Jack and the Masters;
15 top five finishes
22 top ten finishes
29 top twenty five finishes. He’s the man…
Lowest scores in a round at the Masters are by Nick Price, with a 63 in the 3rd round in ’86, along with Greg Norman’s first round 63 in ’96.
The trophy, depicting the clubhouse at Augusta, was introduced in 1961. It was made in England and consists of over 900 individual pieces of silver. We’d make do with the green jacket though (doesn’t need polishing). The winner takes away a silver replica of the trophy, the jacket, a gold medal – oh and a bit of dosh. But they don’t get to keep the jacket. They’re allowed to take it away the first year, then it has to be kept at the club with ex-winners allowed to wear them during tournie week.
One exception to this was Gary Player, winner in 1961, who failed to return his green jacket despite the club insisting that he did.
Recent holes in one have been;
2005 – Trevor Immelman, 16th, 177yds, 7 iron
2004 – Kirk Triplett, 16th, 177yds, 6 iron
2004 – Padraig Harrington 16th 177yds 6 iron
2004 – Chris DiMarco 6th 198yds 5 iron
1995 – Ray Floyd 16th 182yds 5 iron
1992 – Jeff Sluman 4th 213yds 4 iron
1992 – Cory Pavin 16th 140yds 8 iron
1988 – Curtis Strange 12th 155yds 7 iron
Who said “What a stupid I am!” after signing his last round card for a shot higher than his actual score, and thereby missing out on a play off for the title? – Roberto de Vicenzo in 1968. Bad day at the office that day. What a gent though – “but I congratulate Bob Goalby, he gave me so much pressure that I lost my brain.”
In the whole history of the Masters, no sudden death play-off has ever lasted more than two holes.
Despite having won SIX Masters, Jack Nicklaus has only ever been awarded one jacket. The rule is, just one unless the player’s size changes dramatically. We seem to remember young Jack’s weight yo-yoing a bit in his time…
Jack is the oldest winner of the Master (age 46) and Tiger the youngest (21). Jacket score is Jack 6 v Tiger’s 4. What’s the betting Tiger will catch up, he has a few years to do it in…
Some words from players on pressure, choking, the way of Augusta and one portion of sour grapes;
“There isn’t a hole out there that can’t be birdied if you just think. But there isn’t one that can’t be double-bogeyed if you stop thinking.” Bobby Jones.
“The greens are the course…they are faster than a fart in a hot skillet.” Dave Hill.
“I was shocked at where Augusta was. I thought it was in the middle of nowhere. Nobody told me it was across the street from a shopping plaza.” Paul Azinger.
“Driving down Magnolia Lane melts your spikes. You can’t tee off quick enough.” Greg Norman.
“I remember the first time I went to the range at Augusta National and took a divot. I looked down at the dirt and it was green. I couldn’t believe it.” Kenny Knox, US pro.
“This is the only course I know where you choke when you come in the gate.” Lionel Hebert, US Ryder Cup player and 5 times US tour winner.
“On the 15th hole I had started thinking about the green jacket. They gave it to Charles Coody.” Johnny Miller, finished second in 1971.
“The tournament brass will stop at nothing to keep Palmer happy. There is a story that he left the eleventh fairway one year to go to the woods to relieve himself. The next year a permanent restroom had been built on the spot.” Dave Hill.
“My, even the fairways are fast.” Byron Nelson.
“If it weren’t for the greens, this course would be nothing.” Steve Scott, US amateur after scoring 79 to miss the cut.
In front of the seventeenth tee is the ‘Eisenhower Pine’, a tree that the former US President hit so much that he asked for it to be cut down. The Chairman refused.
Since 1952 there’s been a Champions’ Dinner on the Tuesday night before the start of the tournament. The previous year’s winner picks the menu – with Sandy Lyle force feeding everyone haggis in 1989.
This year –
Gary Player will play for a remarkable 51st time, a new record. He’s only missed playing once since 1957.
There’s no British amateur playing this year. The winner of the title was an American. The winner of the USA Amateur has turned pro in the meantime too, so doesn’t get an automatic invite.
Changes to the course this year; first tee enlarged at front by ten yards in case the tee has to go forward in a strong wind (softies), seventh green enlarged to left, ninth green made a bit easier, eleventh has had some trees removed (where Tiger broke a club last year).