Best Tournament of The Year

[docstank]

The best tournament of the year, The Masters, has teed off and there has been absolutely no chatter about this great event. Why is that?

Tiger's domination?
The snow reminding us we are still a month away from actually banging the ball around in decent conditions?
The shitty CBS T.V. coverage schedule?

This is one of my favorite events of the year can't wait for cbs to get off their ass and come on the air.

[pup]

It seems funny to me this is considered the greatest event on tour, when in reality only 5 guys have a shot at winning it most years.

I understand the nostalgia (SP?) and all, but the US Open is much more entertaining to me, when about 20 guys are realistic to win even in The Time of Tiger.

If Tiger, Phil, Singh, Els or Goosen don't win it, I would be shocked.

Maybe I am too casual a golf fan to really get it!

[docstank]

The main thing to me I guess is the nostalgia, the azaleas in bloom, amen corner, butler cabin..nothing beats it for me. I remember sitting there with my dad watching a 46 year old Jack win his sixth green jacket..absolutely priceless. I think it is the tradition that sucks me in along with the unbelievable real estate. The U.S. Open competitively speaking is superior but sometime tradition is enough. The U.S. and British Opens moving around kind of takes from that sense of tradition although I love both events. Nothing to me, however compares to the masters.

[pup]

That makes sense.

So give me an outsider I can root for this weekend.

I say Charles Howell III. If he wins it, I will become a Masters Pimp!

If you pick the winner from someone outside the 5 I mentioned earlier, I will caddy for you some day.

[swerb]

This is easily one of my favorite sporting events of the year.

I'm looking very forward to making some homemade sauce & meatballs Sat morning, pciking up a couple good bottles of vino, locking the doors, taking the phone off the hook ... and doing nothing but eating, drinking, watching the Masters & Tribe this weekend, and teaching my kid some new dunks on his 3 foot hoop.

Stank nailed it. The history, the azaleas, Amen Corner, Butler Cabin ... the famous finishes:

"Yes Sir!"
"A Win For The Ages"
"Is it his time ... YES!"

Last year, CBS replayed the telecast of Jack's improbably "Yes Sir" win in 1986. I saw it then, but forgot the drama, how awesome it all played out. And how unlikely a win it was given Jacks age.

Just a great, great event. That gorgoeus, pristine course ... carved out on a piece of land in otherwise downtrodden Augusta, GA.

Predictions ...

~Charles Howell The Tird chokes once again. He doesn't have it between the ears, and the pressure of playing here, where he grew up amid sick hype and many expected Masters wins ... it gets to him again. Despite the fact he's playing great golf.

~Tiger wins again, but not easily. Three way playoff. Tiger, Paul Casey, Robert Allenby.

~A couple vets, Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal are there on Sunday. I also like Padraig Harrington, Stew Cink, and Shingo Katayama to menace.

[docstank]

C. Howell III is a nice pick to follow this week, a hometown favorite in Georgia with a good chance. Adam Scott, Chad Campbell is a real long shot, Furyk, Henry and Stenson are fit well for the course.

[swerb]

I like Campbell and JJ Henry this week too.

[pup]

Lefty, +4 thru 6.

What a train wreck this guy is.

[docstank]

The Big Easy is +5 thru 8.

[swerb]

Fuckin Els is killing my fantasy golf team this year. Time to cut bait on him next week.

[docstank]

So much f'in talent, his body just wont cooperate with him.

[sandlot33]

anyone know what channel this is on??? I cant find it and find it hard to believe it is not televised

[swerb]

USA, 4 PM

The old coots at the Masters limit the TV coverage each day.

Just cause they can.

Every Sunday, I'm em effing those guys for a couple hours leading into the 2:30 start of their coverage.

Doesn't start till 3:30 on Saturday.

[sandlot33]

thanks dick

[docstank]

you can watch amen corner coverage right now at:
http://attblueroom.com/sports/masters/index.php

Also bonus coverage starts at this site one hour before tv coverage. You can watch action right now on holes 11, 12, and 13 right now at that site.

[sandlot33]

thanks doc

[pup]

That is sweet.

So now the IT people at work can add Watched Live Masters Coverage to

MLBTV.com
March Madness on demand.

Wonder what else is in my portfolio?

[pup]

Dudes, that wind looks like it is crazy. Don't know what hole it is, but there is a little pond on the front left (from the fairway) and the flag was blowing directly at the pond. That don't look like an easy shot to me.

[docstank]

If this wind dies down later after it dries out the fairways, the late bombers today can score much better than what we are seeing right now, but if the wind continues to blow we will see much of the same the rest of the day. Greens will be lightning.

[pup]

Don't golfers usually step away from the area when another guy is putting? Sergio the Spitter was just kneeling down about 8 feet from the cup while a couple guys just missed putts.

[docstank]

He is such a Eurotool.

[docstank]

Two pars on the front nine for Lefty.

