This was a Masters unlike any other for Tiger Woods. Five months after driving into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving night of 2009, a single-car crash that led to a torrent of revelations of a sordid private life full of extramarital affairs that …
This was a Masters unlike any other for Tiger Woods.
Five months after driving into a fire hydrant Thanksgiving night of 2009, a single-car crash that led to a torrent of revelations of a sordid private life full of extramarital affairs that shattered his once-pristine image, damaged his Madison Avenue charm and ultimately cost him his marriage, Woods returned to the game at the 2010 Masters.
The four-time winner of the green jacket was warmly embraced by the patrons throughout an 18-hole practice round Monday with Fred Couples.
Later in the day, he looked far more comfortable and at ease in a 35-minute meeting with the media in a packed press conference room than he did Feb. 19 when he appeared in public for the first time since the accident and read a 13-minute prepared statement in a televised address near PGA Tour headquarters.
“What I’ve done over the past years has been just terrible to my family,” Woods said at Augusta National. “And the fact I won golf tournaments I think is irrelevant. It’s the pain and the damage that I’ve caused my wife, my mom, my wife’s family and my kids. Going forward, I am going to have to explain all this to them. That’s my responsibility. I did it. And I take full responsibility for it.”
While he spoke on a variety of subjects, he provided scant details of the car accident. And he emphasized he was ready to win a fifth green jacket.
Despite not having played since winning the Australian Masters the previous November, Woods quickly got in the mix to do just that with a 68, marking the only time he’s ever broken 70 in the first round in the Masters.
“It felt really good just to get out there and get into the rhythm of the round, and just kind of go about my business,” Woods said.
Woods stayed on the first page of the leaderboard with consecutive rounds of 70 and stood four shots out of the lead set by Lee Westwood with 18 holes to play. One shot behind Westwood was Phil Mickelson, who nearly made three consecutive eagles on the back nine but settled for an eagle-3 at 13, an eagle-2 on 14 and a tap-in birdie-4 on the 15th.
On Sunday, Woods, playing with K.J. Choi for the fourth consecutive day, bogeyed three of his first five holes and despite eagles on seven and 15 and four birdies in his last 11 holes, he never seriously threatened on the back nine. A 69 left him at 11-under 277 and five shots behind Mickelson, who closed with a 67 to win his third Masters. Mickelson finished three clear of runner-up Westwood.
“I finished fourth,” Woods said. “Not what I wanted. I wanted to win this tournament. As the week wore on I kept hitting the ball worse. I hit it better on Friday, but after that it was not very good.
“I entered this event and I only enter events to win and I didn’t get it done. I didn’t hit the ball good enough and I made too many mistakes around the greens.”
Mickelson, who delivered one of the game’s most memorable shots when he hit a 6-iron off pine straw from 205 yards to four feet on the 13th hole in the final round, had not won heading to Augusta, Georgia. But he ended this Masters in a tearful embrace with his wife, Amy, who was battling breast cancer. His mother, Mary, also was battling breast. At a special place, he provided a special victory.
“I’m in love with this place,” Mickelson said. “It just brings out the best in me. I love Sunday at Augusta. Back in the ’90s, it was the most nerve-racking day. Still is, but I’ve just come to love and cherish it, and to play some of my best golf this week as well as today just feels incredible.”
This is the 16th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
During the Masters, Augusta National has several downhill putts that stump the pros. Steve DiMeglio asks players what they are.
Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.
Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.
What is the scariest downhill putt during the Masters?
