A Tradition Unlike Any Other: The 2015 Masters

The Masters on CBS starts on Thursday morning.  Big news around the golf world as Tiger Woods, who after suffering from lingering issues due to his back, will tee it up on Thursday after spending the weekend before the tournament playing the course.

It also seems like this isn’t the same Tiger Woods we have come to know over the years.  He’s always been more of a private type of guy, didn’t like having his picture taken during the rounds, or interacting with the crowd.  This week we have a different and more humble Tiger.  If The Masters handed out crystal for hugging like they did for eagles on the course, Woods would be the clubhouse leader and running away from the field at an alarming rate. He has hugged everyone from former coach Scott Foley, to other players, to even a sports writer!  Allow me to catch myself before I fall over from fainting.

On the practice range he has been seen rocking ear buds listening to hip hop, and despite his best inner intent on avoiding it, he was caught dancing and having a good time.  Whoever this Tiger is the sports world might be inclined to tune in to see these lovable Tiger.

He played two days of nine-hole golf with his buddy and former Masters champion Mark O’Meara.  Apparently they have been estranged from each other the past couple of years.  Good to see that friendship rekindled.

He was jovial on Monday, and Tuesday during press conferences, hugging his two children (Charlie and Sam), and for the first time since 2004 will be participating in the Par 3 tournament and having Charlie and Sam caddy for him.  Again, who is this Tiger?  I’m going to say this is a Tiger that seems to have learned from past transgressions, opened up himself more, and is enjoying playing golf instead of treating it like a nine to five job.

Humble and jovial Tiger is a great Tiger to see.

“I’m trying to beat everybody out there,” he said. “That hasn’t changed … The only difference is that, yeah, I won the Masters when Jordan [Spieth] was still in diapers.

Let’s see if his glee on Monday and Tuesday plus the Par 3 today translates into a fun filled Tiger round on Thursday and Friday with a chance to play on the weekend.

Rory McIlroy is trying to join Woods in the Grand Slam of champions this week.  Having won the US Open, PGA, and the Open Championship he only needs a Masters green jacket to complete the slam.

The course where he intends to complete the Slam is his own house of horrors Augusta National.  It has been the one golf course that has made Rory look like your typical weekend hacker just trying to burn away the stresses of the work week.  His best finish is last year’s tie for eight (a pressure free Sunday 69).  Rory has put up a round of 77 or worse in the past five Masters.  In 2011 he pulled a “Norman” blowing a four shot lead on Sunday and signing a snowman (80) like only Greg Norman could do.  A hooked tee shot from the 10th was nestled up so close to a cabin that his next shot was almost like he was trimming down bushes for the members during the week.

That’s why this week he is going to have to flush his past demons on this course and try for a bad round of 74 instead of a 78 or 79.  He cannot win the tournament on Thursday or Friday, but if he puts up an 80 he can sure lose it.  Will be interesting to see if he joins Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen in the pantheon of Gland Slam champions of golf.

I haven’t even gotten to the defending champion Bubba Watson.

It must be nice to be the defending champion and all the headlines are about Tiger coming back, and Rory making the charge for the career Grand Slam. Bubba has won the tournament twice, and the course is set up for the left-handed bomber to take advantage of birdie holes, and “Amen Corner” (holes 11-13).

Heck, he even took a secret survey from ESPN.com results about which peer would they least help in a fight in stride.  With 22 1/2 votes out of 103 players he was followed by Patrick Reed who had 11.

“Here is the way I take it: I take it as I need to improve as a man,” Watson said during a news conference at Augusta National. “I take it with pride. I need to get better. And I think over my career, since my rookie season to now, I’ve gotten better.

“But obviously there’s more room for me to improve as a man. And so hopefully next year or the year after, it improves. It’s a challenge. It’s great. I’m glad that it came out and it’s going to help me improve.

“So if it’s a bad thing and people don’t like me, then I’ve got to improve and prove them wrong.”

What is even more remarkable is he answered the same question with himself.

“I answered that question, I put my name on there, because I’m not going to call out anybody; there’s nobody I dislike on tour,” he said. “I dislike them if they beat me, but I don’t dislike them as a person. So I put my name down there. So one of those names were me; I wrote it down myself.”

As for the question itself (“_____ is in a parking lot fight. You don’t stop to help him”) Watson said, “I’ve never been in a fight in my life, so if I was in a fight, it was my fault. I caused somebody to get angry. So yeah, I wouldn’t help myself, either.”

When Bubba was asked if the question got on his nerves he said “No, it helps me improve. So I don’t know which way I would go with that, but it helps me improve as a person.

“I’ve had some mess-ups on tour, and I think I’ve improved in those areas and I’m trying to get better. That’s all I can do. I’m glad people that call me out when they do, that’s the only way I can get better. If I don’t know about it, then I can’t improve.”

If that’s the only headline Bubba is having to deal with then he could have a big week ahead of him, and if he can keep his emotions in check look for him to be near the top of the leader board late Sunday evening.

Keep your eyes on: Phil Mickelson, Jordan Speith, Ricky Fowler, and even Adam Scott as he has went back to the long putter for the last time at Augusta (banned starting in 2016).

If you are betting, or have an office pool do not pick the Par 3 winner.  Whomever wins the Par 3 contest today has an albatross hanging around their neck.  Not one person who has won the Par 3 has ever gone on to win the tournament the same week.