ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit likes the idea of College GameDay being shot live from The Masters in Augusta, Georgia.
It’s never even been an option, but with The Masters identifying November 19-25 as a likely date to host the historic golf tournament, ESPN’s flagship kickoff show College GameDay will have an interesting decision to make.
The Masters was set to tee off this week from Augusta, Georgia, but the threat of coronavirus forced the tournament to be postponed.
On Friday, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley made this announcement:
“We have identified Nov 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters. We hope the anticipation of staging the Tournament brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and those who love the game.”
Nothing is set in stone just yet, according to the statement. However, if The Masters is indeed moved to that weekend there would be overlap with the 2020 college football season, if football is actually a go this year as well.
The overlap in Georgia would be absolutely epic.
This tweet sums up would could be a historic weekend for Georgia sports:
The big one there is obviously Georgia’s home game vs Tennessee, which could potentially have large implications on the SEC East title race.
After hearing the news that The Masters is eyeing that November weekend, ESPN’s College GameDay host Kirk Herbstreit entertained an idea of shooting the Saturday morning football show live from Augusta National.
This will likely never be a possibility again, so if Augusta National is willing to let ESPN host its often-rowdy show on their grounds, it would be a historic event for American sports.
Monday, the Masters were moved to mid-November and will be in the middle of busy Georgia sports week
Today, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley announced revised dates of Nov 9-15 for the 2020 Masters Tournament in Augusta.
Statement from Chairman Ridley:
"We have identified Nov 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters. We hope the anticipation of staging the Tournament brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and those who love the game."
“We have identified Nov 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters. We hope the anticipation of staging the Tournament brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and those who love the game.”
There are still a number of uncertainties with how exactly sports leagues around the country will resume regular activities, but from what we know at this moment, the week of Nov 9-15 will be a dream for Georgia sports fans.
Picture this, The Masters in Augusta, Georgia football vs. Tennessee in Athens, Notre Dame vs. Ga Tech in Mercedes-Benz and the Braves in a delayed-post season game at Truist Park.
The question is, what outcome would be the best for you?
How about a Tiger back-to-back Green Jacket with shutouts by Notre Dame and Georgia, capped off by a clinched series by the Braves?
Regardless of where your loyalties lie, if you’re a sports fan living in Georgia mark your calendars for Nov 9-15.
During the Masters, Augusta National has several uphill 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 uphill putt during the Masters?
Jack Nicklaus’ remarkable victory at the 1986 Masters made him the oldest man to ever win the Masters at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days old. (Augusta National/Getty Images)
“I didn’t know there was such a thing.” – Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
“At No. 5, to the front-middle pin. You have to hit a putt up the knob and then it starts going downhill, that’s scary. So you go up and then down and you have to be so, so careful.” – 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson
“If you had to two-putt to win.” – Kevin Na
Phil Mickelson reacts to a missed par putt on the sixth green during the 2010 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“From the bottom left to the top right on 6. The tier at the very top steepens and most people leave that first putt six to eight feet short. It’s scary because you have to give it so much more and think you have to race it by the hole to get it there.” – Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson
“It’s at No. 10, because it’s actually quicker than it looks towards Rae’s Creek, so you see so many players go long on uphill putts on 10.” – Luke Donald
“No. 5, if you’re going up that crest in the front and the pin is up top, so you have to go up and over and then it’s downhill, so it’s scary going uphill and then you have to watch out for it going downhill.” – Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer
“From pin-high to the right of the front-left pin on No. 1. You have to go over a hump and then it’s downhill. You can say bye-bye to your ball in a hurry.” – Matt Kuchar
“The one to win.” – Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy
Jason Day hits out of a bunker on the seventh hole the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National GC. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
“No. 7 is pretty decently difficult. When you have to putt to the front middle pin and you have to putt up and over a ridge and then it can get by the hole and go off the green.” – 2015 PGA champion Jason Day
“Up to the top-right on six has to be the scariest, because if you don’t hit it hard enough, you get to try it again.” – Kevin Kisner
“I’d say the back-left pins on No. 1. I always have problem with those putts. I don’t think they are the much uphill but I always run it by four or five feet and then I have a downhill breaking putt, which isn’t fun.” – Billy Horschel
“Most uphill putts at Augusta are a good thing, but to the top-right pin on No. 6, if you’re short, man, that’s a tough one.” – Bill Haas
