masters than to receive the first-prize money check,” Payne said. “So it was an exciting component of golf that really only the Masters could offer, and we all thought it appropriate that we bring it back.”
Winners of tournaments opposite the WGC events will not be invited, nor will winners of tournaments held after the PGA.
Invitations based on the previous year’s money list will be reduced from the top 40 to the top 30. The Masters has eliminated the invites for the top 10 players on the money list published the week before the tournament.
The final change grants exemptions to the 30 players who qualify for the previous year’s tour championship. The newly instituted FedEx Cup points system determines those spots.
I think it’s great for the Masters to return to the old system. But it’s not so good for THE CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE WEEK. Now players getting a winner’s check will stand there, accept the CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE WEEK trophy and check and say “I’m going to the Masters!”
Kind of puts it all in its place.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
The Times They Are A’ Changing
I just heard on the Masters webcast that Vijay Singh will—for the first time—carry a hybrid at this year’s Masters.
Now, when TIGER starts carrying one ...
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Masters TV Times and Other Coverage
Masters TV Times and Other Coverage
Thursday, April 5
3:00 - 4:00: Live Coverage at Masters.Org
4:00 - 7:00 pm: Live Coverage on USA
8:00 - 11:00 pm: Replay of First Round on USA
11:30 - 11:45 pm: Highlight Show on CBS
Friday, April 6
3:00 - 4:00: Live Coverage at Masters.Org
4:00 - 7:00 pm: Live Coverage on USA
8:00 - 11:00 pm: Replay of First Round on USA
11:30 - 11:45 pm: Highlight Show on CBS
Saturday, April 7
2:30 - 3:30: Live Coverage at Masters.Org
3:30 - 7:00 pm: Live Coverage on CBS
Sunday, April 8
1:30 - 2:30: Live Coverage at Masters.Org
2:30 - 7:00 pm : Live Coverage on CBS
Live Scoring, Interviews, Highlights and More at ATT Blue Room throughout the weekend
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Handicapping The Masters
I was going to write an article with my thoughts on the various contenders, near-contenders and long-shots for a Masters victory, but CBS Sportsline has a much better article than I can write.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
Online Coverage Of The Masters
AT&T is offering a variety of feeds from The Masters, including play-by-play before the broadcasts, highlights, live scoring and live video from the practice range.
Posted By The Original Golf Blogger
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
