The Masters

[spelunker64]

Starts this week! Official beginning of spring. xthumbsupx

http://www.masters.org/en_US/index.html

[I Bleed Purple]

Tiger -12
Lefty -9





third place -4




My predictions.

[bobcatfan06]

I can't wait. My first time to see Augusta in HD. Every blade of grass, every petal off the flowers, going to be awesome.

[appfan2008]

what an awesome occurance every year... i love how it is always the same course so that us golf fans can know exactly what every hole looks like every year... what a tradition... I LOVE IT

[chantster]

I've been fortunate to attend every year since 1992. Augusta National is indeed a slice of heaven.

My first year, I followed Tiger when he was still an amateur. He could bomb it then. You could tell this kid was gonna be special.

One of my most favorable moment at the Masters:

Watched John Daly on the practice range. They added 30 more feet to the far net because Big John was launching balls over them into the street the previous year. A big crowd always gathers at the range when John or Tiger warms up. (Even have bleachers set up).

John stretched about ten seconds, lit a smoke, then hit his irons. First with the wedges, mid irons, then long irons. Then he pulled out the Big Dog. There was a buzz in the stands because the men of the masters made a big deal of adding the extra netting to make it Daly proof.

John took a three quarter swing, the ball sailed high and was about twenty yards short of the net. The second shot one hops the net. He took a bigger swing on the third and it hit about halfway up the net.
Now the crowd is really into it and shouting encouragement. All the players on the range stop to watch. John tees it high, takes his club way past parallell, and rips it, the ball sailing far and high. It looked like it may clear, but came up short by ten feet. A big moan came from the crowd, and more encouragement for John to hit one over.

John hitches up his britches,and tightens his glove. You can tell he was determined to clear that net. Now it sounds like a baseball game with the crowd yelling. It grew louder when John bent down to pump up his Reebok golf shoes. (you guys remember the Reebok shoes you can pump up for a tighter fit?) John Stares down the net, waggles his club intensely, and takes it way back in his signature style. It sounded like a cannon at impact and the ball takes off like a missile. The ball kept climbing higher and higher as is headed towards the net. John cleared the net by at least a good ten feet. The crowd goes beserk as if we just witnessed a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in the world series. I didn't know a golf ball could go that high and far.

The crowd wanted to see one more. John addressed the ball, took his big back swing. And bunted. He then waved to the crowd.

This is the only time I have actually seen a standing ovation on a practice range.

http://www.golftodaymagazine.com/0604/images/6%20John%20Daly.jpg

[Coastal89]

Official beginning of spring
Here's the forecast for this weekend in Augusta, they're saying there could be frost on the fairways.

Thu
Apr 5 Sunny
68°/40° 0%

Fri
Apr 6 Partly Cloudy
61°/39° 10%

Sat
Apr 7 Mostly Sunny
64°/32° 10%

Sun
Apr 8 Partly Cloudy
60°/34° 10%

[spelunker64]

I've been fortunate to attend every year since 1992. Augusta National is indeed a slice of heaven.

My first year, I followed Tiger when he was still an amateur. He could bomb it then. You could tell this kid was gonna be special.

One of my most favorable moment at the Masters:

Watched John Daly on the practice range. They added 30 more feet to the far net because Big John was launching balls over them into the street the previous year. A big crowd always gathers at the range when John or Tiger warms up. (Even have bleachers set up).

John stretched about ten seconds, lit a smoke, then hit his irons. First with the wedges, mid irons, then long irons. Then he pulled out the Big Dog. There was a buzz in the stands because the men of the masters made a big deal of adding the extra netting to make it Daly proof.

John took a three quarter swing, the ball sailed high and was about twenty yards short of the net. The second shot one hops the net. He took a bigger swing on the third and it hit about halfway up the net.
Now the crowd is really into it and shouting encouragement. All the players on the range stop to watch. John tees it high, takes his club way past parallell, and rips it, the ball sailing far and high. It looked like it may clear, but came up short by ten feet. A big moan came from the crowd, and more encouragement for John to hit one over.

