Arnold Palmer Now Driving
Yesterday’s first round of the Masters was, as usual, fantastic. As I’ve said a million times, the Masters Tournament never disappoints. Thursday’s round had so many great stories to it. There was the return of Tiger Woods, the resurgence of Ernie Els, and amazing play of Jordan Spieth and a few surprises like the super round of 67 by Charlie Hoffman.
Spiethgasm
Jordan Spieth was -8 going into the easiest hole on the course yesterday, the par-5 15th. That hole is practically a guaranteed birdie and he could easily reach it in two. He was between clubs though, and knocked his approach over the green and nearly in the water on 16. He failed to get the chip on the green and ended up making a bogey. He got that stroke back on the 18th with a birdie.
The low round of 63 in a major championship was in jeopardy for a while there and the golf media and social networks were blowing up into a “Spiethgasm.”
It will be interesting to see if he can keep it together for four days.
Woods
My prediction for Tiger Woods’s first two rounds has been 74-70. Yesterday he shot a 73. Not bad. Not good. Nine shots off the lead. It’s not close to over for Tiger and I expect him to make the cut. The problem I see is massive dipping in his head during his downswing. If that gets bad, his shot dispersion goes to hell. You can’t spray it around August and get away with it.
What the weekend holds for Tiger should be interesting.
McIlory
Rory McIlory finished Thursday at -1. That’s an okay start and he’s not out of it by any means. I theorize that Rory wants to win this one so bad, it may cause him some mental issues.
Others
Others on my radar include my pick to win it all, Jason Day. Jason’s first round was super solid, including five birdies in a row. He’s right in the mix at -5 after day one.
So many other great stories which could be entire topics of discussion. Ernie Els, at 45, is right up there. And speaking of older players, how about Tom Watson shooting 71? He’s the oldest player to break par at the Masters after yesterday.
Cant’ wait for the rest of the weekend.
The Masters is the best golf tournament to watch, hands down. While you’re enjoying the tournament, try out the new Masters Drinking Game! It’s a game like no other. Every time you see or hear one of the featured items in the image below, take a wee nip of your favorite beverage.
FORE!
I love Masters week! SO much great material out there. Below is a 15 minute video interview courtesy of Golf Channel, from the Masters Tournament today. The guests are the “big 3,” Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.
Today is the par-3 tournament day at the Masters Tournament. Tiger Woods will be playing this time around, which is not his usual method of operation.
The par-3 tournament has been going since 1960. The par-3 is a fun tournament where players interact closely with fans. Some players who are not in the Masters Tournament are allowed to play the par-3 tournament. Prior to the par-3 tournament there used to be a driving contest.
Augusta National Golf Club – Par-3 Course – click image for full gallery
The par-3 tournament takes place at Augusta National’s par-3 course, possibly the most beautiful par-3 course in the world, though the folks at Three Tops located at Treetops Resort might argue that point. As you will likely hear, no player who has won the par-3 contest has gone on to win the Masters Tournament.
Augusta National Golf Club – Par-3 Course – click image for full gallery
I walked every hole of Augusta National’s par-3 course a couple of years ago and shot a ton of photos. For one shot I even snuck onto a little boat I found in the lake. The skies were a little gray the day I shot them but they still look great. I put together a gallery of 77 images of the course, the largest and most complete online photo gallery of the course that I’m aware of. All for you HOG “patrons.” Click the photos or the link below to view the gallery.
Augusta National Par-3 Course Photo Gallery
This is part two in a series of what I hope to be very interesting photos of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. I’m hoping to show some less common angles, viewpoints, and interesting things in an effort to show a different perspective…because that’s how I roll.
Below is an information board. These are found in a few locations around the course. Patrons can see where their favorite players are to plan their viewing enjoyment.
Masters beer is fairly cheap, though it did go up $1.00 this year. Here’s a shot of one of the refreshment stands from behind, showing the spent beer kegs at the end of a practice round.
I presume these two gentlemen are checking the moisture level of one of the greens below.
There are a few parallel fairways at Augusta National. Honestly I can’t remember which these are, but you can see at least three below:
The new practice range at Augusta National is very nice, of course. It has quite a bit of seating.
Below is a massive open area as seen from the edge of the 18th green, looking toward the 7th green way off in the distance.
Below is a cool look at the par-5 2nd green as it is approached by the players. This photo is not far from where Louis Oosthuizen made the double eagle.
Below is a look at the front part of the par-4 10th green. The picture does not do the vertical aspects of this hole justice. The place where I’m standing is quite a bit higher than the putting surface, and the area short of the green is much lower, going back up a big hill to the tee.
Speaking of elevation changes, look at the drop from the fairway on the par-5 2nd below. It drops hard to the right, and down to the green.
Check out the HOG EYE VIEW OF AUGUSTA – PART UNO
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