Who would YOU rather play with - Tiger or Phil?
Sports Illustrated's 7th annual PGA Tour Player Survey asks the question: Would you rather be paired with Tiger or Phil? Any guesses on the results? I'll give you a hint. It was overwhelming.
The vote totals: Woods 87 percent, Mickelson 13 percent. I'll leave it to you to reach your own conclusions why the golfers feel that way.
Masters weather update
All we kept hearing is that some unpleasant weather was moving in for Sunday's final round, bringing with it high winds. Well, I'm not sure what weather map the meteorologists were looking at but it is positively delightful here this morning. It sun is shining brilliantly. Not a cloud in the sky. The temperature is expected to be in the 60s. Nothing wrong with bad. So unless the wind does blow some, the conditions will be perfect. The cool and dampness in the air from Friday and Saturday will keep the greens softer than you might normally expect for a final round. I repeat, at the moment, everything looks just peachy keen in the Peach State, weather-wise.
Bring an umbrella
There has been a dramatic change in the weather forecast in Augusta. They're now talking about scattered showers Saturday and much cooler temperatures and breezes Sunday.
The temps are supposed to be in the 80s Friday and in the low 60s Sunday. The temperature won't bother the golfers but if the wind gets serious, that will profoundly impact the scores.
What happened to those perfect spring days that used to be featured at Augusta National during Masters week? Global warming?
Masters is keeping early round form
The first round of the Masters was true to form. A lot of very good golfers are near the lead. As the tournament progresses, a few more of the big names will appear on the leaderboard and a few of them now up there will falter. It happens every year. Despite the changes at Augusta National Golf Club, it's still absolutely true that the green jacket will be won - or lost - on the back nine Sunday afternoon. The difference today on the new, lengthened, toughened Augusta National is that pars and birdies have replaced birdies as eagles.
Ian Poulter opened with 70 and said three more 70s - a 280 total, 8-under-par - would be plenty to win. I agree with him entirely. My target score for the winner going into the tournament was 284, or 4-under.
Padraig Harrington is carrying Ireland's banner
Padraig Harrington tees off at 10:34 a.m. Thursday for the first round of the Masters. He knows he will be introduced as the British Open champion. "I can't wait to hear the starter call my name," the Irishman said. "I'm very excited to be here."
The Masters is special in Ireland, too. "In Ireland, where the weather is cold and wet, the Masters was really the start of the golf season," he said. "After the Masters was on TV, everybody went out and started playing golf. Even though we've been playing golf for four months, this is the start of the season back home."
Trash talking in golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Normally, there's no trash talking in golf. But some of the game's young guns are just as likely to mouth off as they are to hit massive drives. Rory Sabbatini, Ian Poulter and Jason Day all have said things in recent months about challenging Tiger Woods' supremacy. So what does Woods think about all the talk?
"I think it's just funny," Woods said Tuesday. "Some of the guys, that's just their personalities. But, hey, my father always taught me to just go out there and play and let your clubs do the talking and that should be enough."
The green, green grass of Augusta
It happens every year at Augusta National. The heart begins to pound a little quicker and louder as you walk through the gates and look at all the things that are so familiar to you - the same security personnel offering a smile and a greeting; the large merchandising building on the right (and already the very long lines); the building on the left with all the Masters memoribilia and trophies; and all the long lines for concessions. The large parking lot is being converted into the new practice area, which is due to open in 2010, and trees have been planted for the range. It's always a thrill to come back.
Augusta National has made sweeping changes to the Media Center, which already was state of the art. There's a new concession area with, for the first time, a hot food offering daily. I think I'll stick with pimento cheese sandwiches, at least for the first few days, and the bar-b-que beef when the tournament starts. Also news are electronic services at each work place. Who said it's not fun to come to work?
It's Masters week. Let the golf begin.
Welcome to Augusta for Masters week. They've had some horrific weather down here the past few days but the forecast for the Masters is rapidly improving. In fact, it's pretty good. No rain in the forecast until Friday or Saturday, and then the chance is only 30 percent. It is expected to be partly sunny with temperatures in the 70s the next couple of days and then hitting the 80s. The course should play relatively firm and fast. That's how it was last year for the first time since the much-talked-about lengthening and renovations and we saw the results - a surprise winner in Zach Johnson and very high scoring. Johnson won with a 1-over-par 289 total, 2 shots better than three golfers (including Tiger Woods). I'll be here all week to keep you informed on developments. Stay tuned.
Lefty is getting ready for Augusta
Phil Mickelson is among the few PGA Tour stars who likes to play the week before a major championship. He believes the tournament action helps him stay sharp. Mickelson is playing this week at the Shell Houston Open. Next week, it's the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, where Mickelson is a two-time winner. The left-hander likes where his game is at the moment. "It's coming around," Mickelson said Wednesday. "I'm expecting to play well this week. I've had a good couple of weeks of practice." Mickelson had a "couple of good practice sessions" last week at Augusta National. "Expect to play well," he said.
Woods can now focus on the Masters
Tiger Woods' winning streak is over. I'm betting that's a good thing when it comes to Woods' quest for a fifth Green Jacket at the Masters. All Woods has to do is look at the New England Patriots. An unbeaten regular season doesn't necessarily translate into victory in the big one. Woods will no longer have to deal with winning streaks and such over the next couple of weeks. He can focus entirely on a single goal - winning at Augusta National Golf Club. I don't see how that's anything but a positive.
