The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Woods right back among Masters contenders
Tiger among long list of contenders at Augusta
Describing the 82nd Masters as the most eagerly anticipated in tournament history overlooks the events of 17 years ago when golfing history would be made at Augusta National.
But there is no denying the common denominator between the two has added a palpable extra dimension to the build-up to the year’s first major championship which has rarely been seen in recent times.
Back in 2001, Tiger Woods was attempting to become the first player to hold all four major titles at the same time following victories in the US Open, Open Championship and US PGA the previous year.
It was a phenomenal feat Woods would achieve in style, with a 16-underpar total – the fourth best in Masters history at the time – giving him a twoshot victory over David Duval and completing what was dubbed the “Tiger Slam”.
Seventeen years on, Woods returns to Augusta as a self-proclaimed “walking miracle” following spinal fusion surgery last April, shortly after he reportedly told Jack Nicklaus “I’m done” after struggling to sit through the champions dinner due to the pain from his back shooting down his leg.
The 42-year-old’s form on the PGA Tour this season has made him a genuine contender for a fifth Masters win and a first major title since 2008, prompting suggestions that such a result would be the greatest sporting comeback of all time.
Woods himself introduced a welcome sense of perspective when he highlighted the story of Ben Hogan, who survived a near-fatal car crash in 1949 and went on to win all three of the majors he played in 1953, including his sole appearance in the Open Championship, which clashed with the US PGA.
But whether Sergio Garcia slips the famous green jacket onto Woods’ shoulders or anyone else’s, all the signs point to a classic contest which elicits the final-round roars which reverberate around the course on Sunday.
Three-time champion Phil Mickelson is five years older than Woods and until recently was also without a victory since 2013, but beating Justin Thomas in a play-off for the WGC-Mexico Championship makes the left-hander a genuine candidate to surpass Nicklaus as the oldest Masters winner.
Rory McIlroy’s own winning drought was only 18 months but the manner in which it ended, with a final round of 64 to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, catapulted the Northern Irishman back to the top of the betting market.
McIlroy’s first three attempts to become the sixth player to complete the career grand slam have resulted in finishes of fourth, 10th and seventh, although it is noticeable that his best chance to win also remains his worst memory of Augusta, namely squandering a four-shot lead in 2011 with a finalround collapse.
World No 1 Dustin Johnson was a hot favourite 12 months ago on the back of three straight wins, only to injure his back in a fall at his rental home and withdraw just minutes before his first round tee time.
And the former US Open champion could surrender top spot in the rankings to Thomas if the US PGA champion makes it successive major victories.
With so many other storylines around, including a resurgent Bubba Watson seeking a third green jacket, Garcia has been somewhat overlooked as he tries to emulate Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods as the only back-to-back Masters champions, with the birth of his first child – a daughter named Azalea after Augusta’s 13th hole – a welcome distraction.
“This is my first time defending a major and a green jacket, so it’s new to me,” Garcia said. “But no matter what, this week is going to be amazing.
“And the most beautiful thing about it is that I get to play the Masters until I can’t walk. So that’s pretty cool.”
Ian Poulter, who secured the last place in the field at Augusta National by virtue of his dramatic victory in the Shell Houston Open on Sunday, admits he is underprepared for his 13th Masters appearance.
Poulter made a birdie on the 72nd hole before beating Beau Hossler in a play-off and then spent a day at home in Orlando before travelling to Augusta on Tuesday, where he was the 85th player in the 87-man field to officially register.
Poulter, who has missed just one cut in his previous 12 Masters starts, said: “Thirteen is an unlucky number but I don’t feel it is after I’ve made it in.
“I’m the least prepared as I’ve ever been but I need to stay fresh because I know this golf course very well.
“I’ve had success here, obviously not with the green jacket, but I’ve had success shooting 67, 67 over a weekend (to finish sixth in 2015), and I’ve got off to fast starts.
“I know I can play this golf course so it’s really about me managing my energy levels this week, staying patient and enjoying it for what it is.
“Last week I wasn’t supposed to be here and this week I am so I really need to enjoy what it means to get back here to play and see how we go.”
Masters chairman Fred Ridley yesterday announced the creation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.
The tournament will see the best 72 amateur players in the world compete at Augusta next year in the week before the Masters.
Ridley told a pre-tournament press conference: “The focus on amateur golf is consistent with our history and our cofounder Bobby Jones and we feel that’s the way we can make the greatest impact in growing the game.”
The field for the 54-hole strokeplay tournament will be determined by the winners of various worldwide events and the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The first two rounds will take place at Champions Retreat in Augusta, with the leading 30 players then contesting the final round at Augusta National on April 6.