BRING ON THE AUG
FIVE MONTHS ON FROM DJ’S TOTAL DOMINANCE, GOLFING GREATS ARE SET FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT GLORY
TAKE TWO. Less than five months since Dustin Johnson slipped on the famous green jacket for the first time, the eyes of the sporting world are on Augusta again.
In nearly every way, things look just that little bit brighter. Vaccinations are being given across the country at great speed. Covid rates are falling. There’s a chance we might even squeeze in a summer holiday.
And the Masters really does look like the Masters this time. Gone are the short chilly days of late autumn, to be replaced by the warmth of early spring and long sunlit evenings lighting up this treasured piece of golfing real estate.
Fans are back too. Or patrons, as they’re called at this event. Maybe we’ll even have proper late-night Sunday viewing for the climax, for the first time in three years.
On the course, the action rarely disappoints, whatever the surrounding circumstances. America’s world No.1 Johnson is eyeing up a repeat success, and he’s well capable of becoming only the fifth ever back-to-back winner of the tournament.
But it will be a surprise if he or anyone else matches his winning mark of 20-under par, with much firmer and faster conditions expected.
World No.2 Justin Thomas has already won big this year, at the Players Championship, while No.3 Jon Rahm will be banking on a baby bounce following his recent arrival.
Many of the headlines will go to Bryson DeChambeau, he of the monster big hitting and manic intensity. Despite his awesome power, he has looked out of sorts at the last few Masters and will need a big improvement in the coming days.
Rory McIlroy has talked about starting a new journey, rather than a focus on this week. And he’s in the early days of working with coach Pete Cowen. But maybe the lowering of expectations will help him.
For all his frustrations lately, a victory this week will earn McIlroy a permanent place in golf’s hallowed hall of fame.
What about the others in this elite field? You’d be foolish to write off Patrick Reed, Masters winner in 2018. Or four-time major champion Brooks
Koepka, who usually peaks when it matters most. Or indeed Collin Morikawa, who has the maturity of a man a decade older than his 24 years. As for home hopes, if either Lee Westwood or Paul Casey (pictured) win in their forties, it will fall firmly into the fairytale category. It’s not beyond either of them, but doubts remain about their ability to close the deal when the chips are down.
It’s only right too to make reference to the biggest star of modern times, who won’t be at Augusta. Tiger Woods is recovering after surgery following his Los Angeles car crash.
If it doesn’t sound too trite, his presence will certainly be felt. The course is looking an absolute picture, naturally. Just looking at those vibrant colours will put a smile on our faces. Augusta treats itself far too seriously, but it’s definitely still the biggest star of the show.
Settle back and enjoy a rich feast. One way or another, the Masters never lets us down.