Bubba Wins Second Green Jacket

The Masters this year had some remarkable stories. Jordan Spieth trying to become the youngest winner in Masters history and only the second person to win in their first try. The over 50 year olds that made the cut and contended. Freddie Couples finished T20, Bernhard Langer finished T8 and Miguel Angel Jimenez finished 4th.

 

Augusta doesn't care who you are or where you've come from. It demands quality golf shots and punishes those who are not at the top of their game. Jordan Spieth was 5 feet from catching the ridge down to the hole on 8 (made bogey), 6 feet from staying on the green on 9 (made bogey) and 10 feet from being on the green on 12 (made a great bogey). Coming down the stretch he burned the edge of the cup for birdie on 13, 15, and 16.

Jordan played very well but a combined 21 feet kept him from equaling Bubba's score at 8 under. Yes things may have been different but that is the fine line between Masters Champion and 3 shots back.

They say the Masters doesn't start until the back nine on Sunday but Jordan and Bubba made everyone aware that the front nine can be just as exciting. Those two were feeding off of each other as they made birdies on 4 and 6, two holes that have cost many players the Green Jacket.

All in all, Bubba is a worthy champion. Nobody played better than he did and the scores proved it. With Bubba's game, he could win a few more. Six of the last 12 champions have been lefties. A fade is easier to control than a draw and that, combined with the length of Bubba and Phil, gives them the chance to separate from the field.

I'm not sure what the rest of 2014 holds but there are a lot of players that have the ability to contend at the majors and a 20 year old probably tops that list.

With that being said, I can't wait til next years Masters; A Tradition Unlike Any Other.

Friday at The Masters

I first want to apologize for Marc Leishman for putting some sort of curse on him. When I posted yesterday that Marc has a great chance to win after he birdied the first three holes he goes on to miss the cut. What a fickle game golf his.

Bubba Watson continued his good play with five birdies in a row from 12-16. As a past champion Bubba has a great chance to win and is great position after 36 holes.

 

 

Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson, some analyst's favorites for the week, missed the cut. Rory had to make a four foot putt on the last hole to make the cut on the number. Some unlikely past champions did make the cut, however. Larry Mize, Bernhard Langer Sandy Lyle and Vijay Singh all made the cut. The never aging Freddie Couples is in great postion to win a second green jacket. What a story that would be.

 

 

 

Today is moving day and some big names have some moving to do if they want to get back in contention. My picks, Jason Day and Justin Rose, have some ground to make up if the want to win.

 

Bubba looks poised to win but The Masters doesn't start until the back nine on Sunday. There is a lot of golf left.

 





Masters' First Round Action

Thursday of Masters' Week feels like Christmas Morning. Whether it's waking up early to watch the ceremonial first tee shots or staying up late to watch the encore presentation, Thursday is an all day event.

 

The magic of Augusta National was on full display yesterday. Shots that land 40 feet from the pin cuddle up next to the cup. Shots that land next to the cup are propelled away as if there were a barrier around the hole.

 

 

Bill Haas leads after a first round 68. Since 1985, only one first round leader has won but since 2006 every winner has been within the top ten after the first round. Those within the top ten are in great position but the likes of Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, and Jason Day  have some work to do.

Bubba Watson shot the only bogey free round of the day with a three under par 69; not the person I would pick to play bogey free but thats Augusta.

Jason Dufner made a NINE on hole 13. He was two paces off the edge of the green in two and almost knocked his eagle chip in the hole, but a little too much speed carried it into the hazard. Augusta humbles even the best.

I look forward to a great next three days. The weather sounds like it will be perfect so the tournament committee will be able to set the golf course up how they like.

Oh...and look out for Marc Leishman. He played with Adam Scott in the final round last year and has the game to win at Augusta.

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

"Hello Friends"

These famous words uttered by Jim Nantz at the start of coverage on Sundays in April still give me chills. The Masters is about to begin and for us, that signals the start of golf season.

There are many things to love about The Masters. Some of my favorites include the Par 3 Tournament, the live coverage of the Tournament Practice Facility all week long, Amen Corner, and the $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches where I'm not sure I would ever think about eating one...except at Augusta.

The Masters is a tournament that is unique in every way. There is a whisper among the patrons and the roars are loud but not rowdy. The claps respectful but not over the top. Augusta doesn't host The Masters it writes the story. I know the course better than the one I grew up on. As longtime caddy master Freddie Bennett said, "You don't read the greens, you learn them."

Augusta is unique in that way. Its a course you know before you step on the tee but never really understand. 1998 Masters Champion Mark O'Meara says he learns something new about Augusta every time he plays. Augusta can almost be described as perfect; hard but playable. Whether it's hole 13 that gives you a hook lie in the fairway but requires a cut into the green or the severe undulation that can't be seen on tv, Augusta National is a course I could never tire of playing.

The past champions at The Masters have been able to work the ball right to left off the tee as holes 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, and 17 all require this shot shape. Until recently, the favorite was a right handed player that could draw the ball, but with the recent success of Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir prior to that, a lefty who can fade the ball moves to the top of the list as the greens have gotten firmer and faster and a fade is easier to control.

My pick this year is Jason Day. He has played well this year with a win at the WGC Accenture Match Play. He has been injured but said during his press conference this week that he is swinging with no pain. Justin Rose is another player with the game to win at Augusta.

Here are Chris Thomson's thoughts:

Jason Day

Zach Johnson

Matt Kuchar

Phil Mickelson

Brandt Snedeker

"I am going with a few dark horses that have Masters experience and could break back through and slip into another Green Jacket.  Look out for Zach Johnson who has been hot as of late!  With his outstanding short game this could just be his week to capture his 2^nd Masters Championship.  Also, the likes of Brandt Snedeker who has had a near miss at Augusta and is playing well or the veteran Phil Mickelson who you always can’t count out because of his incredible shot making ability.   Having been to Augusta in the past and seeing the severity in elevation as well as the massive and incredibly fast and sloping greens, no matter how you slice it (no pun intended) it will come down to the player that gets hot both on and around the greens.  Did I pick one of the winners above?  Who know’s……will it be a newcomer; maybe!  Sit back, relax and watch the best golf event in the world and love every minute of it!!"

Whomever it may be, Augusta National will have the attention of every golfer this weekend. The Masters will produce a worthy champion, as it always does. Enjoy the weekend because it's The Masters.