Augusta National GC, Georgia
Thursday April 6th – Sunday 9th 2017
by David Barwise
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| Photo: Australian Golf Tours |
It’s April, which can only mean one thing. The Masters is back, and we at The Golfing Guide couldn’t be more excited! Here, help yourself to some background music...
The Course
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| Photo: augusta.com |
Undoubtedly the best known – and perhaps the most beautiful - course in professional golf, Augusta National was the brain-child of golfing legend Bobby Jones. Some quick facts:
- Design based on St Andrews
- 7435 yards
- Built on a plant nursery, with each hole named after a tree or shrub growing on it
- Only 44 bunkers (10 holes are actually bunker-less!)
- Minimal rough
Amidst the maaaany famous parts of the course, there is one three hole stretch that stands out – Amen Corner. It may not seem too daunting over the course of the week but, as history tells us, holes 11, 12, and 13 play a big part in who does (and doesn’t) slip into the emerald blazer come Sunday afternoon. Just ask Arnold Palmer. Or Sam Snead. Or Jordan Spieth (but more on that in a minute).
The Field
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| Photo: Golf Digest |
At the time of writing, the field contains 18 previous winners, including reigning champion Danny Willett. The other major champs – Jimmy Walker, Henrik Stenson, and world number one Dustin Johnson – are all uninjured and set to attend. There will also be 20 golfers making their Masters debut, including Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood.
Only one invitee will not be playing, Tiger Woods, who continues to struggle with back problems.
Last Year
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| Photo: Dallas Sports News |
In one of the most hotly anticipated Masters in recent years, Jordan Spieth started formidably, hogging the first round lead by two-strokes, and holding steady in the blustery conditions that were to follow. The weather settled for final day’s play, with Spieth heading into the back nine with a five-shot lead and one arm seemingly back in his green jacket. But cracks began to appear and he dropped six shots over three holes – for those who are faint hearted, look away now. But as much as Spieth lost the tournament, Willett won it. The Yorkshireman saw his opportunity and shot a cool 67 to claim his maiden major victory.
The 2016 Masters also gave us the chance to say goodbye to two legends of the game: Tom Watson who retired from the event with two wins under his belt and Arnold Palmer who didn’t join in the honorary tee-shots but was able to relax and watch the ceremony one final time - “not driving this year, but forever”.
Spotlight
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| Photo: CLICKON Golf |
Sadly, the two biggest talking points this year are both negatives. Spieth will be looking to do everything he can to seize the victory he surely feels is owed him, though has also stated he simply wants the event to be over so the media circus surrounding his meltdown will go away. Woods’ withdrawal from the tournament was late enough for it to be fresh in people’s minds, once again meaning that a players absence from the event overshadows the players who *are* there.
Aside from the guesswork surrounding who Billy Payne will be shaking hands with on Sunday afternoon, you’re sure to hear three big questions at some point this weekend:
- No one has ever won the par-3 competition and gone on to win the Masters. Will anyone be able to lift the curse?
- Will Rory McIlroy be able to win the only major missing from his collection, completing his career grand slam?
- Only three people have won The Masters in their first appearance (including the first two years of the event). Is that going to change?
Prediction
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| Photo: bunkered |
With 3 wins in as many starts, it’s hard not to see Dustin Johnson sporting a green jacket at the end of the week. His form has been superb and apart from Jordan Spieth, I believe his recent Masters performances to be unrivalled (T4 and T6 in his last two starts).
But I also think the world number one has peaked too soon and won’t have enough in the tank to climb to the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
So who else could possibly challenge him? Well, more so than any other event I can think of, success at the Masters depends on course history. As I’ve already mentioned, the course was inspired by St Andrews. As suspect as this sounds, players who do well at the Old Course seem to perform at Augusta. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at the Open champions at St Andrew over the last 50 years:
- Zach Johnson (WON – The 2007 Masters)
- Louis Oosthuizen (2nd – The 2012 Masters)
- Tiger Woods (WON – The 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Masters)
- John Daly (3rd – The 1993 Masters)
- Nick Faldo (WON – The Masters 1989, 1990, 1996 Masters)
- Seve Ballesteros (WON – The 1980, 1983 Masters)
- Jack Nicklaus (WON – The 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986 Masters)
According to the OWGR, Louis Oosthuizen’s greatest performances have been on both of these courses. The South African has done enough to reach a playoff at Augusta before, hasn’t missed a cut since the blustery Royal Troon, and is ready in my opinion to be crowned Masters champion.
