Sunday at The Masters
Sunday at Augusta. The best day in tournament golf, of the year. This year should prove no exception.
There are several reasons why The Masters is such thrilling theater. Most poignant, is that the players have to be so exact with their shots that on any given hole, they can make a birdie or a double bogey. Unlike the US Open for instance, where each par made is an accomplishment, there are birdies to be had at Augusta; but only for, perfectly struck shots.
There are three young players at the top of the leaderboard, whose time has come. Trevor Immelman (who Gary Player compares to the great, Ben Hogan), really showed his mettle yesterday. He could have “lost it” early in his round as he missed two very short putts in the first few holes but he kept his calm and hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation (no mean feat) and played almost flawlessly on his back 9.
Brandt Snedeker, who may be the best American player under the age of 30, also showed true grit, after making 3 consecutive bogeys on “Amen Corner”, he rebounded by playing his last 6 holes in 3 under. The strength of Snedeker’s game is his short game. He has an artists’ imagination with his chipping and is a superb putter-valuable tools indeed for Augusta.
Englishman, Brian Davis, plays without fear, and although he has won 6 times on the European Tour, has yet to win in the States. With forearms that would make Popeye proud, Davis hits the ball a long; long way and is very creative around the greens.
Logic would tell you that Tiger (6 shots behind the leader, Immelman) has too much ground to make up, but since Mr. Woods has spent the last 13 years, defying logic, maybe he will play a round, for the ages.
That is the beauty of Augusta, anything can and probably, will, happen. Stay tuned.
