19th Hole
Bill Murray’s “Cinderella Story” monologue was totally improvised and totally incorrect
Bill Murray’s entire iconic “Cinderella Story” monologue in Caddyshack was improvised. This you may have heard, but Chris Nashawaty, in another excerpt on Golf.com from his upcoming book on the making of the movie, sheds a little more light on the scene.
First, this is all that was in the script regarding Carl Spackler’s Masters moment.
SCENE 244: EXT. CLUBHOUSE (SAME DAY—LATE AFTERNOON)
The sky is beginning to darken. CARL, THE GREENSKEEPER, is absently lopping the heads off bedded tulips as he practices his golf swing with a grass whip.
After making the directorial decision to use mums instead of tulips (a good one, as they explode in a cloud of petals at impact), all Ramis asked Murray to do was to do some imaginary commentary, giving an example of how he encouraged himself when running by pretending he was announcing his performance at the Olympics.
The iconic improv wasn’t something refined over multiple takes, either: As Murray told Nashawaty, “Improvising about golf was easy for me. And it was fun.”
Nashawaty transcribes Spackler’s speech, and here’s the thing: it makes no sense logistically and the greenskeeper’s club selection and distances are immensely curious.
CARL SPACKLER:
What an incredible Cinderella story. This unknown comes outta nowhere to lead the pack at Augusta. He’s at the final hole. He’s about 455 yards away, he’s gonna hit about a two iron, I think … (Carl reels back and swats the head off of a mum. Petals fly like confetti) Boy, he got all of that. The crowd is standing on its feet here at Augusta. The normally reserved Augusta crowd is going wild … (he pauses as he notices some golfers coming) for this young Cinderella who’s come out of nowhere. He’s got about 350 yards left. He’s going to hit about a five iron, it looks like, don’t you think? (Carl pulls the grass whip back to demolish the next mum) He’s got a beautiful backswing … That’s … Oh! He got all of that one! He’s gotta be pleased with that. The crowd is just on its feet here. He’s a Cinderella boy, tears in his eyes, I guess, as he lines up this last shot. And he’s got about 195 yards left, and he’s got a, it looks like he’s got about an eight iron. This crowd has gone deadly silent. Cinderella story, out of nowhere, former greenskeeper, now about to become the Masters champion. (Carl reels back one last time and — Swat! — blasts the third mum to smithereens) It looks like a mirac . . . It’s in the hole! IT’S IN THE HOLE!!!
So, Carl Spackler was apparently playing the par-4 18th hole as a three-shotter? Augusta’s 18th hole was ~400 yards at the time Murray gave his monologue (it does play about 460 yards now).
If you’re following on shot tracker
- His first shot, a 2-iron, goes 105 yards
- His second shot, from about 350 yards, flies 155 yards (with a 5-iron)
- With an 8-iron, he holes out from 195
Makes perfect sense, right? Just another bit of comic absurdity from golf’s great comedy.
Here’s the scene.
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19th Hole
‘I really think it’s possible’ – 4-time major champ says Scottie Scheffler could win the Grand Slam in 2024
During the Sky Sports commentary after the PLAYERS Championship, analyst and golf legend Laura Davies said she believes Scottie Scheffler could win the grand slam this year.
“He’s on a different level,” said the four-time major champion.
“As soon as he started holing those putts at Bay Hill the rest of the field must have thought ‘oh we’re in a bit of trouble here’ because they know statistically, he’s No.1 in every category apart from the putting. But he now looks so relaxed over his putts.”
In his last two events, Scheffler has gained an average of .87 Strokes Gained: Putting on the field, which is more than enough for him to be absolutely dominant.
“The fact he won this week with an injury in the third round, and it was uncomfortable for him, but it was really nice to see on Sunday because he did feel more comfortable that he turned it into an 8-under 64, and the others have got their hands full now,” Davies added.
“Going forward, I don’t think it’s a long shot to say he’s going to win at least two of the four majors this season, maybe even three, maybe even the Grand Slam.
“I really think it’s possible.”
It would be an amazing feat, but if anyone can do it this season, it’s Scottie Scheffler.
More from the 19th Hole
- Rory McIlroy urges Ryder Cup eligibility rules to be re-written following Rahm’s LIV move
- Report: Former World Number 1 not joining LIV despite speculation
- Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC side and prominent golf journalist trade insults over latest LIV trade
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19th Hole
Rory McIlroy takes shot at Greg Norman while discussing Monday’s Saudi PIF meeting
Rory McIlroy has recently changed his tune on both LIV and the Saudi Arabian PIF, but according to recent comments, he still isn’t a big fan of LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman.
While speaking to the media after his final round of the PLAYERS Championship, McIlroy expressed optimism for PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan’s intentions in the game of golf.
“They’re a sovereign wealth fund. They want to park money for decades and not worry about it,” McIlroy said of the PIF.
“They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA Tour is definitely one of those, especially if they’re looking to invest in sport in some way.I have spent time with Yasir. I think the people who have represented him in LIV have done him a disservice, so Norman and those guys.”
Reportedly, a meeting will be taking place in Ponte Vedra today with the PGA Tour Board of Directors and the PIF. According to Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, that meeting will include Tiger Woods.
“I think it should have happened months ago, so I am glad it’s happening,” Rory said.
“Hopefully that progresses conversations and gets us closer to a solution.”
More from the 19th Hole
- Rory McIlroy urges Ryder Cup eligibility rules to be re-written following Rahm’s LIV move
- Report: Former World Number 1 not joining LIV despite speculation
- Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC side and prominent golf journalist trade insults over latest LIV trade
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19th Hole
Scottie Scheffler had an interesting response when asked how he ‘quiets the noise’ following Players victory
After Scottie Scheffler’s incredibly impressive victory at the PLAYERS Championship, he spoke on camera about his approach.
Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee asked the world number one “how do you quiet the noise?”
Scheffler replied, “I just try to do my best to stay in my own little world. You know, I don’t have social media, I spend most of my time on Apple News.”
Scheffler added that he clicks “not for me” when golf articles come up to ensure that he doesn’t see anything regarding golf news.
“I really just do my best to stay out of reading things that are either good or bad about myself. If I’m reading bad things about myself, it’ll frustrate me. If I read good things about myself, my head will get too big. So, I really do my best to stay out of the fray and continue to put in the work”.
.@THEPLAYERS champion Scottie Scheffler outlines his secret to remaining focused and blocking out the noise. ?? #THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/6zWtKMvw99
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 18, 2024
Scheffler’s approach has clearly been a good one, as he’s playing some of the best golf of any professional in recent memory.
More from the 19th Hole
- Rory McIlroy urges Ryder Cup eligibility rules to be re-written following Rahm’s LIV move
- Report: Former World Number 1 not joining LIV despite speculation
- Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC side and prominent golf journalist trade insults over latest LIV trade
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