The Masters - 2012

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So it seems there is only one story in town this week and we may as well have a thread about it right from the start of the week!

Obviously no golf to talk about yet (though last week at the Shell Houston may bring up some talking points) but at the moment it's the dreaded "Meeja" generating the talking points

Poulter not wanting advice from the venerable masters (with a small "m"). Rory splitting from Chubby last year hitting the headlines again- and of course in the UK, Sky Sports throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the coverage

On the media front, I'm surprised to see Kirsty Gallagher getting an apparent top billing on the SS shows. I'd much rather see Rob Lee in the hot seat (at least Kirsty is taking the limelight away from the dreadful David Livingstone though) - and what has Sarah Stirk done wrong? She seems to have made a good start as TV anchor-person

Of course Roey is also there so we can expect the Tiger/Coco-fest to continue - from what I've seen of coverage so far anyone would think the world #1 isn't even there!

Worst of all, Sky have announced that they have Jack on their team this year so expect the sycophancy to reach levels even greater than we saw at Arnie's party.

Having said all that I'm still glad that we have them to watch rather than Steve Ryder or Gary Lineker on good old Auntie Beeb and we should all say a prayer of thanks (could we get Zach Johnson to lead the prayer circle?) that ITV don't get the coverage or it could be the execrable Jim Rosenthal or that prat that now does the football (Adrian Childs?)

My own hopes for the week are that Luke consolidate his #1 spot and breaks the duck in the Majors - either him or LW would make my weekend. Bradley or Rose to get into the mix and I have a sneaking feeling that Jason Day could once again feature at ANGC when he's had a very quiet year so far.

Noooooooo Leeeeeeeeee. Cue stories and questions about us suspect putting.

Can't believe that Westy just did that!

Just got home and starting to watch. A 6 on the last for lee? That's disappointing but he's still right in the mix. All those following still have 18 to play too

I've got a few bets with various sweeps and bookies and none are really showing yet (Jason Day WD?? What's that all about?) - Westwood isn't one of my bets but I'd still be very happy to see him close it out over the next couple of days

Westwood confirming why imo he will not win a major and why I put my money elsewhere! I really do hope I'm wrong and he pulls it out the bag.

Some of my bets looking good early doors, though a long way to go, but my each way on Freddie at 150/1 and Sergio despite the 18th at 66/1 look ok so far. But am really routing for King Louis as I had a score on him to win at 80/1 I just couldn't resist.

Where's that Tiger Chap I keep seeing Mark "Kleenex" Roe climaxing over!

But seriously how cool is Fred Couples

Interesting you mention Couples, Mav - I was just about to post about him

Seems to me he should change his name to Mary Pickford - he seems to be the new American Sweetheart - yet there is something about him I just can't take to

Everyone seems to love him and the fact that he apparently plays with a bad back makes him an even bigger hero in many eyes; he seems to give "nice" interviews and the cameras often show him signing autographs etc - yet there is still something...

I've heard rumours (nothing more than that) that it's all a show; people who have followed him around a golf course and found him rather unpleasant - but can turn the charm on when it suits (or when the cameras are on him). Obviously I can't vouch for that and it could just be malicious people who have it in for him somehow (perhaps he lost them a bet?) - but to me there is just something in the eyes that make me slightly believe it

If anyone has ever watched him close up and in the flesh and wants to deny this then I'd be happy to be convinced - but until then, the jury is out for me - there is something just too smooth about him

I've heard rumours (nothing more than that) that it's all a show; people who have followed him around a golf course and found him rather unpleasant

Is he rude to old people and children, and kick dogs when no-ones looking!

In all honesty I've followed him a few times at Ryder Cups, Open Championships and a few other regular events and in all honesty never found him to be anything other than sub zero cool. Also a joy to watch his effortless power and wonderful tempo. I recall Mac also disliking Freddie something you have in common with anorak man

Maybe that's why some people dislike him as he is just cool and chilled out, if I can be like that at 52 I'd be happy. Freddie was in my top 3 golfers in the 90's along with my all time idol Norman and Sir Nick of Faldo

If Mac dislikes him also then I've just changed my mind!

