Danny Willett’s surprising win at The Masters was great drama. Unfortunately, for many it will be Jordan Spieth’s uncharacteristic meltdown that defines the 80th Masters. And that’s regrettable because because Willett played flawless golf in the final round and looks to be quite an interesting character.
It was a splendid week at Augusta…and I saw most of it from my couch. Here are some of the “Yes Sir” moments and a few of the “WTF” moments that marked my Masters experience.
Yes Sir! The ceremonial opening golf shots with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer looking on. Talk about special…this is one of the greatest traditions in the game.
WTF! The Augusta National members insist on limiting the national TV coverage each year. Early rounds started their broadcast at 3:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. We can all use more Masters coverage.
Yes Sir! That being said, The Masters website, Masters.com is head and green jacket covered shoulders above any other in sports. We do get to see much of the play long before the ESPN/CBS coverage starts and it is filled with so much info you could spend the entire week on it.
WTF! And that being said, the same ads are used on the website and if I ever hear John Hamm selling a Mercedes again I’ll scream.
Yes Sir! The Amateurs at The Masters. Bobby Jones made sure to honor the amateur game at The Masters and it was well represented by Bryson DeChambeau, Romain Langasque who made the cut and all the others too.
WTF! Redbud, #16 at Augusta has had a long and storied history. Jack’s ’86 shot, Davis’ & Tiger’s chip in but Sunday was ridiculous. But it never saw a day like Sunday, three aces in one day…WTF!
Yes Sir! Danny Willett could have walked into any bar in Augusta Ga. on Friday night and no one would have known him, not so anymore. He played very well on Sunday and deserves all the accolades and honors that go with winning The Masters.
WTF! We all knew that Jordan Spieth wasn’t as on his game as he was last year at Augusta. But he’s Jordan Spieth, and we knew he would find a way to get it done. But what happened at #12 proved that he is human. Yes, The Golden Child is human. And I bet he bounces back soon…and strong.
Yes Sir! Bryson DeChambeau is quite a golfer…and character. He thinks different from most golfers, heck from most people but he was a refreshing change and it will be interesting to watch his transition to the professional game.
WTF! Phil Mickelson missing the cut was heartbreaking to him and all his fans. But as I watched Phil and the leaderboard on Friday afternoon Spieth was backing up and doing all he could to raise the cut and Phil was doing all he could to miss it. Four bogeys and three doubles in his final round 79! He missed the cut by one shot…pathetic.
Yes Sir! All week were were treated to pieces and vignettes on Nicklaus’ miracle 1986 Masters win. Cheers to The Golf Channel, ESPN, CBS and The Masters.com who all had splendid tributes to Jack.
WTF! Rickie Fowler misses the cut! That’s no way to earn your spot in the “New Big 4”
Yes Sir! Cheers to Tom Watson and his final appearance at The Masters as a competitor. Tom’s had one of the greatest careers of all time. And he did earn his place in the original Big Four!
WTF! Four time major champion Ernie Els six putts the first green and plays himself out of contention on the first hole. Ouch. But to Ernie’s credit he played on and stood in there like the champ he is and answered every gut wrenching question.
Yes Sir! Augusta National’s Chairman Billy Payne continues to lead Augusta like no one has before. Under his reign The National has changed in many ways and Payne could be labeled a progressive for all he has done, but don’t say that too loud. Progressive isn’t a word normally used among those green jackets. And while Phil Mickelson always owns the podium in the press center, Payne has him beat. He’s a guy with all the answers, in fact he knows all the questions too. And he is as open as any of the leading organizations leaders. But if there’s a question he would rather not answer, he does it as diplomatically as anyone in the game.
WTF! Rory McIlroy did himself in with a third round 77 and looked to be searching for his game and his putter. Maybe he’s feeling the pressure of the career grand slam but he looked very out of sorts.
Yes Sir! Overall, this was an exciting week at Augusta. Maybe, Jordan’s fiasco will live on (until he wins here next year) but Willett’s story is a great one and with it being the 30th anniversary of Jack’s sixth green jacket I thoroughly enjoyed it. They say it’s “A tradition unlike any other” and this week it was.
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