A tradition unlike
any other, Caleb writing about golf, on CBS
by Caleb Clearman
Its that time of year again friends, April in Georgia. That
can only mean one thing, cue Jim Nantz, A tradition unlike any other The
Masters. Even though this Masters does not have the appeal of past years
without the presence of Tiger Woods lurking on the leader board, it is still
one of the best weekends of the year. Or if you’re Jim Nantz the BEST WEEK
EVER, as he just left a star studded Final Four in Jerry’s World earlier this
week.
Even
without Tiger this tournament does have things to get excited about. Reigning
champ Adam Scott comes back with all of Australia hoping he can repeat (lets
not get carried away mates, it was only last year when you won your first!!).
Rory McIlroy
will be there, after having a disappointing season last year many are excited
about what the future holds for this young star. Of course we have Phil who is
always capable of pulling something amazing out at Augusta, a course he has so
much respect for!! Awkward
jump!! (Sorry I had too).
Of
course at Augusta we always get to see past winners. One of the most respected
men in golf and this year’s Ryder Cup captain will be there. The Masters is
always an emotional trip for Tom since losing his longtime caddy and best
friend Bruce Edwards. With one of my favorite traditions of the weekend, Tom
leaves one of Augusta’s famed egg salad sandwich on the 13th tee for
Bruce every year. We also have a man who has been excellent the past 5 years in
the opening days Fred Couples. Fred has a special place in my heart, being from
Seattle, and I’m sure my Grandpa will yell out multiple “DO IT FOR JEFFERSON!!” this
weekend. (Jefferson Golf Course, Fred and my Grandpa’s old stomping grounds in
Seattle). We will see if Fred can hold it together during the weekend as his
average on Saturday the past 5 years is 76.
Will
this be the year that one of the big name players without a major wins a title?
The likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, and my
pick, Jason Day, will all be looking to be in contention on Sunday. Or will we
see some of the tours bright young stars emerge before our eyes at Augusta.
Personally, I think this course sets up lovely for a player like Dustin Johnson
or Jordan Speith to make a name for themselves. However, even if Dustin loses
he is still winning at home, check
last weeks Golf Digest for more on that.
The
release of the tee times this week have paired some big name players. There are
multiple groups that I am excited to follow. The biggest threesome is by far Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia,
and Bubba Watson. Donald and Garcia will both be looking for their first majors
while Watson will be a favorite to win his second Masters in just a three-year
span. Another massive threesome has Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, and Justin Rose.
The group I am most excited to follow is the star-studded group of World
numbers 3,4, and 11. You probably think you know who those guys are, but YOU’RE
WRONG. World number 3 is Henrik Stenson, who had a fantastic season last year.
He is paired with another Australian hopeful before mentioned Jason Day is
world number 4 after his Match play Championship win earlier this year. These
two will be paired with up and coming super star Dustin Johnson, who is looking
to get his first major win after two nightmare mistakes at the 2010 US open at
Pebble and the 2010 PGA with the whole bunker fiasco. There are many exciting
groups to look forward to this weekend.
Day 1 Thoughts
Thursday always starts off with one of the coolest
traditions in all of sports. The honorary starters, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus,
Arnold Palmer and all 13 of their Green Jackets start things off. Good to see
Nicklaus can still stripe the fairway, seriously the guy is 74 years old and
his ball flight is better than mine will ever be.
The
first thing I notice every year when watching this tournament is how beautiful
this golf course is. I swear the cut the whole thing with scissors. The
fairways are perfect, pine straw if lush, and the gardens are the prettiest
gardens in the world. I’m serious this gold course might be the most beautiful
place on God’s green earth.
A
big factor this weekend is going to be the weather. We say that about every
golf tournament, but the heat really changes this course. With temperatures in
the upper 70’s low 80’s this weekend the greens are going to get dry and hard.
I don’t even want to try to make a putt on 13 going back down the hill. All
right lets talk about what’s happening on the course.
A
relative no namer, Jonas Blixt jumped out to an early lead, firing a front nine
33. I don’t expect him to be in contention on Sunday, so everyone stop freaking
out.
Some impressive play from Bill Haas
will give him the Thursday lead as he came out and shot a solid 68, with big
birdies on 13,14, and 18. Haas is solid player and has great golf genes, his
dad being Jay Haas.
The day one leader board is full of
big names, which will all be chasing Haas Friday. Adam Scott, last year’s
winner, played a great round Thursday carding a 3-under 69. Louis Oosthuizen
finds himself at the top of a Master leader board again, with a 69 as well.
Bubba Watson is within striking distance and played a solid round. Rory McIlroy
carded a 71, as did Fred Couples, impressive first timer Jordan Spieth, and
everyone’s favorite highlighter Rickie Fowler.
With some big names atop the leader
board the thing that surprised me was the struggles of some of the favorites.
Phil Mickelson really struggled shooting 4 over and taking a terrible triple on
the par 4 7th. Personally I think Phil’s back is bugging him and
playing last weekend in Houston probably wasn’t the best idea. Other hopefuls
Dustin Johnson, Luke Donald, and last years PGA winner Jason Dufner all looked
awful carding 77, 79, 80 respectfully.
I look for players like Brandt
Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Kuchar to have good Fridays to get themselves
in contention for the weekend. It is weird to me watching The Masters and not
seeing Tiger out there drawing massive crowds and angering me when he makes bad
shots. It just isn’t the same.
Day 2 Friday
Holy Bubba Watson!! Wow what a back nine. The 2012 Masters
champion will go into Saturday with a 4 shot lead after shooting a 4 under 68
Friday. Watson shot even par the front 9 and got hot on the back nine Saturday.
Watson birdied 5 straight starting with the par 3 12th. Things
really got going for him on the par 5 13th when he hit his drive
about 8,000 yards and had a short iron into the green. Watson then made a
spectacular put on 14 to keep the birdie train rolling. Bubba unfortunately
ended the round with a bogey on 18, but still holds a 4 shot lead. His nearest
chaser is another Aussie John Senden who also shot a 4 under 68 today. Senden
is great player and fantastic ball striker who I fully expect to be in the hunt
come Sunday.
The
biggest story from Friday was the cut line. The number finally landed on 4 over
and saw a number of big name players above that number. Phil Mickeslon struggled
again today, taking another triple bogey this time on the par 3 12th.
Mickelson will miss the cut and
not be playing this weekend leaving a number of fans disappointed that both he
and Tiger will not be chasing the leaders Sunday. A handful of other players
will not be playing this weekend. Big name players including Sergio Garcia,
Dustin Johnson, Jason Dufner, last year runner up Angel Cabrera, and Graeme
McDowell will all be watching from home this weekend.
Many
players who played well Thursday did not play well Friday, most notably
Thursday leader Bill Haas. Haas struggled with the pressure and shot a disappointing
6 over today. Another player who almost missed the cut was Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy shot a 5 over 77 Friday and was unlucky in Amen Corner was his approach
shot at 13 took a crazy hop off a sprinkler head.
Saturday
at Augusta isn’t called moving day for nothing. I expect the leader board to
look completely different after tomorrow. There are some big questions that
will be answered. Will Bubba handle the spotlight being the leader? Will
McIlroy be ale to over come a difficult Friday and get back in the hunt? Will
Fred Couples struggle yet again on Saturday? Is it socially acceptable to be
drunk at noon on Sunday? All of these will be answered Saturday, at the
Masters?
I will be posting my thoughts about the
weekend on Sunday. Stay tuned for more and thanks for the read!!
Caleb Clearman