“Gosh, at No. 10. You know the putt is uphill but it’s going toward Rae’s Creek. It goes a lot faster than you believe, because everything is sloping back toward you but you know it’s heading towards Rae’s Creek, so it throws you a bit.” – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson
“At No. 1, if you are on the front of the green and the pin is back right or back left because it’s just so hard to get the distance and the borrow right. That’s about as tough as it gets.” – 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle
“Some of those putts on 9, 18 and on 8, you have to hit them so hard they can get away from you and then you have a downhill slider that you don’t want. Those stick out. You have to hammer some of those putts.” – 2019 U.S. Open Gary Woodland
Dustin Johnson lines up a putt on the second green during the final round of the 2016 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (File)
“Probably to win the Masters.” – 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson
“If you’re front-right on 5 and the flag is on the back, you could just putt it off the green.” – 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel
“The first hole can be scary. Sometimes you’re nervous, you’re right out of the box and that first putt, when the pin is top-left, can be scary. So hard to get your speed right.” – 1998 Masters champion Mark O’Meara
“One that has always been tricky for me is the one at No. 5 if you miss it to the right and you have to come over that big swale” – Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen
“There aren’t any really scary uphill putts at Augusta. But I guess if you’re below the hole on the first hole and you’re putting to the back-left hole location, you know if you get it four or five feet past the hole it could roll off the green.” – Patrick Cantlay
“The back-right pin on 5. Putting to that back pin, it’s like an infinity putt. Gets your attention.” – 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell
Tony Finau putts on the 17th green during the 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports)
“Thirteen, from the bottom to the back-right pin. It’s the slowest putt there but you can’t hit that past because you could go off the green into a swale or be above the hole and that’s one of the fastest putts there is.” – Tony Finau
“No. 6, with a back-right pin if you’re at the bottom of the green. You can race it by the hole off the green and you can leave it short and watch it come back to your feet and then pass you and go off the green.” – 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson
No. 16, back-right on the green. I think everybody has hit that putt and it’s come back to their feet, or you go way by and end up on the fringe and then you have a downhill putt that’s scary.” – Nick Watney
“When the pin is back-right on No. 6. You’re going straight up the hill so you have to hit it so hard to get to that top-flat plateau but you can’t race it by the hole. That one is pretty hair-raising.” – 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman
“Short of the pin on 6 because if you’re short it comes back to your feet.” – Keith Mitchell
“Back-left pin on No. 6. You never get it back there so you always have 45 feet, and you know it’s so slow. But if you hit it too hard then it goes by the hole and could go off the green.” – 2013 U.S. Open champion Justin Rose
Jim Furyk putts on the 16th green during the 2014 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Harry How/Getty Images)
“At No. 16, front-right pin. When you’re on the other tier, either pine-high or a little on got if, yeah, that’s a tough one.” – 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk
“No. 17, right flag, when your ball is left because it’s uphill for the majority of the putt and then it can get away from you right at the end. It’s just brutal.” – 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.
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.
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.
Golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November. 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 — 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. If the R&A is to cancel, that slot on the calendar could see the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Another option under consideration: holding the U.S. Open later in the year on the West coast. The USGA has had initial talks with two potential venues in California, Torrey Pines & Pebble Beach. 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. The Masters, which was due to begin next week at Augusta National Golf Club, is tentatively penciled in for the week of Nov. 9. 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. It’s unclear whether the Tour would seek to begin its 2020-21 wraparound season as usual after the Tour Championship.
Golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November. 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 — 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. If the R&A is to cancel, that slot on the calendar could see the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Another option under consideration: holding the U.S. Open later in the year on the West coast. The USGA has had initial talks with two potential venues in California, Torrey Pines & Pebble Beach. 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. The Masters, which was due to begin next week at Augusta National Golf Club, is tentatively penciled in for the week of Nov. 9. 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. It’s unclear whether the Tour would seek to begin its 2020-21 wraparound season as usual after the Tour Championship.
