Masters Diary – Wednesday

by Gary Williams | Apr 11, 2024 | Blog

The eve of any major championship takes on the same atmosphere except for the Masters.  The presence of the Par 3 contest brings a little levity and distraction from the mundane and fatiguing dynamic of the other three majors.  The big golf course is closed, and the attention of the fans overwhelmingly is trained on the delightful short course.  The par 3 course at Augusta National is another example of the vision of the club.  George Cobb originally designed the short course in 1958 and today many new private destination clubs construct short courses as an additional asset for their memberships and Augusta National was WAY ahead of the curve. 

There were breezy and humid conditions on Wednesday with impending storms on Thursday.  Every player has expressed how firm the golf course is right now and most think it’s with the knowledge that Thursday could be a wash out.  The golf course is generally not super crispy and the last time I felt it was edgy was 2014.  Bubba Watson won his second green jacket, but the final leaderboard was eclectic…  Jonas Blixt, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, Kevin Stadler, and the over 50 set of Bernard Langer and Miguel Angel Jiminez.  Bouncy and firm opens up the field to shot makers and bunters and here’s hoping the windy, low humidity and sunny days from Friday on means it’s wide open.  Those conditions also lend itself to Tiger having his best chance for a record breaking 24^th straight made cut.  Nobody is a better ground game player than the 5-time champion. 

Wednesday observations:

• I’m not an egg person.  I’m really not a huge breakfast guy but the scrambled eggs at Augusta National are the lightest, fluffiest, eggs I’ve ever had.  Add to that the most consistent bacon and you have a rock-solid breakfast.  The grits are average, very average.  That’s the weak link on the morning breakfast menu in the Press Building.

• The chairman of Augusta National, Fred Ridley, conducted his annual press conference and he shared some interesting notes about the present and the future.  I asked him what the data showed them about year one at the lengthened 13^th hole in 2023 and Ridley said despite the wet and softer conditions they were encouraged by the “go for it” numbers.  More players choose to go for the green in two even though average distance to the green was increased.  He went on to say that they need three to five years of data to really get a snapshot on the effects of the changes.

• By 2026 the club will construct a new players facility for players, their families and support staff.  They will also build underground parking for the players to continue to improve the convenience and experience of the players.  

• The chairman also suggested that the door is not completely closed to the idea of a women’s professional event despite the serious challenges of the calendar.

• Ridley is made it clear that the club supports the governing bodies impending roll back of the golf ball and that opens the slim possibility that at least three of the majors would be played with a different and shorter golf ball than the PGA Tour if the tour does not adopt the modified local rule starting in January of 2028.

• In the summer of 2014, I was playing in a Champions Tour event in Chicago and on the shuttle back to the hotel from the draw party Hale Irwin heard that I was going to run the NYC marathon that November.  Irwin said when we get to the hotel, he would race me to the elevators from the parking lot.  He won the race; he was 68 years old at the time.  I saw Hale today and reminded him of that moment and he reminded me that he won the race.  Irwin is known for the three U.S. Open titles, but he was very good at the Masters.  He had four straight top 5’s from 1974 to 1977.  At 78 years old he looks super fit and likely capable of still beating me in a race.

• I met Keegan Bradley, and his now wife Jillian, when they were dating 12 years ago.  Today, to see them with the kids all decked out in caddy gear is the latest example that time is precious and swift.  

• I walked out to get a closer look at the alterations to the 2^nd and 6^th greens.  The 2^nd green on the hard right-hand side will not be as easy to putt back down toward the hole from the back of the green and that is the traditional Sunday pin.  The change to the right of the back shelf on 6, which is also a Sunday pin, is subtle but will impact balls on the edge of the green in a disadvantageous way.  

• I made a point of standing a hundred yards off the tee on the 10^th hole.  From that vantage point you can see the MacKenzie bunker which is the most artistic in shape of any green on the golf course.  Its, in my estimation, the most majestic view on the golf course with the grand loblolly pines leaning behind the putting surface.

• Crowds today were massive in line for the main merchandise building with the time elapsed to get inside the building exceeding an hour.  The huge concession area on the other side of the merchandise building was also swelling well outside the building.

• The permanent trophy that resides in the stately sitting area in the main clubhouse is spectacular.  I made a point of going and seeing it this morning as I made my way over to the big tree to meet some friends for a chat.  The collage of photos of all the champions that adorn the area just inside the main door to the clubhouse next to the registration area is very underrated.