[swerb]

T1 R. Beem -2 16 -2 show
T1 J. Rose -2 12 -2 show
T1 J. Singh -2 7 -2 show
T1 L. Glover -2 5 -2 show
T5 T. Clark -1 18 -1 71 71 show
T5 V. Taylor -1 18 -1 71 71 show
T5 Z. Johnson -1 18 -1 71 71 show
T5 L. Westwood -1 8 -1 show
T5 C. Stadler -1 7 -1 show
T5 F. Zoeller -1 4 -1 show
T5 T. Bjorn -1 4 -1 show
T5 P. Harrington -1 3 -1 show
T13 D. Love III E 18 E 72 72

[docstank]

Glover fits this course well also.

[yogi]

USA, 4 PM

The old coots at the Masters limit the TV coverage each day.

Just cause they can.

Every Sunday, I'm em effing those guys for a couple hours leading into the 2:30 start of their coverage.

Doesn't start till 3:30 on Saturday.

I hear swerb and I agree but OTOH its kinda cool that there's at least one event that doesn't bow down to the almighty dollar and sell out.

Thay have tradition. And that's one of the reason why I love playing and watching this sport Especially this tournament.

Any women protesters?

Gotta love them ol coots!

I would have loved it if they kicked Serg out for spittin in the cup!

[swerb]

USA, 4 PM

The old coots at the Masters limit the TV coverage each day.

Just cause they can.

Every Sunday, I'm em effing those guys for a couple hours leading into the 2:30 start of their coverage.

Doesn't start till 3:30 on Saturday.

I hear swerb and I agree but OTOH its kinda cool that there's at least one event that doesn't bow down to the almighty dollar and sell out.

Thay have tradition. And that's one of the reason why I love playing and watching this sport Especially this tournament.

Any women protesters?

Gotta love them ol coots!

I would have loved it if they kicked Serg out for spittin in the cup!

I hear ya, and agree Yog.

I just selfishly want more coverage.

Like the US Open ... weekend coverage starts at like 8 AM. You can watch for 4 hours before anyone 1st page even gets near the 1st tee.

Gives me time to become one with the course, conditions, pin placements.

[jdrake10]

Swerb,

Right now I am thinking things aren't so bad. Sure, i've got ice on my balls, but I just took a vicodin, I'm reclinning in my lazy boy, I've got my lap top out watching Live Masters scores and a live feed of Amen Corner, plus I'm watching the Golf Channel and ESPN (PIP) at the same time. But I just realized I don't have the masters pool spreadsheet at home. Can you email it to me at jdrake10@neo.rr.com.

[yogi]

Can you email it to me at jdrake10@neo.rr.com.

look in your mail!

Good Luck!

[jdrake10]

Thanks Yogi!

[swerb]

This course is just playing incredibly tough this year. I calling right now, with a windy weekend, and no precipitation just making those greens harder and faster ... +2 or +3 is winning this thing.

You gotta love a course with wide fairways and really no penal rough, playing this tough.

[jdrake10]

Swerb, if it continues to play tough and scores keep diving on day 3, I expect them to let the greens get a little longer for day 4. Not good for ratings to have +3 win the thing. But then again it is the Masters and they do whatever they want there so who knows.

[D$]

1/2 hour until coverage expands beyond Amen Corner on <www.masters.org> I can't believe 13 is playing over par. Nobody can find the upper shelf. The pin on 12 is nestled just over the trap and is almost impossible to attack. Tough to make up any strokes so far, all anyone can do is try to hang on and hope the field falls back to them. Can't wait to see how the rest of the course is playing, but these scores are making the U.S Open look low scoring.

[swerb]

A 510 yard par 5 playing over par, amazing. Casey continues to play very well. Gun to my head, hes my non Tiger pick to win this thing right now.

Should be great theater the next 2 days. And thanks for the reminder about Amen Corner Live online JD ...

[D$]

The most amazing thing about the 13th is that nearly everyone is accepting that it's 3 shots to the green and they still can't keep the short irons up top. I watched Katayama get home in 2, but he 3-jacked it from 40ft. Overall, I've never seen such respect for keeping the ball below the hole. I waiting to see who brought the flatstick today because that's who's going to make up shots. These guys with firm uphill putts should be knocking more down. By the way, Appleby is killing it out of the gate.

[swerb]

Appleby has long been an elite player, and has failed to menace in majors. Hes clearly at the top of the current "best player never to win a major list" with guys like Harrington, Sergio, Monty, and Luke Donald.

Like OMeara in 98, wouldn't surprise me if it was his time this year.

[furls]

Brutal conditions....

Normally when I watch tournaments and two guys are tied, I usually give the advantage to the guy who has the most holes remaining. For Instance:

Golfer A -12 (17)
Golfer B -12 (5)

I would generally say that Golfer B is really sort of leading. Right now, this feels more like a US Open where it is more likely for guys to bogey than birdie.

I gotta think the leader after today will be +1 or +2.

