Already some funny and interesting happenings on this Monday of Masters week. I have no way of verifying some of these nuggets, so read with that in mind. I’ll post more as I see fit so check back to this post.
Fowl Hat
Rickie Fowler went into the press room for an interview with his hat backwards. He was asked to put it on forward.
No TW Editor
Editor of Tiger Woods’ web site denied credential into Masters despite Tiger writing them a letter asking for it.
Tweeting and photos from the practice round
Despite being asked not to do it, some players are tweeting and posting images of Augusta National during their practice rounds today. I could really see them kicking someone out of the tournament. Until then, I’m saving all the photos to my hard drive… 🙂
Phil Mickelson after winning 2010 Masters - click for more Masters photos
Welcome to the first post of probably close to one billion here during 2011 Masters Week!
I had a hard time getting interested in the Houston Open until the final round yesterday, with the Masters looming. Phil Mickelson and Scott Verplank had quite a duel, which for most of the round was spectacular. Phil finally separated himself on the last few holes for the three shot win over Verplank and Chris Kirk. The rest of the field wasn’t even in the same zip code at -13 to Phil’s -20.
Should Phil play Augusta on every course?
My first thought about the Houston win is that perhaps Phil should play “Augusta” shots on every course. He’d said he’d be hitting shots and practicing for the Masters, rather than playing more appropriate shots for Redstone Golf Club. Net result is a 3 shot win.
Bloggers and scribes write themselves in circles about whether or not Phil is ready for the Masters
A couple of weeks ago, golf bloggers and scribes were saying that Phil wasn’t ready for Augusta. Then after shooting his 63 on Saturday at Redstone, they said he “peaked too early.” Trying to follow some of them makes my head spin. They change their tune every day. The fact is that even if aliens invade our planet, Phil will always be ready for The Masters. His length combined with his short game which is perfect for the course will almost always put him in contention.
Mickelson passes Tiger Woods in world ranking
The win has moved Phil’s world ranking up to #3 and for the first time since 1997 he is ranked higher than Tiger Woods. Woods has dropped to #7. Should Mickelson win the 2011 Masters, he’ll attain the #1 ranking in the world, provided that Martin Kaymer finishes worse than 2nd. At least that is what I’ve read.
Irrelevant Department – Phil now #2 in FedEx Cup Points
I don’t expect Phil Mickelson to win the FedEx Cup. That being said, he’s now up to #2 in FedEx Cup points behind Mark Wilson, who will also not win the FedEx Cup.
Masters Icons (but not Jack, Arnie or Seve)
If you like cool shoes, next week will be a good week for you. Starting at 8:00am ET on Monday of Masters week, my good friends and HOG Space Fantasy Golf sponsors at FootJoy will be offering 150 pair of limited edition Augusta-inspired FJ Icons.
FJ Masters Icons - Click for larger image
FJ Icons are awesome. I have so many pairs I lost count. It is like Christmas every time I go golfing, choosing which pair to wear.
There will be 150 of these pairs available with an exclusive Masters green croc print, the same one produced for the players at the tournament.
Giveaways Too
FootJoy will also be giving away a pair of these per day during the Masters, for a total of four. Stop by the FootJoy web site for that, but you’ll have to beat me to get ’em.
Transitions Championship
Sergio Garcia
The Transitions Championship is this week. There has been a lot of press about Sergio Garcia’s return and how exciting that is. Unless he’s undergone a complete brain transplant, I’m not sure the prospect of Sergio’s return is all that great to me. Time will tell if he does come into the game with a better attitude and actually enjoys it. He was tough to watch last year, dragging his wrists on the fairways and all slumped over. Very depressing.
Garcia is already playing his 2nd round, and has gotten himself to -6 which is one shot behind the current leaders.
Bay Hill/Masters
Tiger Woods
Despite the fact that the Transitions Championship is this week, it seems that there’s been more coverage about the fact that Tiger Woods has committed to playing Bay Hill next week. News flash: Tiger playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational isn’t news. Tiger ALWAYS plays Bay Hill. You can set your clock by it. And more big news is that Tiger has officially committed to play the Masters. Oh really? I thought he was going to skip The Masters and rest up for playing the Texas Open the following week.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson has confirmed Bay Hill and the Shell Houston Open on his schedule as a tune up for The Masters. Some golf scribes are already saying that Phil isn’t physically what he was due to the arthritis, and that we’ve seen the best of him come and go. They say he won’t win the Masters. I don’t think you can use the tournaments prior to the Masters as a gauge any more. Phil gets so geared up for Augusta and loves that tournament/course so much I think we won’t know the state of his real game until then. And I hope he wins another one.
Jhonny Vegas/Masters
It is cool to see the comments on Twitter by some of the players who are about to be playing their first Masters. I felt so happy for Jhonnatan Vegas when he Tweeted and shot a picture coming down Magnolia Lane. I doubt he’ll really tear up Augusta for his first time, but he does have the game to do it.
Fred Funk
So I’m mentioning all these super big guns on the PGA Tour and the next highlight is Fred Funk? That’s because I just finished an interview with Fred. Stay tuned for that interview coming up soon.
6:55pm ET: Phil Mickelson wins his 3rd green jacket after an exclamation point birdie on the last hole. What an incredible week it has been for me in particular, as I was on the grounds at Augusta National for the first time. What a tournament. What a place. And I’m spent.
Good news: only 361 days left until the 2011 Masters.
6:40pm: Westwood makes birdie on #17 but Phil handles the pressure making a par putt from about six feet. Two shot lead with the final hole to play. It ain’t over yet. Woods finishes with a 69 after making birdie on the final hole. Strangely, he and Choi played together for four straight days and shot the exact same scores all four days.
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