“Oddly enough, I’ve always thought, although it’s not one of the fastest greens, but it was so difficult to make a putt on 10 going downhill because there was so much break in them.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
“On No. 1, the front-left pin. It’s brutal. Even if you’re pin-high right, it’s downhill, down-grain, and it’s just a pin that gets the heart pumping.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“Fifteen above the hole gets about as wicked as any putt can be. And you get on the wrong side of the hole on one, to those left pins, right out of the gate, and you’re just, ‘Oh, boy, here we go.’ And they’re normally for par, too.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
“Quite a few of them. But I would say on the sixth hole when the pin is back left and you push in onto the top-right tier, because there’s a chance you’re putting it down to the front part of the green.” – Luke Donald
“The ones on nine and 15, when you’re above the hole, are so scary. They are almost impossible to stop.” – Brandt Snedeker
“On a makeable, 10-, 15-foot putt, I would say at No. 10, it gets quite scary down there. To a lot of locations on that hole.” – 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia
“Honestly, the putt to the front-left pin on the first hole. Your nerves are jangling out of the gates, and that front-left pin is nothing but all kinds of difficult to deal with. The first green is one of the hardest on the golf course and it’s difficult to deal with because you’ve got the nerves and the adrenaline to deal with and you haven’t calmed down yet.” – 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott
“All of them.” – 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk putts on the 16th green during the second round of the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
“I’d say all of them.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson
“I’d say No. 9, from the back of the green to the front of the green. Really tough, really scary.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer
“No. 16, above the hole to any of the bottom pins, is the fastest putt on the course.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson
“I would say No. 15, if you are on the right side of the green with the pin up front on the left. It’s like a 5-inch backswing for a 30-yard putt.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle
“Literally, any of them. All the ones where you have to play outside the hole and you have to trust that it’s going to move. Especially the ones from 4-, 5-, 6-feet where you have to play a cup or more outside the hole. And you’re always thinking about where the ball could go. Sometimes you just can’t stop it until it’s four or five feet past the hole.” – Rickie Fowler
“There all pretty scary. But I’ll go with the front-left pin on 13 when you’re above the whole. Remember when Tiger Woods putted it into the water. That can be a glassy, scary one.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell
“Ooh. If you are right of the pin on 16, on the top tier, and the pin is on the bottom tier, like I did on Sunday last year, I don’t know how you can hit it soft enough and get the break correct. It almost looks impossible to me.” – Kevin Kisner
Rory McIlroy walks off the 13th green during a practice round for the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Pjhoto by Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports
“Oh, geez. So many. But probably pin-high on 13 when the pin is on the bottom shelf, because you can literally putt it into Rae’s Creek.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy
“Long left to a front-right or front-left pin on one is really, really fast.” – Bill Haas
“Let me run through the holes. Probably 15. If you’re anywhere at the top of the green and you have to putt down to the front-left pin, that is scary. It can go into the water.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“Front left pin on the first. You get anywhere above it, that’s the scariest putt on the golf course. It’s the first hole of the day and you don’t know how fast the greens are.” – Paul Casey
“Well, all of them. But at one, if you get above the hole, you’re worrying about putting it off the green. And you’re just trying to get off to a good start and get comfortable on those greens. So if you get above the hole on one, that’s not how you want to start the day.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland
“I would say on hole No. 6 when the pin is top-right and you’re above the hole. You can literally putt the ball off the green in a heartbeat.” – 1998 Masters champion Mark O’Meara
“The first hole to the front-left pin. Anything from the middle to the back of the green really scares me. It could go off to the right, off to the left. That’s an under-the-radar one where the putt can so easily get away from you.” – Matt Kuchar
“Above the hole on No. 6 when the pin is top-right. If you hit it two feet too far, you’re 30 yards off the front of the green.” – Keith Mitchell
“No. 3, the Sunday pin on the left. In the back of your head you’re thinking you can so easily putt the ball off the green.” – Nick Watney
“Ninth hole. That front flag. In a second you can knock it off the green and it will go 40, 50 yards.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley
“If you get above the hole on the first hole, that’s sneaky quick. Some of the other ones, like going to the front-right on 14, you know that one’s really quick so you inherently just get it started. But on the first hole, it’s the scariest one because there’s way more pitch than you think and you’re just starting your round.” – Patrick Cantlay
“There’s lots of them.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel
“That’s a great question. I’d go No. 9, pin up front-left. When you have that putt from six feet, it’s scary as heck. And when you have to putt from 40, 50 feet, down the tiers, that’s when you really get nervous, because you know you can easily go off the green.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“There’s one just about every hole. I have to think about that one. I’d have to go with No. 9 when you’re above the hole. You can putt it off the green just like that.” – Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen
“Let me think about that. Ooh, I got one. On 16, if you’re on the top shelf and the pin is on the other tier. The chances of an amateur getting a two-putt is 3 percent. For a Tour pro, you’re going to have a 7-, 8-footer coming back.” – Kevin Na
“There are so many. I would say some of the scariest putts are at nine and 10 when you get above the hole. On 10, you can have 25 feet from the middle of the green to the front-right pin and it has 10 or 12 feet of break in it. It’s lightning quick.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“No. 15, front-right pin, when the wind is blowing back up the fairway. If you hit it a touch too hard, and it goes three feet by and the wind is blowing, you start praying it doesn’t go into the water.” – Billy Horschel
“Hmm. That’s a good one. Above the hole on 2 to the left pin. If you have a four-footer there and you don’t hit it into the hole, you have at least double that coming back.” – Tony Finau
“Ooh. That’s a good one. You can find one on every hole. Well, I’d have to say if you ended up on the top of No. 6 and the pin was in the front. But I mean, they are all scary. The one on No. 9, when you’re above the hole and you have to putt the ball into the fringe. So, so, so many scary ones there.” – Patton Kizzire
Justin Rose lines up a putt on the ninth green during the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
“Mine definitely was in 2003. I was on the wrong tier to the front-right pin on No. 9 and I had to two-putt to make the cut. I was sweating. I rolled it down there with one of the best lag putts I’ve ever hit and it still went four feet by. But I wiggled it in and made the cut.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
“No. 9 from the top shelf when the pin is on the bottom shelf. It has your full attention, I promise. You try so hard not to think of what could go wrong, but you can’t get that out of your mind.” – Charles Howell III
Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
Tiger Woods was paired with Phil Mickelson and the two lit up Augusta National’s hallowed pastures on a Sunday Masters to remember.