• I think this tournament will be won by Scottie Scheffler.  It’s the chalkiest of picks but I’m not trying to be clever, I’m simply leaning on the most reliable go in the game right now.  Of course, it may be one of at most a dozen players, but I’ll take the favorite.  I expect Koepka and Rahm to be there late, and I’ll play the Spieth card to top 5 because it’s what he does here.  I think Tiger plays the weekend because it’s what he does.  I will be there in the morning, weather permitting, to watch Nicklaus, Watson and Player hit their tee shots and I will be filled with gratitude.  

Its time.  

Masters Diary – Tuesday

by Gary Williams | Apr 10, 2024 | Blog

Tuesday was a persistent overcast day with very light showers early in the morning.  A very pleasant day for fans to walk the golf course and players to get a ton of work done.  Tuesday is also the big press conference day and the overall mood I sensed from the interview room was subdued and somewhat flat from most of the players.  I do not think that’s telling for a few of them but was revealing for a few others.

Tuesday observations:

• Viktor Hovland has a curious mind, and it appears he’s in deep on the swing thoughts.  He’s a constant tinkering of thought and theory but I just think he’s caught amid too much stuff to think he will be a factor.  He’s a good listen and was today.

• Jon Rahm is a terrific press room guy.  Takes time and he’s thoughtful about all subjects.  He was defensive on Tuesday about many things, in particular his move to LIV.  He was short and clumsy with some of his answers which is normally not his way at all.  I hope Tuesday night is a great night because he’s earned it, but Tuesday morning answering questions from the media was not enjoyable for him which is rare.

• Tiger spoke to a standing room only crowd and the items that stood out to me were his genuine feelings about how much he loves golf and that he thinks he has one more in him.  I simply don’t see it at all this year or in any year going forward.  He was asked about captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team next year at Bethpage and his answer was telling to me.  I think if he was not doing it, he would have made it very clear but instead he said he would be talking to Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America next week.  For the first time I think he’s doing it.  If I’m wrong, I’ll raise my hand but today I think he’s in.

• Rory McIlroy showed up late for his presser, on purpose, and left very quickly, on purpose.  I think the exercise is counterproductive for him and I believe the less he talks about the quest for the career grand slam the better.  I asked him about his communication with Butch Harmon and he said they text every day.  That’s a very good thing.

• Jordan Spieth has six top 4 finishes at the Masters and his presser is always solid with good answers.  He had an interesting reaction to Jaime Diaz’ question about the greens maybe being more puttable.  His recall of the condition of the golf course through the years was tremendous and its clear the place is special to him beyond the win in 2015.

• Brooks Koepka was cocksure and in major mindset.  He knows he’s got the mental advantage over the field, and he is unafraid to express it.  I would be very surprised if he’s not a factor.

• Scottie Scheffler is truly a delightful guy.  Unfazed by his place in the game and not defined by his job.  I asked him about his ability to clear his mind of any ancillary thoughts or noise and said he simply isn’t interested in what is said or written.  He also has never seen “For Love of The Game” with Kevin Costner because I asked him about the line. “Clear the mechanism” and he said I haven’t seen the movie.  Come on Scottie, prime Kelly Preston and John C Reilly as the lumbering catcher.  Good film.

• It’s always great to spend time with Mike Tirico especially when he is giving guidance and advice to other broadcasters.  He spent time showing Taylor Zarzour his football boards on his iPad and how he has units segmented out.  As versatile a broadcaster as there is in the industry.

• Had a spirited lunch with my old buddy Michael Breed.  Michael and I were assistant golf professionals at the same time in the early 90’s and I rarely get time with him.  We went region by region talking about our favorite golf courses that are not the most famous.  Seeing old friends is nourishing.

• It’s great to see the younger generation of golf writers and content creators around each other and covering this major championship.  Everyone knows how much I appreciate their acumen and passion.  It was also great to see Tom Coyne, outstanding writer, golf course owner and patriarch of The Broken Tee Society and The Golfers Journal.  Their 5-part series on the Making of the Masters is outstanding work and I highly recommend consuming it.

• Tuesday night was the team dinner for the SiriusXM radio team.  I cannot express how much I appreciate the togetherness and passion of the group.  I am a firm believer that you got to know and love it to be good at covering golf and this group is both.  

• Wednesday will be a big day on course for me in the morning and I’ll be coming with predictions tomorrow night.