John hitches up his britches,and tightens his glove. You can tell he was determined to clear that net. Now it sounds like a baseball game with the crowd yelling. It grew louder when John bent down to pump up his Reebok golf shoes. (you guys remember the Reebok shoes you can pump up for a tighter fit?) John Stares down the net, waggles his club intensely, and takes it way back in his signature style. It sounded like a cannon at impact and the ball takes off like a missile. The ball kept climbing higher and higher as is headed towards the net. John cleared the net by at least a good ten feet. The crowd goes beserk as if we just witnessed a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth in the world series. I didn't know a golf ball could go that high and far.

The crowd wanted to see one more. John addressed the ball, took his big back swing. And bunted. He then waved to the crowd.

This is the only time I have actually seen a standing ovation on a practice range.

http://www.golftodaymagazine.com/0604/images/6%20John%20Daly.jpg

Wow, that would have been fun to witness. Great post. xthumbsupx

[89Hen]

Here's the forecast for this weekend in Augusta, they're saying there could be frost on the fairways.
Damn global warming. :p

Here are my players in my pool (have to pick one player from 12 different groups)...

Stuart Appleby
Zach Johnson
Mark O'Meara
Els/Furyk/Mickelson/Scott/Stenson (you get the best of those or Tiger)
Bernhard Langer
David Howell
Sergio Garcia
Thomas Bjorn
Paul Goydos
Brett Wetterich
Shigo Katayama
John Kelly (a)

[spelunker64]

Here's mine from my Yahoo Fantasy Golf, yes fantasy golf.

Woods x
Mickelson

Allenby x
Howell III x
Garcia
DiMarco

Immellman x
Howell

[PaladinFan]

I was there in the final round to see Weir win in 2003.

[chantster]

I love being there on Thursdays and Fridays.

Thurs is great to see and watch the honorary starters.... Byron, Snead, Sarazen, etc. This year, it will be Arnold Palmer.

Jack still plays a great game. So does Gary Player. Then you have some of the past champions that will tee off and withdrawal. But, still great to see them.

Best pimento cheese sandwiches in the world. Still a buck and a half.

No advertisments and hopitality tents. No yelling, "you da man".

Another Masters moment for me:

1994. Chip Beck laying up on #15 still pisses me off. xmadx

It's Sunday and everybody knows you win or lose the Masters on the back nine.

Chip Beck is playing steady, got past amen corner only two down to Jose Olazabal.

Hits a great tee shot on #15, and in perfect shape to reach the par 5 in two. 235 out. I was standing 6 feet away from Beck and his caddie. And listening. Caddie is pumping him up, wanting him to go for it. Beck is hesitant, throws up a pinch of grass nervously. The wind is calm.

Caddie has the fairway wood ready, but Beck won't grab it. Beck tests the wind again. I am about to explode because I knew Beck won't go for it. More chatter between caddie and player. I thought the caddie was gonna hit the shot for him. Finally, Beck grabs the 7 iron. And lays up. My buddy and a few other fans get on Beck. Not loudly, but cursing under their breaths. I know Beck heard it when he walked to his layup ball.

Beck goes on to par the hole after hitting a crappy wedge to the green and two putting :( Ola wins the Masters.

Any time we play and have to lay up, we call out, "I'm gonna Beck it."

Here's Mr lay Up

http://www.onlinesports.com/images/mm-wm17-002.jpg

[appfan2008]

Will the Tiger lose this year?

I wouold say no way

[chantster]

Will the Tiger lose this year?

I wouold say no way

How can you pick against Tiger winning The Masters?

Tiger can reach every par 5 in two. Going into Sunday, Tiger is usually ten under just on the par fives.

But not this year. Don't know why, but he ain't too steady with the flat stick. He just doesn't look comfortable over the ball.


Don't look for Fat Phil to win either. He can carry three drivers and it ain't gonna help.

I think a young gun will win it this year.

I like Henrick Stenson and Adam Scott. Look for Stuart Appleby to be close on Sunday.

Who the hell am I fooling? It's gonna be Tiger. xnodx

[proasu89]

I love being there on Thursdays and Fridays.

Thurs is great to see and watch the honorary starters.... Byron, Snead, Sarazen, etc. This year, it will be Arnold Palmer.

Jack still plays a great game. So does Gary Player. Then you have some of the past champions that will tee off and withdrawal. But, still great to see them.

Best pimento cheese sandwiches in the world. Still a buck and a half.

No advertisments and hopitality tents. No yelling, "you da man".

