They are the hundred strongest and most famous in the world, the richest, the most sponsored, those who have nerves and wrists of steel, enough to make the ball fly at more than 300 kilometers per hour in the direction they want: are the golfers invited to the Augusta Masters, in Georgia, the exclusive club where the first of the four majors is played each season. A challenge played on one of the most beautiful fields in the USA, between fuchsia azaleas and greens as fast as slabs of ice, where the amen corner, from 11 to 13, awaits the players. A palindrome course, as has been observed, given that the eighteen holes alternate as follows: the first nine, par 4, 5, 4, 3, 4, 3, 4, 5, 4; the back nine par 4, 4, 3, 5, 4, 5, 3, 4, 4.
It is the Masters number 76 at which Italy proudly participates with two champions, the brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari. Great absent from Big Easy, the South African Ernie Els, a fantastic swing, but a traitorous putt for some years and so he failed to enter the top 50 of the world rankings. On the other hand, some past Masters champions such as Tom Watson were present, while the gong, at 7,40 on Thursday morning, was entrusted to the drive of three golf legends: Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
In pole position there are, as usual: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, but behind them the engines roar world No. 1 Luke Donald and No. 3 Lee Westwood. In an ideal third row we find Charl Schwartzel, defending champion; Justin Rose, winner at Doral a few weeks ago; Keegan Bradley, winner of the 2011 PGA Championship and enviable putter; the great champion Phil Mickelson who wore the green jacket three times. And again: Martin Kymer; the likeable and very strong Bubba Watson; Accenture championship winner Hunter Mahan; the Spaniards Jimenes, Garcia, Quiros, the number 5 in the world Steve Strecker, the Australian Adam Scott, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Nick Watney. Or maybe one of the many Orientals who are growing in golf at an impressive pace, starting with veteran KJChoi. To be sure of guessing a prediction, almost all of them must be mentioned, because the best of world golf is on the field and every player is determined to assert himself.
Tiger is always the favourite, by bookmakers and by the public, and he wants to win Augusta for the fifth time, shortening the gap with Jack Nicklaus (18 majors won against 14 by Woods). For the tiger it is the eighteenth Masters: "Half of my life", he observed. An appointment to which he arrives in dazzling form, thanks to the extraordinary work done with coach Sean Foley and the good understanding found with caddy Joe LaCava. His fans haven't seen him hit the ball so long and straight for years and this bodes well, but golf isn't just about length and precision. Tiger Woods, when he was in his prime, was capable of winning a major without holding the drive on the course, saving the hole from the most improbable situations or even limping. It was the champion's mental strength that impressed and intimidated even his opponents. Then there were 30 months of crisis, for clear reasons, knee problems and scandals, but in the meantime a generation of champions has grown up who are no longer afraid of him. First McIlroy. The two admire each other: "one of the best memories I have of Augusta - said the young Northern Irishman - is from 1997, I was 7 years old and I saw Tiger win the Masters on TV". According to Tiger on the other hand McIlroy is a champion that will last a long time, because he knows how to learn from his mistakes.
Augusta for Rory is a good testing ground, since in 2011 he collapsed to 10 in the fourth round, after having dominated for 54 holes. Destiny, mocking as always, has ensured that in the first two days of this Masters McIlory plays with Angel Cabrera, as in the fourth day of 2011, so he will be able to compete with his ghosts in perfect condition. In his favor is the fact that after 12 months he is another: he is a consecrated champion, who just a few weeks after Augusta won another major (the US Open). In short, those ghosts should keep them at bay.
Luke Donald and Lee Westwood also want to win, still without majors, and the tam tam says the world number one must be crowned by one of the major tournaments. Or he is not a real king. On the podium of the ranking they sit inside with McIlroy and at this level the game is played only between them, because they have a much higher score than their opponents. Not even Tiger can regain the title of number one in the world in Augusta which he boasted for 13 years in a row. But the season is long and in the coming months the wheel of the standings could turn a lot.
Meanwhile let's enjoy the Masters, which is broadcast live on Sky in the eveningFurthermore, there are various possibilities also via the internet. For those who dream of going to Augsburg, tickets for 2013 will be on sale from May XNUMXst. It could be a unique experience, given that one does not enter that field unless invited. It is a very retrograde Club, so much so that women are not admitted as members. A bad mole, for such a splendid place.