After reconstructive surgery repaired his left knee following his one-legged victory in the 2008 U.S. Open, where he won with torn ligaments in said knee and two fractures in the same leg, Tiger Woods spent the next seven weeks on the mend.
Following what he called “months upon months” of rehab, Woods returned to the PGA Tour at the 2009 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play and tied for 17th. He tied for ninth in his next start at the WGC-CA Championship.
Then he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a 72nd-hole birdie from 15 feet.
The golf world was whole again.
But could Woods really win the Masters after just three starts in nine months? On an Augusta National golf course that now was 7,435 exacting yards long?
“Always,” Woods said two days before the Masters when asked if he expected to win despite his few reps.
His win at Arnie’s place, however, solidified his way of thinking and altered the thought of his colleagues.
“I really wanted to get into contention and feel the rush again on the back nine,” he said of his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I was not in it at Doral (CA Championship); I was on the periphery. I played my way into a backdoor top-10, so I was not really in it. This past week at Bay Hill was great, to feel that, and just to see how my body would react again.
“It’s been a while, and a lot of uncertainty over the months upon months of rehab, and it felt great to hit shots. Like the shot I hit on 18, that felt great, to be able to take something off that little 7-iron and be able to control the flight like that.
“That’s something that I’ve been missing.”
What was missing for Woods when the Masters teed off was a good start. Yes, he shot 70 in the first round but stood five back, then shot 72 and was seven back after 36. Another 70 in Saturday’s third round left him seven shots out of the lead.
Tiger Woods, caddie Steve Williams, Phil Mickelson and caddie Jim “Bones” MacKay during the final round of the 2009 Masters. Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
And then, Secretariat and Man o’ War showed up for Sunday’s final round. Woods was paired with Phil Mickelson – you decide who was Secretariat and who was Man o’ War – and the two lit up Augusta National’s hallowed pastures on a Sunday Masters to remember.
First it was Mickelson who ignited roars with birdies on 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 to get in the mix. Then Woods came firing down the lane with an eagle at 8 and then birdies at 13, 15 and 16.
But funny things happen on the back nine on a Sunday at the Masters. Mickelson was one shot out of the lead on the 12th tee before he rinsed his tee shot in Rae’s Creek. Woods was within two on the 17th tee but went bogey-bogey.
Mickelson finished fifth and Woods tied for sixth. In hindsight, Woods needs more reps.
Kenny Perry needed two pars. Perry, who shared the lead after 54 holes with Angel Cabrera, was two shots clear with two holes to play but, like Woods, went bogey-bogey. Perry was joined by Cabrera and Chad Campbell in a playoff that Cabrera won with a par on the second extra hole. It was Cabrera’s second major title, coming two years after he held off Woods and Jim Furyk by one shot in the U.S. Open at Oakmont.
This is the 15th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
Masters tickets are coveted items and the pros know how difficult it is to gain access to Augusta National in April.
Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.
Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.
How many ticket requests do you receive and how difficult is it to handle the allotment?