Another Masters moment for me:

1994. Chip Beck laying up on #15 still pisses me off. xmadx

It's Sunday and everybody knows you win or lose the Masters on the back nine.

Chip Beck is playing steady, got past amen corner only two down to Jose Olazabal.

Hits a great tee shot on #15, and in perfect shape to reach the par 5 in two. 235 out. I was standing 6 feet away from Beck and his caddie. And listening. Caddie is pumping him up, wanting him to go for it. Beck is hesitant, throws up a pinch of grass nervously. The wind is calm.

Caddie has the fairway wood ready, but Beck won't grab it. Beck tests the wind again. I am about to explode because I knew Beck won't go for it. More chatter between caddie and player. I thought the caddie was gonna hit the shot for him. Finally, Beck grabs the 7 iron. And lays up. My buddy and a few other fans get on Beck. Not loudly, but cursing under their breaths. I know Beck heard it when he walked to his layup ball.

Beck goes on to par the hole after hitting a crappy wedge to the green and two putting :( Ola wins the Masters.

Any time we play and have to lay up, we call out, "I'm gonna Beck it."

Here's Mr lay Up

http://www.onlinesports.com/images/mm-wm17-002.jpg

That's been debated over and over. If you're not commited 100% to that shot then you have 0 chance of pulling it off. Should he have gone for it anyway and suffered the fate of Billy Joe Patton? Who knows, but you gotta walk in his shoes. I will say this, if he doesn't have the confidence to pull off that shot he probably didn't deserve to win. All that gibberish aside, Chip is a great guy.

[chantster]

That's been debated over and over. If you're not commited 100% to that shot then you have 0 chance of pulling it off. Should he have gone for it anyway and suffered the fate of Billy Joe Patton? Who knows, but you gotta walk in his shoes. I will say this, if he doesn't have the confidence to pull off that shot he probably didn't deserve to win. All that gibberish aside, Chip is a great guy.


Greatness courts failure - Roy "Tin Cup" MvAvoy

Yeah, Chip is one of the good guys.

But, this was a defining moment. This is the Masters on Sunday. Two down with three to play, 17 and 18 aren't exactly birdie holes with the pin locations for Sunday.

And this scenario is far different than Billy Joe Patton's demise. Billy Joe went for two leading by one at the 13th. Far different than being down by two with three to play.

Chip had his "A" game, was focused and swinging well. The weather was ideal. All the stars were aligned.

He got scared is what happened. Scared of making a mistake. Yeah, I play more than enough golf to know you gotta commit to the shot. Believe me, Sunday afternoon down by two at the best tournament in the world, I would be so focused that "commiting" wouldn't be a mental handicap at that moment, time and place.

[appfan2008]

How can you pick against Tiger winning The Masters?

Tiger can reach every par 5 in two. Going into Sunday, Tiger is usually ten under just on the par fives.

But not this year. Don't know why, but he ain't too steady with the flat stick. He just doesn't look comfortable over the ball.


Don't look for Fat Phil to win either. He can carry three drivers and it ain't gonna help.

I think a young gun will win it this year.

I like Henrick Stenson and Adam Scott. Look for Stuart Appleby to be close on Sunday.

Who the hell am I fooling? It's gonna be Tiger. xnodx
You had me going there for a second!xlolx xlolx xlolx

[GeauxColonels]

I would love to make it out there one day just to see the course. Truly a masterpiece!

[chantster]

I found this amateur clip of a guy taping Augusta Nationals during a practice round.

I didn't know the place got so packed since I never went to a practice round.

He got decent footage of #16. You will see the pros hitting extra balls into the green from front of the tee box.

At the 2:18 mark, he got footage of the driving range. Notice how tall and how far that net is from where the pro's practice. Still amazes me how far John Daly hit it to clear that net.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5pMm4W1tUmw

[proasu89]

I found this amateur clip of a guy taping Augusta Nationals during a practice round.

I didn't know the place got so packed since I never went to a practice round.
He got decent footage of #16. You will see the pros hitting extra balls into the green from front of the tee box.

At the 2:18 mark, he got footage of the driving range. Notice how tall and how far that net is from where the pro's practice. Still amazes me how far John Daly hit it to clear that net.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5pMm4W1tUmw
I've been on Monday and I've been during the tournament proper and I swear there's more there during the practice rounds than the tournament.

