Tigers, Birdies and Azaleas: A Masters Preview

by Martin Minschwaner
04/03/2008

Golf enthusiasts, rejoice.

The Masters Tournament begins Thursday, April 10 at Augusta National Golf Club. The tournament and its world-famous scenery serve as a notice to golfers everywhere that winter has passed and golf season has arrived.

As usual, Tiger Woods is the most talked about player coming into the tournament. Woods will be looking to capture his fifth Green Jacket. Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six.

But Woods has even bigger goals. Many in the golf community, including Woods, believe that he has a shot at capturing golf’s “Grand Slam.” The Grand Slam consists of winning golf’s four major tournaments - The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and P.G.A. Championship - in the same calendar year. In 1930, Bobby Jones accomplished the feat, and it hasn’t been done since. Woods has held all four titles at one time, aptly labeled the “Tiger Slam,” but has never achieved the true Grand Slam.

“My goal has always been to win every tournament,” Woods said on his website. “Winning it (the Grand Slam) is within reason.”

As usual, Woods rides an incredible hot streak into The Masters. He has won eight of his last 10 tournaments.

Though Tiger hogs the headlines, other capable golfers will play in The Masters who could win the tournament.

Last year’s champion Zach Johnson certainly can keep up with Woods. With a superb short game, clutch putting and unfailing accuracy, Johnson’s game sets up well for Augusta. It will be interesting to see how Johnson handles the pressure and the spotlight. Johnson came into the tournament last year as a relative unknown who garnered little attention and low expectations. His experience this year should be drastically different.

Former UGA golfer Ryuji Imada has been playing some of his best golf recently. Imada has two runner-ups, a top-20 and a top-five finish this season. If conditions are treacherous and scores remain high like last year’s Masters, Imada could be dangerous.

“When the conditions are tough, it favors my game,” Imada said in an interview with Golf World. “I’ve got a pretty good short game.”

Aside from Woods, Andres Romero and Geoff Ogilvy may be the two hottest players on tour. Romero and Ogilvy have won the last two tournaments, the Zurich Classic and CA Championship, respectively. Ogilvy held off Woods to win the CA Championship.

This weekend’s Shell Houston Open is the last chance for players to refine their game before Augusta.

Off the course, look out for some changes in the tournament’s TV coverage and ticket process.

ESPN will cover the first two days of the tournament, ending USA Network’s 27 years of Masters coverage. ESPN will also air the club’s Par 3 Tournament on Wednesday. The Par 3 Tournament has never been televised.

Children age 8-16 will be admitted free to the tournament this year for the first time. Each patron will be allowed to bring one child into the tournament.

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Comments [post a comment]

Great article! I have been fortunate enough to attend the Masters since I was a little girl. This article captures the anticipation I feel as I look forward to this year's tournament. Can't wait!

Posted By:

Maribeth McGreevy

04/04/2008

1:00 PM

Enjoyed the article, but feel a footnote is needed to clarify Bobby Jones's achievement. When he won the four most important tournaments in 1930 -- and it must be remembered that he was an amateur -- they were the US Open and Amateur, and the British Open and Amateur. Your grammar suggests that Jones won the same four tournaments, all for professionals, that today would be known as the Grand Slam. Interesting that Jones's good friend, the journalist Pop Keeler, borrowed the 'grand slam' term from bridge.

all the best,
J.D.
Edinburgh

Posted By:

J.D.

04/05/2008

05:25 AM

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