“I use this analogy a lot. My dad was an attorney so I asked him if he had a really big case and spent a lot of hours in the office, did you ever take me to the office? No, that’s a terrible idea, he said. Well, I told him the Masters is my really big case for me. It can be distracting with so many people there. I have no problem with people coming but don’t expect me to hang out. Dealing with all the people you would love to bring was so hard those first two years. It’s a stressful week. I’ll give out the tickets, but they know I get in my own world there.” – Brandt Snedeker
“Too many.” – Patton Kizzire
“You get eight and you can buy four more. People do know it’s the hardest ticket to get, so immediate family is a given. And then close friends know they can’t go every year, so you work out a little bit of a rotation. They know we have a limited amount. Still tough.” – Rickie Fowler
“More than I can count and more than I can get.” – Charles Howell III
“It could not have been any easier, because we just say no.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson
Don Taylor, of Atlanta, wears a ticket from the first Masters he attended in 1951 during the 2012 Masters Tournament. Photo by Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
“Ask Sean (O’Flaherty, his agent). I separate myself from it.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy
“It’s always difficult, no matter what. At the same time, that’s what makes it so special. You can’t give away as many as you want. And you know how special a ticket to the Masters is, and you know the people that get them appreciate them so much.” – 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed
“I have a decent group of people around me that don’t bombard me.” – Billy Horschel
“It’s not difficult. They only give you a certain amount and that’s it. I use them for family and that’s it.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson
“A lot. It’s hard to handle. I try to get it done well ahead of time. We just can’t get a lot of them. Family gets first priority and then I let everyone else hash it out.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland
“I’ve said no to people for so long now that I get less requests. Still, it’s not easy to deal with.” – 2103 Masters champion Adam Scott
“It hasn’t been difficult because you have a hard stop. You can’t go and get anymore.” – 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth
Patrons rush to get positions as the gates open for the final round of the 2007 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by USA TODAY Sports
“It’s tough to give them out. But your friends know we have a limited amount, but it’s still so tough.” – 2011 PGA champion Keegan Bradley
“That’s a tough one. I don’t make any commitments until it’s closer to the tournament because people ask me a year ahead of time and I forget. But it’s tough to deal with.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel
“Now that I’m in 12, 13 years of playing there, it’s less difficult. But those first few years your friends came out of the woodwork.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
“More than I get. It’s pretty tough giving out the tickets. Especially my first year, because there are so many people who were along for the ride as far as supporting you. You want to take everybody with you. It’s extremely hard to take care of. I have sort of a waiting list going.” – Tony Finau
“Oh, man. It’s hard. You get a certain amount of tickets. I delegate the whole thing to my wife, so I don’t have to get involved. She does the hard work. Right around the time the new year comes the requests start to ramp up.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“My wife does it. You get what you get, so it’s not easy.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“Now that it’s been about five Masters in a row, it’s become a little less distracting. The first year I had a lot of requests but now everybody knows who’s getting tickets and that’s about it.” – Kevin Kisner
“Less than I used to. I’ve said no enough that people realize I can’t get them a ticket.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson
A patron displays a collection of entry tickets for the Masters on his hate during the 1999 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by USA TODAY Sports
“It varies. The last year was probably the most difficult as far as the most requests. But you get a limited number and that’s what you get and I think that’s great. Otherwise it would be really difficult.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“You get quite a few. I have a list of who gets what and there isn’t enough paper for a list that long. I try to get my wife to take care of it or someone. It’s not easy.” – Luke Donald
“Used to be more. It just got to the point where I had to tell so many people I just couldn’t help them.” – Matt Kuchar
“I think my family and friends were very respectful my first year and that was it. I’ve heard stories, but it wasn’t bad for me.” – Keith Mitchell
Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
Tiger Woods was even-money to win the 2008 Masters, his confidence at such a peak he talked boldly of winning the calendar Grand Slam.
Tiger Woods was on another heater heading into the 2008 Masters.
A white-hot heater, if you will, a scorched-golf-earth flame that began in 2007 and was burning oh-so bright en route to Augusta National. Woods won four of his last five events in 2007 and four of his first five in 2008. In the two he didn’t win he finished fifth and in a tie for second.
The blistering streak included six consecutive wins and victories in the 2007 PGA Championship, the 2007 Tour Championship where he won the inaugural FedExCup, and the 2008 World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play.
He was even-money to win the Masters. With his confidence at such a peak he talked boldly ahead of the Masters of winning the calendar Grand Slam. He had the chops to back such talk up – had won 13 majors, had won four consecutive majors for the Tiger Slam, and loved all four venues hosting the majors.
His putter, however, was tone deaf that week. He needed 120 putts to complete four rounds – tied for 29th in the field – and missed far too many putts inside 6 feet to truly put on a good run.