[spelunker64]

Phil +3 after 5

[chantster]

www.masters.org

They have a live camera on amen corner and the driving range. Pretty neat to watch at work.

Tiger is now on the range.

[chantster]

Phil +4 after 8

Els +6 after 9

DiMarco +3 after 16

[appfan2008]

phil is having a rough start... he looks like he is lost out there...

he just hasnt had since his winged foot collapse

[89Hen]

Very cool, watched on my laptop all afternoon while getting a lot of work done. A+ for the Masters and technology. xthumbsupx

[Ivytalk]

Since Happy Gilmore didn't make it, my money's on Tiger.

[chantster]

The club I belong to, we throw in 100 bucks. You then pick 5 golfers, and after Sunday's play, you total up the $$ won by your 5 players.

Winner gets 70% of the pot, 2nd gets 20% and third place pays 10%.

Last year, the pot was a shade below 10K.

Not sure about my 5 this year. Not a great start, but not too bad.

My Fivesome after first round:

1. Tiger +1 (of course everyone picks him)
2. Vijay Even
3. Stenson Even
4. D. Toms -2
5. DiMarco +3

[appfan2008]

The club I belong to, we throw in 100 bucks. You then pick 5 golfers, and after Sunday's play, you total up the $$ won by your 5 players.

Winner gets 70% of the pot, 2nd gets 20% and third place pays 10%.

Last year, the pot was a shade below 10K.

Not sure about my 5 this year. Not a great start, but not too bad.

My Fivesome after first round:

1. Tiger +1 (of course everyone picks him)
2. Vijay Even
3. Stenson Even
4. D. Toms -2
5. DiMarco +3
not a bad five... you may walk away a rich man with those players in your lineup

[appfan2008]

rose and wetterich lead at 3 under
howell and toms only 1 back and

tiger only 4 back

[89Hen]

my players in my pool currently...

Zach Johnson -3
Brett Wetterich -2
David Howell E
Stuart Appleby E
Els/Furyk/Mickelson/Scott/Stenson +1
John Kelly (a) +4 xthumbsupx
Sergio Garcia +4
Mark O'Meara +6
Bernhard Langer +6
Thomas Bjorn +7
Shigo Katayama +7
Paul Goydos +14 xeekx xoopsx

Tiger +4 today, +5 for the tourney.

[89Hen]

David Toms hitting the skids. xthumbsupx

[chantster]

My guys are in trouble.:(

Vijay -1 after 14 :)
Tiger +4 after 15 xoopsx
Stenson Even after 5 xrotatehx
D. Toms +3 after 14 xconfusedx
DiMarco +5 after 10 xbawlingx

Gonna be there tomorrow. Hopefully, they will pick up the pace. DiMarco is close to slamming his trunk and watching this weekend if he don't start dropping some birdies.

[I Bleed Purple]

Wondering if this is really what people want, pros struggling. I want it in the U.S. Open. Not sure if I want it in the Masters.

[bluehenbillk]

Amazing how bad these guys can look in less than ideal conditions. Goes to prove golfers aren't athletes.

[appfan2008]

Everybody get ready... Tiger was bad at himself yesterday so i fully expect that to translate to green jacket number five and win his first major where he didnt have the lead going into the final day... although even as a huge tiger fan i thought it was wierd how he just backed his way into the final pairing but hey i like it!

[chantster]

Amazing how bad these guys can look in less than ideal conditions. Goes to prove golfers aren't athletes.

So, if there is a football game played in less than ideal conditions with 10 turnovers and no score, does that mean they aren't athletes because they looked bad??

Obviously, you don't play golf. Or play well to appreciate the game.

[appfan2008]

So, if there is a football game played in less than ideal conditions with 10 turnovers and no score, does that mean they aren't athletes because they looked bad??

Obviously, you don't play golf. Or play well to appreciate the game.
I agree.... if you want to say phil is not an athlete you might have a debate but for the most part they are athletes... try to do what they do! as chantster said you have to be a golfer to understand the difficulty and effort that it takes to do what they do

[chantster]

Everybody get ready... Tiger was bad at himself yesterday so i fully expect that to translate to green jacket number five and win his first major where he didnt have the lead going into the final day... although even as a huge tiger fan i thought it was wierd how he just backed his way into the final pairing but hey i like it!