Makes me laugh how they can have 11 a par 4 at 505 yards and 13 a par 5 at 510yards!

Tiger drops another wonder his odds now!

Loving this tournament so far - apart from the performance of players I have a financial interest in!

Despite leading the way in the Fantasy league (and I can't see that lasting) the best placed player that could win me money is Tiger! (No I wasn't stupid enough to take bookies' odds on him - that was a sweepstake entry)

All the others are +4 or +5 and Jason Day withdrew!

The weekend is shaping up nicely from a neutral point of view, plenty if nationalities in the mix and as well as a few of peoples favourite players, if only Greg Norman was there.........

From a financial POV I'm more than happy,with some of my little earners in Garcia, Freddie, King Louis, and Mahan in the hunt. Also got Justin poised for a good weekend and the other 2 I had as more of hopefuls like freddie are Sean (bucky_ O'Hair and Henrik! Usually my bets all fade on day 1, not sure what's happend this time around but my fingers are well and truly crossed!

Scoreboard showing a birdie for Luke at 2 and tnen holing his 2nd shot at par4 3rd?? Go Luke!

Hmmm now showing a par at 2 for Luke but still an eagle at 3!

Must've been a smudge on the fax machine

Davie wrote:Must've been a smudge on the fax machine

Another fine piece of sarcastic social commentary from the GCUK site!

Tiger back to his best.... Tantrums that is.. If my son threw his club on the ground and then kicked it. He would not be able to sit down for a week! And my son is only 4!!

It will be a sad day for golf if Tiger does ever pass Jacks major tally.

Firstly who dressed Bill Haas! Those shity and strides a) do not match and b) looked washed out!

Kaymer and Gtwat not playing the easy thirteenth very well at all, but what a 2nd shot into the par5 off the down slope from Sneds.

Are the commentators right Tiger 1 birdie on the par 5's this week so far! Piss poor effort that! Oh and if I ever behaved like him on course my dad would put me on my arse even at 31years old you just don't do it.

Maverick wrote:Oh and if I ever behaved like him on course my dad would put me on my arse even at 31years old you just don't do it.

Don't think there's anyone around that he would listen to that would give him constructive criticism and if so it would take years for him to abandon his past habits. Self evident by how he's continued to conduct himself like an a@@ when it serves his purpose even though he vowed to change during his ridiculous circus side-show apology conference a few years back. Still think he has an outside shot at Jack's record though he needs to resort to whatever got him to becoming the top golfer last decade. Can't believe his driving game is in such a disarray for all he's accomplished and been privy to as far as instruction goes.

Coco starts off with a double.

Wouldn't Eldrick's own father have put him over his knee for his current behaviour?

As I understand it, Woods Snr. is responsible indirectly for a lot of Eldrick's behaviour but I wouldn't think he would stand for what's seen at the moment

None of my "financial interests" in the game now (barring a comeback of Easter-biblical proportions) so it's a case of GOOOOO LEE!

Rose is quietly good today.

Rose would be my 2nd choice out of the top 20 or 30 now

Proper TV coverage just started and I'm getting caught up with some of the news from the early starters. Great day for Sneds - I'm sure I could warm to him more if he didn't look like the kid from the MAD comics in the 60s/70s

Breaking News: Tiger isn't back

Woods.

Justin was starting to look VERY good until finding the water at 13(?)

Freddie falling away a little and I feel it's only a matter of time before Dufner does too

How good is Stenson looking though after 8s and 7s on the first two days - he could be about 5 shots ahead without those!

Mercurio wrote:
I'm running a competition at work where you choose 6 players and give them 3 holes to make up your 18 holes (no holes can be shared by your players) - it's making me analyse what everyone player is doing a lot more.