Rounds of 72-71-68 placed his fifth through 54 holes but six shots behind leader Trevor Immelman. While Woods did can a 70-footer for birdie on the 11th in the final round, he missed a four-footer for par on the fourth, a four-footer for birdie on the 13th and another shorty on the 14th where he three-putted for bogey.
“I just didn’t quite have it this week,” Woods said. “I didn’t make the putts I needed to make this entire week. I had the speed, just didn’t get the line right. You have good weeks and have bad weeks. Certainly, this was not one of my best.”
As for his pre-tournament Grand Slam proclamation, he said, “I learned my lesson there with the press. I’m not going to say anything (in the future).”
As for his immediate future, two days after the Master he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage. Throughout the 2008 Masters, Woods didn’t let on that his knee was a hinderance. Only later did we find out he likely was playing with torn ligaments.
A month after the Masters, doctors advised him to skip the U.S. Open. Woods didn’t listen and won the U.S. Open with torn ligaments and two stress fractures in his left tibia. Eight days after winning the national championship, he had reconstructive surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee and he missed the rest of the season.
Trevor Immelman is congratulated by Brandt Snedeker as they make their way to the 18th green at the 2008 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club. Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
The Masters champion that year also dealt with surgery. Immelman, who went wire-to-wire to win his green jacket, had surgery in December 2007 to remove what turned out to be a noncancerous tumor on his diaphragm. He missed the cut in four of his first eight starts in 2008, with a best finish being a tie for 40th.
But rounds of 68-68-69 gave him a two-shot lead heading into the final round.
Winds gusts reaching 30 mph greeted golfers on Sunday and the average score was 74.67. Only four players broke par. After Brandt Snedeker eagled the second to grab a share of the lead, Immelman took command once again around the turn and despite a double-bogey on the 16th, he cruised to a three-shot win.
Not that he cared, but Immelman’s 75 in the final round tied the record for the highest final-round score by a winner.
“This has probably been the ultimate roller coaster ride, and I hate roller coasters,” Immelman said. “And here I am, after missing the cut last week (in the Houston Open), the Masters champion. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
Made extra special because the toppled Woods.
“I don’t think it is ever easy to win a major in any era. But you know, I’m playing in the Tiger Woods era,” he said. “The guy boggles my mind. I’m an avid sports watcher, and I study top sportsmen. This guy is frightening in what he gets done and how he gets it done and the ease with which he gets it done.”
This is the 14th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
Cell phones are supposed to be banned at Augusta National for everyone, but some pros spill the beans of whether they’ve ever broken the rule.
Rare is the golfer who doesn’t light up when talking about Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters. The spiritual setting that warms the heart, the singular tournament that stirs the senses. The explosion of colors, the anticipation of a Sunday charge. A 12th hole that basks in beauty while serving as a devilish conquest, a green jacket that triggers dreams and lives on forever.
The gathering every April among the Georgia pines is matchless, from Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the Drive, Chip and Putt competition. While we won’t be seeing any of these events in the coming days due to the coronavirus pandemic, we think you’ll still be interested in reading about Masters traditions, the iconic holes at Augusta National and your favorite golfers who would have been in the field this month.
Golfweek surveyed 39 golfers, including 14 winners of the green jacket and 24 major champions in all, to get their views on certain features of Augusta National and the Masters. From putting to eating to predicting to offering their architectural viewpoints, we’ll roll out their takes on a variety of topics in the next 10 days.
Have you ever taken your phone onto the golf course?
