Words: Gentleman's Journal
The biggest golf tournament in the world is upon us, and as usual it features some of the most skilled players in the sport. Here are 5 reasons to watch The Masters.
1. The Course: Augusta
The opening Major of the season The Masters is unique in being played over the same course each year. Though its greens, bunkers and hazards have been re-designed and re-moulded over time, there remains a brooding familiarity and the overarching weight of history falls upon competitors’ shoulders. 18 holes of Georgian grass spanning around 7500 yards stand between them and the legendary Green Jacket. It is a monster of a course, favouring long hitters as well as technical approaches.
2. The Money: Safe Bets, Familiarity breeds success in this case. Those each way bets are far more likely to come off on a course the top pros know like the back of their hand. Rookie customers by comparison fare poorly. The last 15 Masters champions all made the cut on their next visit, with the average victor having played at Augusta on at least 6 occasions. Fuzzy Zoeller (1979) remains the only man to have won on his first appearance in the past 80-years.
3. The Hattrick Hero: Bantam Ben
Ben Hogan won his 2nd masters by a record 5 strokes, prompting a run to the U.S and British Open titles in 1953. His feats were all the more remarkable when you consider just 4 years prior, having shattered his legs in a head-on bus collision, doctors told him he would never walk again.
4. The Favourite: Rory McIlroy, In 2011, aged 21, he dropped seven shots in 12 holes, imploding under pressure and throwing away a 4-shot lead on the final day. But whilst hitting his first tee shot at the Masters remains the only stroke in golf to invoke nerves in the 4-time Major winner, the 2011 edition didn’t haunt him for long as he went on to win his first title months later at the US Open. Paired with three-time champion Phil Mickleson, the Northern Irishman is set for a career Grand Slam should he triumph at Augusta, and remains the bookies’ favourite to do so.
5. The Legend: Tiger Woods
From No. 1 to No. 111, it has been a grave fall from grace for the Tiger, but having taken a break from the game he is returning with new vigour. “I worked my ass off. I want another green jacket.” Can the man heralded by many as the greatest golfer of all time claim his 15th Major, and reignite his charge towards Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of 18? Or will McIlroy expand upon his own growing legacy?
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