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The onset of spring brings an anachronistic American festival straight from the heart of Georgia. In a country renowned for embracing the new and innovative, the invitational is a throwback in time – an American event that is British in character. The host, Augusta National Golf Club, is a private members only club that invites golfers from around the world to compete for the first major tournament of the calendar. The 77th edition of the prestigious Augusta Masters will tee off on Thursday with traditional pageantry when the current starters – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – initiate the battle for the hallowed Green Jacket with an honorary tee shot.
There is indeed a sudden spurt of excitement and interest in the media, helped largely by the resurgence of Tiger Woods, who has already won three times this season. Rory McIlroy added to the din last week when he made a final round 66 to finish second at the Texas Open and rediscover his form just ahead of the Masters. Justin Rose has been on a sweet ride, and despite continued putting difficulties, it would be a surprise if he didn’t get in the mix this weekend.
Phil Mickelson is a three time Masters champion and the air at Augusta seems to bring the best out of the leftie. The South Africans somehow find their best around Augusta too – Louis Oosthuizen would be eager to add to that title at the 2010 British Open and his compatriot Charles Schwartzel, winner here in 2011, cannot be ignored either. But as has happened so often in the recent past, we cannot be too surprised if we have yet another first time winner pulling on the iconic jacket on Sunday.
With too many contenders to name, the game is obviously riding a crest of good health. Besides, the Masters is a treasured celebration for the American contingent who can find great inspiration as they make their way to the famous clubhouse through Magnolia lane. None of that might be enough to prevent a rampant Woods from marching towards his fifth Green Jacket, if the serial winner finds his range of the 7,435 yard course.
Tiger is on a tear, having won his last two tournaments. The fact that Woods has been able to do that without really driving well is a message that might have registered in the minds of the illustrious field keeping the wild man company this week. If the 37 year old can start a conversation with his drivers at Augusta National, the rest of the field might as well pack their tents. Woods will start as an overwhelming favourite this week, aiming to clinch his fifth title in 19 visits to Augusta.
In fact, Tiger has been so consistent in these Georgian woods, the tie for 40th last year is his worst finish at the club. But the 14 time major winner hasn’t won a big event since the 2008 US Open and the Augusta since 2005. None of that prevented Tiger from talking up his chances of catching up with Nicklaus’s gold standard of 18 – “I would like to be able to get to that point,” said a beaming Tiger. “It took Jack Nicklaus a while to get to 18, all the way until he was 46-years-old. So there’s plenty of opportunities for me. We have very expansive careers and I feel like I’m basically right in the middle of mine. I have a lot of good years ahead of me and I’m excited about this week.”
The situation for McIlroy, though, is starkly different. The young Irishman is still dealing with the learning curve, fumbling along the way. The Irishman drew the ire of irate fans, who were miffed with the then world No.1 walking away disrespectfully midway through his second round at the Honda Classic. He apologised later, but his behaviour was far from befitting a King at the helm of his game. To add to his woes, McIlroy is still struggling to tune into the Nike tools that came with signing a massive multi-million deal.
In recent months, close observers have also questioned whether the young man has the dedication and commitment needed to thrive in the intensely competitive world of Golf, considering his varied interests and the tweet-a-minute relationship with Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. But in playing at Houston and Texas, the 23 year old may have finally taken the few steps needed to rediscover his rhyme and reason to be on the Tour. For a man of his skills, it is important to learn the grind because the game is such a leveller and there are bound to be days when talent alone will not suffice.
In search of his first Masters title, McIlroy downplayed comparisons with Woods, offering some much needed perspective, drawing from numbers – “I don’t see myself as a rival to Tiger or to anyone,” he said. “When you speak of rivals you tend to put rivals who have had similar success. He’s got 77 PGA Tour titles, I’ve got six, he’s got 14 majors, I’ve got two.”
Bubba Watson, still emotional after that magical win last year at the second play-off hole, will need to do a Tiger if he is to repeat his heroics from last year. Woods was the last man to defend a Masters title, when he did so in 2002. Even though a Watson repeat is much less likely, the 34 year old has the game and experience necessary to thrive on a stage like the Masters, drawing from his respect for the game and its traditions. A top ten finish might be a more realistic target for the 42nd ranked golfer.
Leftie has to be in the dialogue when the Tour arrives at Augusta. Phil Mickelson won here in 2010 with a fluent 16 under 272 that finally did some justice to his wealth of talent to don the Green Jacket for a third time. The 42 year old won the Phoenix Open in January, but he missed the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, underlining his wildly fluctuating fortunes. But when he steps on the greens at Augusta on Thursday, many will expect him to work his way into contention by Sunday afternoon.
As always, there is the story of an outlier that is bound to keep people interested and enthused at least for the first two rounds. Chinese lad, Guan Tianlang, is set to become the youngest player ever to tee off at the Tea Olive. The 14 year old from Guangzhou arrived in Georgia three weeks ago, looking to imbibe the nuances of the course. Tianlang had won the right to be at Augusta by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in December.
The cut at the Masters is typically the top 44 at the end of the first round or everyone within 10 strokes of the leader. Tianlang will no doubt be deeply thrilled to just remain in the fray through four rounds. The winner will collect nearly $1.5mn in prize money besides a Gold medal and the most coveted Green Jacket. The best amateur will be presented with the Silver Cup. Brace yourself for some thrilling action over the course of the next four days. May the best player wear green and turn his peers green with envy.