The only woman that's entered is having a shocker - she's +7. Choosing Phil for the 10th didn't help

I'm now starting to get more than a little annoyed with Coco as I've chosen him for the 1st hole. I'd be leading without his scores on the opening hole.

I feel better now that Rory's losing it completely - it feels less personal now.

WTF decided that Michael Vaughan was a golf interviewer?

Oh fudge Leeeee.

That was like a rerun of the ladies major last week. Lee needs to start holing his approach shots to compete his short game has been shocking on the last 3 holes.

Big fat Phil is making a move and Harrington with 5 birdies in his last 6 to post 4 under

Holy fudge big fat Phil. What a putt. Tied for the lead.

Come on Westy, time to do a Phil like charge.

Phil just got me an eagle!

See Sandy Lyle had a word with some of the players and asked for a favour. Woodland obliged and Sandy looks relatively competitive now.

Just seen that Lee has snuck one in close on 11. We only got to see it because it was so good.

westy back to level for his round today. Trouble is Oosty stuck it close on 12 and we didn't see Lee's ball in the picture; hope he hasn't thrown that birdie on 11 away.

Touching comedy moment from Sergio to Coco after they both make a birdie on 12, only their 1st and 2nd of the day respectively and buckets of shots thrown away..

Come on, Phil!

Nice shot from Hanson; short putt on 18 for a 65. Great round even if he doesn't make it

Nice putt from Westwood on 14. Without pictures I guess we have to assume that he went for it on 13 and put it in the creek.

BFP conjuring some magic from the right rough on 18. A chance to close the gap to 1; could it be 3 birdies in a row on 18 for Phil this week.

I'd love to see Peter Hanson win this thing definitely one of lifes nice fellas and his golf the last 2 years really come on leaps and bounds.

What a great shot from fat phil at 18. This got very interesting today and thankfully not because of the Woods/Mcilroy show that the media billed it as.

Oh and C'Mon Oosthuizen

BFP!!! What a back nine charge. 3 in a row on 18 this tournament and only the 5th time he has birdied it apparently.

Some separation starting to appear at the top now.

1GrumpyGolfer wrote:Nice putt from Westwood on 14. Without pictures I guess we have to assume that he went for it on 13 and put it in the creek.

His second finished right on the yellow hazard line but his third (chip) was too firm and went off the back of the green.

gotta think he's making some very basic errors right now. I know the place is tough but there are some pretty basic things going on here. Leaving it in the trap. A club or so short on 13.

Still... He is playing the aggressive game so things can easily go the wrong way.

Jesus, I forgot Lee was playing, first time we've seen him in ages. Let's hope he knocks that one in for birdie and picks up another one or two on the final holes.

Edit - thanks Merc, not too surprising that his short game let him down again. Average pitch and crap short putting on 18 yesterday. Poor pitch on 7 caused another bogey. Terrible miss on 9 caused another bogey. If only he could chip and putt.

The king of cool comes up a couple of yards short on 15. Think this tournament might be one round too long for him.

venice1 wrote:Coco starts off with a double.

And then it got worse ........ Come on Padraig we need to get a Paddy in green!!

A stat for those not watching Sky's coverage:

After 3 rounds, Westwood is 4 strokes behind Big Phil.

After 3 rounds, Westwood has had 21 putts more than Phil.

I guess that just proves the saying you drive for show etc etc Merc.

What.

A.

Masters.

Poor Louis! That is a career shot - he may as well hang up his gloves now, he'll never surpass that

Possibly the only thing to match it would be holing a 2nd shot on the 72nd hole in a major to win it.

I wonder if that will spur him on today or if (unexpectedly) it will signal the end of his day. How do you top that?

I see Steve Williams is having a good day...

Why, oh why, did Mickelson not go back to the tee?

I didn't need hindsight to know that was the best option.

I think a VanDeVeldt can now officially be renamed as a Hefty Lefty