[swerb]

This thing is shaping up like a 3-4 stroke win for Tiger, with a final board that looks like this.

Tiger -1
rest of 1st page +3

Tiger just doesn't miss anything under 5-6 feet. And as D said, this thing is coming down to a putting contest tomorrow and late today.

[yogi]

If the lead is at +3, don't forget Phil is only 3 shots back.

Maybe we get that mano-e-mano dual we are all waiting for.

Winner takes it at +2 or +3!

[furls]

Wow, +2 leads the masters after 3 rounds. Unbelievable.

Tiger's 72 looks pretty impressive now.

Guessing winning score tomorrow will be even par. I got a feeling there will be a couple rounds in the high 60s tomorrow.

[swerb]

Tiger in the final group.

And how bout that crew at +6?

Goosen, Toms, Phil, Furyk, Donald, Sabbatini, Kelly, Clark.

Watch out for Paddie Harrington at +4. He's been playing well, putts great, and is overdue to win a major.

[FUDU]

Tiger's focus, his mental toughness and his ability to impose his will on himself and his opposition is unprecedented and unequaled, and I am a Jordan fan.

While I don't consider golfers athletes Tiger is without question the world of sports most unbreakable figure.

If he wins yet again today it just adds to that lore.

[swerb]

Hes never come back from out of the lead to win a major, so thats one more barrier he can break today.

Amazing to hear this morning that EVERY Masters winner, for the last 16 years, has come from the final group ... which clearly bodes well for Tiger today.

Lets be honest, anything other than a Tiger win would be shocking. Thats how good he is on Sunday at majors. When other people crumble under the pressure (see Appleby on 17 yesterday, and Vaughn Taylor when he briefly siezed control of the lead) ... Tiger thrives.

The two guys that I think can give him the toughest fight today are Appleby and Harrington. And I think one of the guys in that group at -6 (Goosen is my pick) will post a 69, and get to the house at +3, which may be god enough to force a playoff.

[yogi]

Lets be honest, anything other than a Tiger win would be shocking. Thats how good he is on Sunday at majors. When other people crumble under the pressure (see Appleby on 17 yesterday, and Vaughn Taylor when he briefly siezed control of the lead) ... Tiger thrives.

Not so quick there swerb!

On both Thursday and Saturday Tiger finished 17 & 18 - bogie - bogie.

I also think he underwhelmed last year on the final holes.

I give Appleby a shot, but I really think someone will post a number and be in the clubhouse in the last 4 or 5 groups and watching with baited breath every shot Tiger & Stu make coming home.

I would not be surprised to see a 3 or more sudden death play-off.

[swerb]

I hope you're right Yog. I don't dislike Tiger at all. I'm just sick of him depriving me of drama and good TV on Sundays at majors.

First thing I thought when he bogeyed 17 and 18 yesterday was ... "Shit, even more motivation for this guy tomorrow". That was when he was 4 back of the lead. Then, the pack came back to him to the point where hes now in the final group.

As I mentioned before, I do see one of that group at +6 posting a number, getting in the house at +3 or +4.

But history says that Tiger shoots 70-71 today and wins by 2-3 strokes.

[swerb]

Early report from Augusta, via The Golf Channel guys there ...

NO wind, greens more receptive than they have been all week, pin placements pretty much traditional Sunday ... but not as evil as in past years.

Their take: expect some sub 70 rounds

[D$]

Wow! Lefty opens the first hole with a triple bogey 7. Way to bring your A-game Phil.

[D$]

If you haven't checked out the live video feeds from <www.masters.org> I suggest you do so. The "Masters Extra" feed is just like the television coverage, sans commercials. The "Amen Corner" feed is really interesting. The microphones are placed extremely well and you can often catch some very candid comments and reactions from the players. I watched Tim Herron explode on the 12th yesterday and it was very entertaining. Well worth giving it a look.

[FUDU]

The two guys that I think can give him the toughest fight today are Appleby and Harrington.

IMO Appleby's chances are slim today simply due to the fact he has to golf WITH Tiger.

Tiger is hard enough to beat when he is in another group behind coming up on you, but to have to watch him and then know he is watching you and silently waiting like some deep ocean predator is too much for anybody on the tour to handle.

IMO Appleby falls down the board far enough that if you tuned in to this Masters for the first time today you wouldn't have a clue he was even near the top in this tournament.

Only Tiger will beat Tiger.

LeBron needs to find his way into that little Federer/Tiger circle of mega star friends and learn something.[/quote]

[D$]

Classic start for Tiger off the 1st tee. Appleby puts his in the woods, followed by Tiger bombing one right down the middle. Woods watches it for about a second after hitting it, then procedes to pop a stoogie in his grill for the stroll up to his second. Awesome.

[FUDU]

Was that your prediction or did that actually happen? I missed the first few minutes.

A birdie for Tiger, after a bad early miscue for a Sunday, could get the ball rolling.