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I was thinking about why the Masters is such a must-see event, and I came up with this huge list of compelling reasons, which made me realize that hey, that is precisely the reason we can’t miss it. It literally has everything that makes golf the great game that it is, plus the familiarity that can only come by holding the event on the same course every year. It is the first major of the year, and after a long cold winter the anticipation has grown. We want to see the great ones go head to head and we have watched the tournament so many times that we know what they are facing on every hole, indeed on almost every shot. Now that the coverage runs from the first hole on we can join the fray and share the pressure from start to finish. There are multiple stories every day, and things change by the minute.
I played Augusta once, back in 1980 when I was a senior at LSU and we were in town for the SEC Championship. It was late May, and the course was a bit shaggy, so we didn’t get a good feel for what it was like under tournament conditions, but it was very cool to be there and to see the amazing elevation changes on the holes and on the greens. I came back in the early 90’s to walk around with Gary Hallberg in a practice round, one in which he played with eventual champion Bernhard Langer, and also watched the par-3 event, which is another unique part of the week. I went out onto the range with Gary and took video of some of the greats of the day, Woosnam, Olazabal, Ballesteros and O’Meara among others.
This year it starts off as all about Rory and Tiger. We can only hope that both will be in contention, and if they are it will be one of the all-time great Masters. If Tiger doesn’t win I’m rooting hard for Lee Westwood, who I think is one of the most likable of all the top players, and one who would appreciate a win more than just about anyone, much like Darren Clarke at the British Open. Westwood is such a great ball striker, and if he can find a bit of magic in the putter it could be his year. Tiger seems like the favorite, but McIlroy just finished second at Texas and is rounding back into form. Of course there will be many in contention, and as they ride up and down the leader board we will be watching intently. I am usually working until close to the end of the day, so thank goodness for DVR. Just don’t tell me what happens until I get a chance to watch. I’ll be taking a look at the swings of the leaders each day, so make sure to stay tuned to the website.
Some previous videos and posts relating to the Masters:
From 2011:
The 2011 Masters: McIlroy’s Meltdown
Rory McIlroy Golf Swing Analyzed
Pre-Shot Routine: Charl Schwartzel
Angel Cabrera Old School Golf Swing Analyzed
From 2012:
Swing Analysis: Day 1 at the Masters: Westwood and Oosthuizen
Swing Analysis: Day 2 at the Masters: Couples and Dufner
Swing Analysis: Day 3 at the Masters: Hanson and Mickelson
Swing Analysis: The Masters Final Round: It’s Bubba!
Article: “Bubba’s “No Technique” Win Thrills Chamblee”
The guy who started it:
Bobby Jones Golf Swing Analyzed
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