“Yes. I used it on purpose on the 14th hole because I thought I broke my 9-iron on Wednesday underneath the grip. So I called the reps. One of the green jackets came up to me and said, ‘Hey, best not use your cell phone anymore.’ I knew the rule but the manufacturers leave on Wednesday and if I don’t get this done, I’m done. Desperate measures.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“Yes, but it’s always on silent. I swear. And if I ever take it out, it’s like taking drugs out of your pocket, or something like that. I’m kidding. I don’t have drugs, but you know what I mean.” – Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy
“Not that often. And it’s never gone off. I remember one of my first Masters I was with Ian Poulter and we were posting a few pictures on Twitter and stuff and someone came out and told us to cease and desist.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell
Brooks Koepka on his phone on the 11th hole during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. (Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
“Yes. It was for Trackman purposes. We always keep it quiet.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson
“Yes, and it’s always on silent.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“My phone’s never gone off. And I’ve done some social media posts while I was on the golf course during practice rounds and people from Augusta National came to me and said, ‘Mr. Na, I’m sure your fans loved it, but we would appreciate it if you waited until after the round.’ How in the world did they know I posted photos?” – Kevin Na
“It’s never gone off at Augusta. No way. And it never will.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
“My phone has always been in my bag on the golf course but it has never, ever been out of my bag on the golf course. I’ve never had an issue there and I plan on keeping it that way.” – Bill Haas
“I take my phone with me everywhere. It always goes off, but I’m not an old person so I never have it on ring. And it has never, ever made a ring sound at Augusta National.” – Kevin Kisner
“My phone goes onto the golf course all the time. It just stays in my golf bag and it’s definitely on silent.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
Sergio Garcia uses his phone as he walks up the 2nd fairway during a practice round for the 2013 Masters. Photo by Jack Gruber/USA TODAY Sports
“No comment.” – Patton Kizzire
“It’s never rang.” – 2019 U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland
“Players always have their phones with them but it’s always on silent. I don’t ever want to hear my phone go off.” – Rickie Fowler
“It’s always in my bag. But it’s always turned off.” – Billy Horschel
“No. I’ve been so scared walking through the gate I’ve never come close to taking my phone onto the course. And I never, ever, ever will.” – Charles Howell III
Editor’s note: Check back each day for another Masters Survey.
On Easter Sunday in 2007, Zach Johnson didn’t have much faith in his chances to win the Masters, not with Tiger Woods in the last group.
On Easter Sunday in 2007, Zach Johnson, a regular at the PGA Tour’s Bible study groups, didn’t have much faith in his chances to win the Masters.
Not with the almighty Tiger Woods in the last group. He was the No. 1 player in the world and had won the past two majors – the British Open and PGA Championship in 2006. Another Tiger Slam seemed possible. And he had won four green jackets.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘What were you thinking that Sunday?’” Johnson said 10 years later. “Well, if I play good I might have a good finish. Tiger’s in the final group. I have no chance. Realistically, that’s what I was thinking.”
As for Woods, he was thinking his chances for a fifth green jacket were pretty good. He had won his previous start at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, had won his first start of the year in San Diego and had two other top-10s in five starts ahead of the Masters.
“I’ve hit the ball pretty well the last couple of weeks,” Woods said two days before the first round. “My practice sessions last week at home and so far this week have been good. I’m getting better each day.”
But Mother Nature changed the complexion of the tournament as bitter temperatures and strong winds turned the course rock-hard and turned the Masters into a U.S. Open. The final round featured temperatures in the mid-50s with a wind chill in the upper 40s.
Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 15th hole during the third round at the 71st Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, i 2007. Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Despite not breaking par in the first three rounds and sitting at 3 over through 54 holes, Woods was one shot out of the lead and in the final group with Stuart Appleby, who needed to go to the pro shop to buy a sweater for the final day. As for Johnson, his 76 on Saturday dropped him to 4 over but left him still in a position to win no matter what he was thinking.
Woods took the lead with a birdie on the second but bogeys on the sixth and 10th dropped him behind the leaders. An eagle at 13 got him within two of the lead but he parred in from there to finish in a tie for second.
For the first time in the Masters as a professional, Woods failed to break par in any round and finished 73-74-72-72, 3-over 291.
“I had a chance but looking back over the week I basically blew this tournament with two rounds where I had bogey, bogey finishes,” Woods said of the first and third rounds. “That’s 4 over on two holes. The last two holes, you just can’t afford to do that and win major championships.
“This golf course was playing very difficult. You just had to keep plodding along, give yourself as many good chances you possibly could for birdies. I had a chance this week. I lost it with two bogey-bogey finishes in two rounds.”
Johnson, meanwhile, won it with a brilliant 69 to finish at 1-over 289 with rounds of 71-73-76-69. Johnson joined Sam Snead (1954) and Jack Burke Jr. (1956) as the only players in 83 Masters to be victorious with an over-par total. And each finished at 1 over.
His best work came on the par-5s, which he dominated without going for the green in two on any of the four par-5s all week. Still, with his wedge play on point, he played the par-5s 11 under for the week. Woods played them 9 under.
In the final round, Johnson grabbed a share of the lead with a birdie on the third, chipped in for birdie on the eighth and made back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 to seize a 2-shot lead. Another birdie on the 16th kept him two clear and after a bogey on 17, he polished off his gem with a nifty chip to save par on the last.
