Augusta: The Masters

[ChillDoubt]

....is underway. Weather forecasts suggests a serious storm or two in the next 48 hrs could disrupt matters.
Hopefully a European can bring some of that Ryder Cup spirit to the greens and fairways as Rose, Westwood, Poulter and Donald need to fulfil Major ambitions.
But most predict Tiger will be the man come Sunday, as do I.

Predictions?

[Sipowicz]

Predictions? Not much gardening this weekend!

[doctordb]

bubba wins again. who hands him the green jacket though?

[ChillDoubt]

Westwood and Rose going well, Lynn in the clubhouse on -3, great effort.
Garcia going well too, keeping the Europeans right in there.

Best wishes to 14 yeard old Guan Tianlang who has just teed off, hope he has a good round and makes the cut tomorrow.

[ChillDoubt]

Apologies to David Lynn, he did even better at -4!

[ChillDoubt]

The young lad is +2 as he walks down 18 with Ben Crenshaw.
Must be having the time of his young life!
Hole in one for Donaldson of Wales on the 6th, Garcia joint leader on -6.

[ChillDoubt]

Tianlang birdies 18, into the 19th +1.
Is there any other sport in the world where a 14 year old schoolboy can compete on the same stage with a sprightly 61 year old playing partner who holds two Green Jacket's?
What a day for him, hope he makes the cut tomorrow.

[sunny-dave]

It was a joy to listen to Jack Nicklaus earlier - not for his voice (which isn't that easy on the ear), but for the effortless way he used his wealth of knowledge of Augusta to explain in a few words what the other commentators struggle to get across in dozens.

His generosity of spirit to the (very) young players seems totally genuine too.

[Stephen_G]

I had to turn off the interactive coverage on Sky, because the septic commentators were bringing me down.

They were discussing Lee Westwood (How he's moved his family to Florida and he's playing on the PGA Tour. Nice guy. Well spoken about on both sides of the pond) and they went off on one because he's not won a Major (I do realise that the fact is true)- then it was Justin Rose, then Luke Donald. The last English winner of the Green Jacket was Sir Nick Faldo, when he won his third, in 1996. OK we get it.....

..... and relax!

[DTCwordfan]

he's a very genuine man, dave.

I have been privileged to meet him, as I have Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer- the two things that unifies these distinct and colourful characters being the history, tradition and rules of the game and an immense appreciation and mentoring of youth in Golf.

[ChillDoubt]

Slow play is the curse of the modern game but do the PGA really have to start enforcing it by making an example of a 14 year old schoolboy?
Yes, he's in with the big boys now and is surprisingly philosophical about his one stroke penalty but there are plenty of pro's who get away with it.
As it stands, it has taken Tiger Woods group 1 hour 20 minutes to complete 3 holes, being held up by the group in front apparently.

[FredPuli43]

Yes, CD,it is a bit tough on the boy. But he was warned earlier. There hasn't been a shot penalty for slow play on the PGA tour, but that may be because players heed the warnings they get. This lad just took a chance. He might have weighed the chances of hitting a bad shot against being penalised and thought that, given his age, that he wasn't likely to be penalised whereas an older player would be.

[ChillDoubt]

Agreed Fred, as long as we see consistency with it, that's all I want.
Rory Sabatini was pilloried when he left Ben Crane to putt out while he purposefully strode to the next tee, the group having been put on the clock as a result of Crane.
I didn't blame him, neither did Crane who ackowledged his problem and how it affects his group.
I hope the group ahead of Tiger are under scrutiny!

[ChillDoubt]

A happy ending after all, the young Chinese makes the cut so will be at Augusta National for the weekend instead of doing his homework!
He makes history too, becoming the youngest player ever to do so.
Tiger looking good for the weekend and tomorrow is 'moving' day.

[ELVIS68]

Sergio had the demons come back and haunt him today after such a good round yesterday, can't see him getting back in it now, going to have a bet on Furyk and Cabrera

[Wharton]

Couples

[ELVIS68]

Also going to have a bet on Kuchar and Choi at some fancy prices

[anneasquith]

the tiger, is back !!!!!!!!!!!

[ELVIS68]

The Tiger is on the verge of being kicked out after his drop shot on the 15th yesterday

He admitted dropping the ball two yards further back from where he should've played it

[ttfn]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22134938

Well, the tiger never was king of the jungle ;)

[Maydup]

I have a couple of each way bets which are doing very nicely so far. I can't say the names out loud for fear of putting the knockers on them but i'm looking forward to the next two days!