1. One of the most interesting characters in The Masters this week is amateur Bryson DeChambeau. He’s the current U.S. Am and NCAA Individual Champion and is an oddity in golf as he plays a special set of irons that are all about the same length as the average 6 iron. He has a chance to truly make a statement here at Augusta National.
2. If you think that think Bryson’s clubs are based on some new, revolutionary thinking you’re wrong. Bobby Jones, Bryson’s hero, played a very similar set with his 5 iron through 9 iron all within an inch of each other. Maybe this mad scientist is on to something.
3. Adam Scott is making a bold play here at Augusta National. The ’13 Masters Champ has decided to put his old caddie, Steve Williams back on the bag even though he has had two wins this season with his regular caddie Dave Clark. Scott said it was his plan all along to bring Williams as part of a “job sharing” of sorts between the two.
4. Justin Rose is sort of flying under the radar here at The Masters especially so in our Links Life Golf Picks, no one selected him. But at number eight in the world and a T2 finish last year he is certainly capable of earning his first green jacket.
5. Tom Watson is making his last appearance as a player at this Masters and the two time winner has said for a few years now that this “new Augusta” is just too long for him. This is the eight time major champion’s 43rd time playing here and he made his first start as an amateur in 1970. Watson is one of the greats and thanks to his career on the Champions Tour and the fact that Augusta welcomes back all their champions we’ll still see plenty of him.
6. Jack Nicklaus isn’t convinced that Tiger Woods is done. He is confident that he’ll come back from his injuries and be a force again. “He’s too good a competitor not to come back,” he said. “I know his personality and his work ethic. He was over at my home a few weeks ago at a Ryder Cup gathering and looked good. He said he was able to practice chipping and putting with comfort. Actually, I’m surprised he’s not here playing, but I understand he wants to be sure of his health first.”
7. No player is coming into this Masters with more confidence than Jason Day. His breakthrough major PGA win last August has him believing he can win anywhere. That world number one ranking says the same. He’s won six of his last thirteen starts including back to back wins in his last two starts and is looking to make it a triple.
8. Last year after Jordan Spieth won his first major here the usual chatter about the Grand Slam started. After he captured the U.S. Open it went off the charts. Spieth had an historic season that had all of us breathless for months. Let’s see if this year’s winner can do the same.
9. While The Masters may be the most revered of the majors it normally has the weakest field. This year 89 golfers are teeing it up and that includes amateurs and past champions well past their time to compete. But that is one of the many aspects that makes it so special. One of those amateurs is Sammy Schmitz. He’s here by winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur and a former Division III All-American. He tried pro golf after college but found it too much of a grind. He now is in the health care industry and an average, regular Joe like the millions of people that will be watching Augusta all week.. Only he’ll be playing, talk about a dream come true.
10. Over the years there are thousand of photos taken at The Masters. And some of the best show the many varied aspects of the emotion and history of The Masters. One of my favorites is Jack and his ’86 charge. That raised putter and that yellow shirt have become icons of the game in their own right. But one of the recent photos I truly love is that shot of Adam Scott from behind, in his green jacket standing in the gentle rain. Even without seeing his face you know that there is nothing but pure joy coming from him. It’s an absolutely amazing photo.
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