“I remember Sunday felt like I was walking in the park and the golf ball got in the way,” Johnson said. “Any time you are in a tournament that Tiger is playing, somehow if your name is above his on Sunday, it is special.
“That’s something I can tell my grandkids.”
This is the 13th story in a series looking at each of Tiger Woods’ appearances at the Masters. Catch up on the series here.
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
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Golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three majors and the Ryder Cup contested this year.
After weeks of daily conference calls in a frantic bid to rescue a season crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November — and the Ryder Cup contested this year.
The details of the ambitious revised schedule were outlined to Golfweek by three people close to the discussions, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity since they are not authorized to address the matter publicly.
The planned joint announcement of a new schedule has been delayed while the R&A decides if the 149th Open Championship — slated for July 16-19 at Royal St. George’s in England — will be postponed or canceled entirely. A rescheduled Open would take place at the same venue from Sept. 17-20 — just one week before the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. If the R&A opts to cancel, that slot on the calendar could see the U.S. Open played at Winged Foot.
“At this point we are not in a position to confirm any specific dates. While we are hopeful that we will be able to conduct the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in June, it is increasingly likely that we will need to postpone,” said Craig Annis, the USGA’s chief brand officer. “We have been working with our broadcast partner Fox Sports, the PGA Tour, and other golf organizations to determine what a viable postponement date could be should we need to make that decision. We are currently considering a number of options and expect to be in a position to announce a decision by next week.”
One of those options under consideration: holding the U.S. Open later in the year on the West coast. The USGA has had initial conversations with two potential venues in California: Torrey Pines near San Diego, which has long been in line to host the Open in ’21, and Pebble Beach, where the ’19 edition was played. Annis acknowledged conversations are underway with several alternate venues and did not rule out a move west.
“Depending on how far out we might have to go it could mean that we need to find a new location. If we get beyond September we would need to find a U.S. Open-ready course in a place with the right climate and agronomics, with consideration to available daylight hours,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a number of USGA host site partners who we are engaging with to determine viability.”
Both Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach have multiple courses on property — a key consideration in getting a full field around for the first two rounds with limited daylight (Pinehurst in North Carolina has also been mooted, though that is considered unlikely.). “Certainly if we had to postpone and if we moved to a slot in the late fall, we would potentially need two courses if the size of the field remains the same,” Annis conceded. “The traditional timing of the U.S. Open allows us to work with maximum daylight hours. Any move away from that would provide daylight challenges for us that we would need to address and playing on two courses could be a way to resolve that challenge.”
The Masters, which was due to begin next week at Augusta National Golf Club, is tentatively penciled in for the week of Nov. 9, according to two people with knowledge of the current planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly. And what was for so many years the last major of the season is now aiming to be the first: the PGA Championship will be scheduled for Aug. 6-9 at Harding Park in San Francisco.
“Glory’s First Shot” will be followed by the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship and then three FedEx Cup playoff events, culminating with the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta on Labor Day weekend. Early talks included possibly restaging the Players Championship, which was abandoned after just one round last month, but the Tour’s flagship event will not now be part of the new lineup. As things stand, only the Ryder Cup will be played on its original dates.
It’s unclear whether the Tour would seek to begin its 2020-21 wraparound season as usual after the Tour Championship. An announcement on a new LPGA Tour schedule could come as early as this week, while the impact of the revised calendar on the European Tour remains uncertain.
While any refreshed schedule would obviously be subject to change — and complete cancellation, given the rapidly expanding coronavirus crisis — the timeframe targeted to resume the PGA Tour season is mid-June. That could potentially allow the Tour to use the four weeks vacated by the Olympics and the U.S. and British Opens to stage tournaments that were previously postponed. Events currently rostered for that summer period — like the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto, the Travelers Championship in Hartford, Conn., and the WGC-St. Jude Invitational in Memphis, Tenn. — could be impacted, either to facilitate the playing of other stops or because of local conditions.
Another uncertain element is television, with networks faced with finding slots to broadcast golf at a time when they have commitments to other sports (assuming some normalcy has returned to the sporting calendar by then). NBC, CBS, Fox and ESPN all have obligations with the NFL, college football, Premier League soccer and NASCAR, among others. That could mean, for example, that more U.S. Open coverage is aired on Fox Sports 1 rather than Fox’s main network. Fox is contractually obliged to air the championship on its main channel only when it is played in its traditional June date.
