Each major has its own appeal, but when it comes to the Masters it seems like nothing compares. It may be because it is the first, it may be that Augusta National is inaccessible to mere mortals, it may be that the place is beautiful, but this seasonal appointment has the flavor of royalty.
The best golfers in the world are all there and they wouldn't want to miss the tournament that starts tomorrow for any reason at all. Even Tiger Woods finally snapped and said yes. After all, he's already won this competition 4 times, it's the tournament he loves the most and if there's a place where he can heal from his psychological problems or from Yips, admitted and not granted that he suffers from it, it's right here .
For the first time in 11 years now, Tiger will even play the Masters Par 3 Contest today, the nine-hole competition which, traditionally, is held the day before the start of the major, together with relatives, friends and acquaintances. With the champion his sons Sam, 7 years old and Charlie, 6 years old, had by his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren.
With this gesture, Woods tries to dust off his image, tarnished by scandals, physical problems, the bad game of recent months. In 2008 Tiger explained that he no longer did this pre-race lap, in order not to lose concentration, now something has changed or perhaps the sponsors have imposed an additional limelight on him to protect himself in case he doesn't pass the cut.
Since arriving in Georgia on Monday, Woods has already hit 20 practice holes, followed by a huge crowd excited by the idea that a living legend was back in competition. Today we get a global taste of the health of his game. In fact, the competition is also broadcast in Italy by Sky Sport.
The real challenge, however, begins tomorrow and Tiger leaves quite late, 13,48 local time, 19,48 in our country. As far as Italian golf is concerned, unfortunately this year we have to record the absence of Italians. The excellent Francesco Molinari didn't make it and for the first time in six years he won't fight on the lush Augusta fairways.
The players who have passed the tough selection of the Masters are 98 in all and crowned: among them there are 75 winners on the PGA Tour; 32 major winners; 21 WGC winners, for a total of 529 race wins. Twenty-four countries are represented: among the favourites, the number one in the world, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlory, still not completely in focus this season, but hunting for the only major missing from his palmares.
They are hot 21 year old Texan Jordan Spieth. number two in the FedexCup and number one in the “USA championship” Jimmy Walker, as well as last week's winner, the very powerful JB Holmes. Among the bombers in pole position is the reigning champion Bubba Watson, who in 2014 did an encore and wore the green jacket for the second time. It seems that Augusta's path is particularly congenial to a lefty like Bubba, but also to Lefty, Phil Mickelson, who returns to the Masters in good shape.
Finally, Dustin Johnson, very lucid after the long suspension of the game and the Swede Henrik Stenson should be mentioned. Today golf is no longer a "one man sport", but an open challenge to many contenders, as long as the big cat doesn't turn back into a tiger and find its claws again.