This is gonna be wild. You have roughly 20 players within 5 strokes of the lead. No telling who is gonna win.

Add the Sunday pin placements, wind dried greens, and the cold temp. Approach shots from 150 will be like trying to land a ball on a car hood.

I think Tiger will prevail. Course management will be a premium today.

[proasu89]

Amazing how bad these guys can look in less than ideal conditions. Goes to prove golfers aren't athletes.
Just because the weather and course conditions made things difficult(notice I did not say unfair because it's the same for everyone) it in no means diminishes the athletic ability and talent of these men. I've played organized baseball, football, basketball, and I'm a PGA member. Golf is the most difficult sport of all to reach the elite level. You would be amazed at the number of tour players that were all-state athletes in other sports before they devoted themselves full time to golf. xreadx

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Should be a great final round. I haven't seen any of the tourney but for a few minutes late night. I'm really lookin forward to see what happens. I think Appleby's going to win it or completely collapse handing it to Tiger.

[Peems]

keep me posted people!!!

[goasu984Life]

By the end of the day, I could be leading The Masters. It changes so fast, I can't keep up.

[crunifan]

I couldn't be happier right now.

Zach Johnson, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa has won the Masters by two.

My father is friends with Zach and plays occasionally when he comes back to CR, so it was great to watch him have an amazing experience today.

[proasu89]

I couldn't be happier right now.

Zach Johnson, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa has won the Masters by two.

My father is friends with Zach and plays occasionally when he comes back to CR, so it was great to watch him have an amazing experience today.
Tell him there were some Mountaineers pulling for him. I had a feeling about him and Sabbatini and took both of them in our pool. Great win w/ everybody chasing himxthumbsupx

[Mountain Panther]

I couldn't be happier right now.

Zach Johnson, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa has won the Masters by two.

My father is friends with Zach and plays occasionally when he comes back to CR, so it was great to watch him have an amazing experience today.

He wasn't even the best player on his high school team. University of Iowa wouldn't give him scholarship.

[I Bleed Purple]

That was more Masters golf.

Great to watch.

[crunifan]

He wasn't even the best player on his high school team. University of Iowa wouldn't give him scholarship.

Yeah, it was funny hearing them describe that. It seemed to me like they made it seem Drake was the only one low enough to take him. xlolx

Which high school did he go to, do you know? Was it a catholic high school, either Xavier or Regis, which ever was around then?

[Mountain Panther]

Yeah, it was funny hearing them describe that. It seemed to me like they made it seem Drake was the only one low enough to take him. xlolx

Which high school did he go to, do you know? Was it a catholic high school, either Xavier or Regis, which ever was around then?

Dunno what high school, but I'm of the impression that he was born and raised in Iowa City but now resides in Cedar Rapids. Correct me if mistaken.

[appfan2008]

Zach seems like a good christian family man...

glad to see hiim win!

[Reed Rothchild]

HS at Cedar Rapids Regis.

Very devout family man and Christian.

Couldn't have been won by a better person.

[ngineer]

I thought the tournament was great. Like a football game on a muddy field. the weather conditions wreaked havoc on everyone. Even though Tiger lost, it was amazing how he kept salvaging his opportunities after mistakes. Was good to see a newcomer win with some emotion and not some 'cool' robot.

[YoUDeeMan]

Damn global warming. :p

Here are my players in my pool (have to pick one player from 12 different groups)...

Stuart Appleby
Zach Johnson
Mark O'Meara
Els/Furyk/Mickelson/Scott/Stenson (you get the best of those or Tiger)
Bernhard Langer
David Howell
Sergio Garcia
Thomas Bjorn
Paul Goydos
Brett Wetterich
Shigo Katayama
John Kelly (a)


Congrats 89Hen! xnodx

[spelunker64]

Damn global warming. :p

Here are my players in my pool (have to pick one player from 12 different groups)...

Stuart Appleby
Zach Johnson
Mark O'Meara
Els/Furyk/Mickelson/Scott/Stenson (you get the best of those or Tiger)
Bernhard Langer
David Howell
Sergio Garcia
Thomas Bjorn
Paul Goydos
Brett Wetterich
Shigo Katayama
John Kelly (a)

3 good picks