You’ve waited perhaps your whole life to make the trek to Augusta, Georgia, in April but now those plans are off. Here’s an FAQ on tickets.
The 2020 Masters Tournament, originally set for April 9-12, is off for now, postponed as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
There has been some chatter that the Masters could be held in October. Or the event may not take place at all in 2020 and we’ll all just look ahead to 2021.
But what are you supposed to do if you have tickets for this year’s event?
There’s an informative Frequently Asked Questions page on the official Masters website, which was posted on March 27, 2020. The information there is subject to change at any time, so check back as needed.
What should I do with my tickets?
The Masters site informs ticket holders to hold on to them and to “secure your tickets in a safe location to be used at a future date. If the Masters Tournament is rescheduled, your existing tickets will be used for entry.”
Are my tickets still good if the 2020 Masters is rescheduled?
This is a good one to know. Your 2020 tickets will be valid if the Masters is rescheduled. The Masters website again stresses keeping your tickets in a safe location until more information is available.
Can I sell my 2020 Masters tickets?
Ah, the selling of Masters tickets. Every year, you’ll find scores of tickets and badges for sale on a variety of secondary-market ticket sites, but Masters officials repeatedly say that the Masters is the only official distributor of tickets. On the FAQ page, they remind everyone of that: “Our policies do not permit any outside sales or re-selling of our tickets/badges.”
What if the 2020 Masters is canceled?
Refunds will be issued “to those patrons who purchased tickets directly from Augusta National Golf Club.”
Can I get a refund if I bought tickets from someone other than Augusta National Golf Club?
Here’s the official Masters answer: “Refunds will be issued only to those who purchased tickets directly from Augusta National Golf Club.”
As if you had to ask that one.
If the 2020 Masters is canceled, can I buy the same tickets for 2021?
The FAQ page explains it like this: “Yes. Patrons receiving refunds will be given the opportunity to purchase the same tickets for the 2021 Masters Tournament. In order to do so, a patron must complete a 2021 ticket application during the application window which usually takes place in June.”
I don’t have 2020 tickets but I want some for 2021. How do I apply?
“Go to Masters.com and complete a ticket application during the June 2020 application window. All previous applicants and new registrants will be notified, via email, when the 2021 ticket application is available online.”
Relive some of the greatest Masters final rounds, as CBS, NBC and Golf Channel will re-air some of Jack’s and Tiger’s most memorable wins.
While many hoped to see watch the 2020 Masters Tournament during the second weekend in April, a few networks are re-airing some classic rounds in an attempt to fill the void.
CBS announced Thursday it updated programming for April 11-12 — when the third and final rounds of the 2020 tournament were scheduled to be played — with broadcasts of the final rounds from the 2004 and 2019 Masters Tournaments.
While fans lose the privilege of watching another champion crowned at Augusta National due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, they can watch Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods win two of the most memorable Masters Tournaments of all time.
ESPN will also provide classic coverage in place of the 2020 Masters by replaying Tiger Woods’ 1997 and 2005 wins and Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 win during what would have been Masters week. ESPN+ will also offer on-demand Masters films beginning the week of April 6.
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NBC announced it will re-broadcast the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. Golf Channel will also re-run the final day on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.
CBS Sports’ broadcast will be available on television and the CBS All Access subscription service. Additional coverage throughout the week will be available on the CBS Sports HQ streaming sports news network, CBSSports.com and The First Cut podcast.
The Masters website and social media accounts will also feature never-before-seen content from both final rounds.
Augusta National Golf Club announced on March 13 that the 2020 Masters will be postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus fears. In the meantime, there has been some speculation that the Masters could be staged in October.
The TV schedule for all Augusta National re-broadcasts is below. All times listed are ET.
Saturday, April 4
2019 ANWA final round, 1 p.m., NBC
2019 ANWA final round, 9 p.m., Golf Channel
Wednesday, April 8
2018 Masters Par 3 Contest, 1 p.m., ESPN
1986 Masters final round, 3 p.m., ESPN
2018 Masters Par 3 Contest, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Thursday, April 9
2012 Masters final round, 2 p.m., ESPN
1997 Masters final round, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, April 10
2013 Masters final round, Noon, ESPN
2005 Masters final round, 6 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, April 11
1975 Masters final round, 1:30-2:30 p.m., CBS
2004 Masters final round, 2:30-6 p.m., CBS
Watch the full collection of official Masters films, which has a one-hour recap of every Masters from 1960 all the way up to 2018.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
