Talk about casting a long shadow -- David Duval isn't favored like he was last year, but likes the way he's playing.
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You can't truly understand Augusta National without knowing the geography and architecture:
Bridges: There are three famous ones: Sarazen at No. 15, which commemorates Gene Sarazen's double-eagle at the hole in the 1935 Masters; Hogan at the 12th green, honoring Ben Hogan's record score of 274 set in 1953; and Nelson at the 13th tee, symbolizing Byron Nelson's play at the 12th and 13th holes when he won in 1937.
Cabins: There are 10 cabins to provide lodging for members -- seven in a semi-circle near the 10th fairway; three more that stand alone (Eisenhower, Butler and Roberts). The Eisenhower Cabin was built for the president in 1953. The Butler Cabin has doubled as a television studio since 1965.
Crow's Nest: Any amateur who wants can live above the clubhouse during the tournament. There is a 30-by-40 foot room, with three one-bed cubicles and one with two beds, plus a game table, sofa, chairs and a television.
Magnolia Lane: The entrance to Augusta National, complete with 60 magnolia trees on both sides. It's approximately 330 yards from the entrance to the clubhouse.
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Ch...ch...ch...ch...changes
Where's David Bowie when you need him (and how's his short game, for that matter)? All anybody can talk about as they prepare for the opening round of The Masters is what they've done to Augusta National.
As Bowie would say, "Turn and face the stranger."
The changes have been well-documented over the past couple of years: rough, rebuilt and enlarged greens, narrower fairways. As much as The Masters stands for tradition, it has no qualms about reinventing itself.
"We want to be traditionalists, but I think that (course designers) Bob Jones and Alister MacKenzie would have had to address the changes that have taken place with the distance of the golf ball and the equipment and the condition of the players," said tournament chairman Hootie Johnson.
The players have grumbled, mostly to themselves. Out-and-out revolt is a foreign concept at Augusta National.
"They invited me to play in their golf tournament," said David Duval. "They didn't call me up after last year's event and ask me what I thought about the changes, so I'm not worried about it. I want to play here. I feel good about being here. Next year, if they add 500 yards to the golf course, that's great. I'll play again."
Don't give them any ideas.
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Hal Sutton may have beaten Tiger Woods at The Players Championship, but he's no lock at Augusta. Sutton has missed the cut in his last eight Masters appearances. And no player has won both events in the same year.
Only Jack Nicklaus (1965-66) and Nick Faldo (1989-90) have won back-to-back green jackets. That's bad news for defending champion Jose Maria Olazabal.
If Woods were to win, he'd be the third-youngest person to win three majors at 24 years, 101 days. The only ones younger: Sarazen and Nicklaus.
Sometimes, first-timers at Augusta aren't much different that players at your local muni. Take British Open champ Paul Lawrie. He got to the 10th tee on Tuesday and saw former Masters champions Gary Player and Charles Coody waiting. He asked if he could play along.
Says Lawrie: "Gary Player was very helpful. He was picking out stuff and gave me a bunker lesson, which was very nice."
Also, Arnold Palmer continued his tradition and played a practice round with three of the amateurs in the field, including defending U.S. Amateur champion David Gossett.
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OVERHEARD
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GARCIA
On his chances of winning: "You have to realize I'm still very young, still 20, and there's a lot of time to come. And if it doesn't come this year or next year, I'm sure it will come." |
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CLARKE
On beating Tiger Woods: "Even the best player in the world isn't unbeatable. He doesn't play fantastic every day. He just plays fantastic more often than the rest of us. That's why he's No. 1." |
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WOODS
On changes at Augusta: "They're changing the golf course and the way it's meant to be played. This golf course is predicated around hard, fast greens ... Now they're taking good, solid long drives ... out of the equation." |
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PALMER
On playing with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player: "I've seen them before. I'm pleased. The problem is the first day we play at 1:25 (p.m. ET). I go to bed at 5 o'clock, so we're going to have to play fast." |
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David Duval knows Augusta National's course changes won't affect his play.
