News
Getting Ready for the Masters
The calender says Spring arrived a couple of weeks ago. The weather man insists Winter is dead. Two snowstorms and a lot of cold windy weather leave me unconvinced, until I see the ads for the Masters on CBS. Now I believe the golf season is officially beginning in southern Wisconsin. Ever since I was a wee whippersnapper in the late 50’s the Masters has captured my fancy. Every April I’d watch the final four holes on television (that’s all they showed back just after dirt was invented) and pester my parents that I wanted a set of golf clubs. In the 50 some years since those days I’ve watched a lot of Master’s tournaments, taking away a sense of renewal, an anticipation of the coming season and the promise that all will be right in my universe. It matters not that my game may still suck, what matters at this time of year is that I will be able to play, to walk the course chasing a little white ball. Life at these times is great, and it all starts this week.
The calender says Spring arrived a couple of weeks ago. The weather man insists Winter is dead. Two snowstorms and a lot of cold windy weather leave me unconvinced, until I see the ads for the Masters on CBS. Now I believe the golf season is officially beginning in southern Wisconsin. Ever since I was a wee whippersnapper in the late 50’s the Masters has captured my fancy. Every April I’d watch the final four holes on television (that’s all they showed back just after dirt was invented) and pester my parents that I wanted a set of golf clubs. In the 50 some years since those days I’ve watched a lot of Master’s tournaments, taking away a sense of renewal, an anticipation of the coming season and the promise that all will be right in my universe. It matters not that my game may still suck, what matters at this time of year is that I will be able to play, to walk the course chasing a little white ball. Life at these times is great, and it all starts this week.
I’ve read a lot about what the members of Augusta National should do to bring the roars back to the Master’s. When Sunday afternoon gets to the back nine and someone is charging up the leaderboard. Gary Player in 1978 beginning the day seven shots back, birdieing seven of the last ten holes, shooting a 30 on the back for a 64 and a one shot victory. Jack NIcklaus in 1986 going eagle birdie birdie from the 15th thru the 17th to post his own back nine 30. We haven’t seen anything close to those fireworks since 2001 when David Duval shot 67 and Tiger Woods a 68 in the final round.
A lot of that has to do with Hootie Johnsonification of the course in response to Mr. Woods record setting performance in 1997. Mr. Johnson added rough, trees, trees, a few more trees, new tee boxes for more length in an effort to protect par. The changes seemed to have worked, but gone too is the fun of watching someone charge up the leaderboard on any given day. I’ve heard that the poobahs of Augusta have begun de-Hootieing the course. I hope so. I don’t want to watch the US Open in April. I agree with the USGA’s Mike Davis (the course setup guy for the US Open) when he says they need to get rid of the rough. A golf ball can run a lot of strange places without long grass to slow it down. And from strange places great things can happen. Remember Seve Ballesteros?
I think they could slow the greens some as well, if the goal of the changes were to have the shot value return to what it was intended, it makes no sense to me to have the greens running ridiculously fast. Make it so the green will hold a six iron if players need to hit a six iron please. I don’t know about you but I got tired of watching layups on holes 13 and 15. Let’s also try and make things a little shorter in case it’s cold, windy, and wet. 75 should not be the winner’s score on Sunday, please.
I know even without removing some of Mr. Hootie’s changes I’ll still be taking vacation at the end of the week to watch play. I love this tournament, and will continue my love affair as long as Spring follows Winter.
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News
Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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