One of the wonderful things about The Masters is this is one of those weeks that the fans can look forward to probably just as much as the players.
For many people this week really signifies the start of the golf season and those in the Northern hemisphere can shake off the winter clothes and get ready for some warmer weather and lots of golf. You can really feel that anticipation here at the course.
This tournament and this golf course combined have such an amazing history and, as I’m sure you do, I have some special memories from my childhood of watching this tournament on television and being inspired by the place and the players. Like Gary Player winning in 1978 and getting that great bear hug from Seve on the 18th green. Then Seve – my boyhood hero – winning twice in the early 80s. And obviously there was Jack winning in 1986, which I sat up and watched late into the night with my Dad – what an amazing putt that was on 17!
The week is a gradual build-up really and I went and practised a little bit yesterday and will probably head out again today and play some holes. I really look forward to the Par-3 tournament on Wednesday as my daughter Samantha comes and caddies for me. It is such a unique event with a real stadium type feel, as the fans are all around on the banks watching and cheering. The tee times for the tournament round get announced today (Tuesday) so you get a better feel for how the latter part of the week will plan out, but essentially you are trying to stay focused and get your game ticking over, but also not burn up all your energy on these first few days.
Looking back I always felt this was the perfect course for my game, with my right-to-left shot shape, and I love the challenge the greens and surrounds provide with the short game. I’ve played some great golf here over the years and also had a little misfortune. I came close twice before in 2000 and 2004 and obviously am hoping that 2015 will be the year. There is some amazing talent out here again this year but I think the Masters is one place where experience has huge value.
Obviously, coming back to the same venue is unique at The Masters and there are so many subtleties to this course that you often have to have played it to know and understand what they mean to the approach shots and also the positioning off the tee. It is so difficult to appreciate the movements and slopes here when watching on TV and I know that the announcers talk about that every year but the cameras, which flatten things out, just can’t pick it all up. Sometimes you have to play to certain spots on the green rather than your instinct to fire directly at a flag so that experience is a big factor in my opinion.
My game is feeling good and I am rolling the ball nicely on the greens and have made lots of birdies the last couple of weeks, which is always a nice feeling. I have made a few errors that have cost me scoring wise, but feel that my game is right there.
As always at Augusta there are so many additional stories during the week and one that I want to draw attention to is Ben Crenshaw. A two-time former champion here – and low amateur at Augusta – Ben is playing in his last Masters. Not only has he been a great ambassador for The Masters, but he is also a great statesman for the game of golf in general.
That’s it for now. Follow me on Twitter @TheBig_Easy.
