Tiger Woods hits a tee shot on Monday on the twelfth gap at Augusta Nationwide.
Getty Photographs
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Eyes are trying up.
Most appear lined too, which is sweet. We’d like these for this web site.
They had been pointed towards the solar, which was partially blocked by the moon for a few three-hour stretch Monday, with the utmost protection taking place at simply after 3 within the afternoon native time right here. Eyes even did so on Masters Monday, and so they weren’t on the strokes. Not even Augusta Nationwide can management Mom Nature’s uncommon eclipses, although they kindly handed out cool viewing glasses to some of us.
There’s perhaps some symbolism right here.
Eyes are trying up. However what about issues?
How are they trying within the golf panorama? It’s divided-golf season three, and the Masters is serving as a barometer in a means. In 2022, LIV Golf, the upstart, was two months away from kicking off a feud with the PGA Tour, the established model, however there was discuss. Stress. Then, Phil Mickelson, a three-time inexperienced jacket winner, missed the occasion, after feedback involving the league. Final yr, there was curiosity. There was co-mingling of PGA Tour stars and LIV stars, and there have been some double-takes Ooh, look, there’s Rory McIlroy speaking to Brooks Koepka — or extra precisely, there’s the PGA Tour’s Rory McIlroy speaking to LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka. Ooh, look there’s a brand from the Fireballs, one of many LIV Golf groups. Bizarre, proper? Perhaps, perhaps not.
And this yr at ANGC? After 10 months of bargaining on a proposed funding deal between the Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Funding Fund, the backer of LIV?
Is it acceptance? Frustration? Is it nothing in any respect? What is going to Augusta chairman Fred Ridley say on the matter in his annual state of the union feedback? Will he push for a deal? Or received’t he? Will LIVers have a path to future Masters tournaments? Or received’t they? Will what he and Augusta Nationwide say affect others?
All good questions, and as we scene-set for the Masters that begins Thursday, we’ll start there. It’ll be one of many objects to observe this week. As of now, the professionals on both sides are coming collectively simply on the majors, and there are however solely 4 of these.
So perhaps these patron eyes had been trying … larger. Perhaps the golf gods — those who pace up your swing and pace up the arrival of the beverage cart — have an concept how this may all shake out.
With that, listed here are a pair different issues we’ll all be this week.
The Tiger Woods query
Tiger Woods is again. (We expect. Nothing’s official official till Thursday.) It’ll be his first play since pulling out of the Genesis Invitational in February with an ailment.
For an hour at Amen Nook, Masters patrons stared into the sky
However, as has been well-documented, a whole lot of issues ail Woods. Final week, analyst and longtime good friend Notah Begay stated this on a convention name previewing the Masters:
“He’s attempting to formulate a method and method that he can work inside given the constraints that he’s introduced with. And he’s acquired some constraints. He’s acquired zero mobility in that left ankle and actually has low-back challenges now, which he knew he was going to have.”
The Rory McIlroy query
Is that this as Masters-focused as he’s been? Is that this the yr he wins the profession grand slam?
He’s dialed again his PGA Tour management position. He’s accomplished a pit cease with Butch Harmon. He’s preaching endurance. Shoot, he’s even skipping the Par-3 Contest, in accordance with Golfweek.
Final week, on a teleconference previewing ESPN’s protection of the Masters, analyst Curtis Unusual stated this, after talking with famend sports activities psychologist Bob Rotella about McIlroy:
“Bob stated the principle factor for Rory subsequent week is to remain calm and funky. He had this phrase: Thoughts must be stronger than the swing. And I feel in Rory’s case, that’s precisely proper as a result of he does have some baggage coming into right here as a result of he is aware of he may have received right here a few occasions, however he is aware of he has the sport as nicely.
“So do what you understand how to do. Play your personal recreation. Play good. Play a bit of extra conservative golf right here round at Augusta, they’re speaking about. Then on Sunday afternoon, if the chips fall, he’ll be in competition.”
The Scottie Scheffler query
Does Scottie Scheffler win this for a second time?
Perhaps simply, contemplating the poorer type of different stars this yr?
Final week, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee considered a risk, tweeting this:
““This can do one among two issues for my part. It should both make this yr’s Masters… huge open or an absolute cake stroll for Scottie Scheffler.”
The Brooks Koepka query
Koepka’s completed runner-up right here twice, together with final yr. He’s received three PGAs, together with one a month after the 2024 Masters. He’s received two U.S. Opens.
Is that this the yr?
What does he suppose? Final week, forward of his occasion for LIV, he stated this:
“I at all times thought I used to be going to win. Like I stated I stated, I can run down these numbers. Statistically, it’s your finest likelihood to win a serious.”
There you go.
The Fred {Couples} query
Fred {Couples}, the ’92 winner, is again. However what number of extra does the sublime-swinging 64-year-old have left in him?
It was {Couples} who was questioning about his future a number of weeks in the past. Perpetually he’s been combating again issues.
“I’ve some hand-picked ones,” {Couples} stated. “I’ll play in Newport as a result of I can get round there, I’ll play right here, I’d go as much as Pebble and play. However I’m not going to journey round and play — I’ve truly felt OK in Hawaii and in Naples, however I simply, I can’t — I’m so afraid to harm myself by working towards for a pair hours and I don’t really feel nicely.
How Will Zalatoris and Tiger Woods have bonded over hardship
“Once I was 35, it took me a very long time to determine: OK, what do I’ve to take action once I’m 36 that I can get by means of these 18 tournaments? Now that I’m 64, my purpose is to not come play a golf match and really feel unhealthy and end forty fifth. That’s not a lot enjoyable. I’m not saying there’s something mistaken with it, however I’m previous that.
“So I’ll play a handful of tournaments and play with my buddies and revel in golf.”
The newcomer query
Wish to perceive the gravity of the Masters? Wish to see among the biggest professionals on the earth look bug-eyed?
Discover a beginner.
Factor is, although, first-timers don’t win at Augusta Nationwide; solely Fuzzy Zoeller has. It takes some time to be taught the joint.
Factor is, although, this yr’s group is electrical. Ludvig Aberg, a famous person within the making. Wyndham Clark, final yr’s U.S. Open winner — who stated he would by no means play Augusta till he earned his spot. Nick Dunlap, who turned professional after successful in January. Nicolai Hojgaard, a Ryder Cupper. Eric Cole, a rookie on the age of 35. Jake Knapp, proprietor of one of many smoothest strikes you’ll see. Akshay Bhatia, final week’s winner on the PGA Tour who additionally as soon as performed within the Drive, Chip and Putt occasion right here. Matthieu Pavon. Matthieu Pavon? He was a winner on the Farmers Insurance coverage earlier this yr, however his story is one thing and we’ll have extra on these pages within the coming days.
The Jasper Stubbs query
How does real-life Augusta examine to video-game Augusta Nationwide? Beginner Jasper Stubbs, the Asia-Pacific Beginner Championship, is a wizard on the latter, and this story is a enjoyable learn.
The meals query
What a 15 handicap would shoot at Augusta Nationwide, in accordance with Masters champs
How will Jon Rahm’s Champions Dinner style? (It’s right here the place we should inform you to click on over the profile of the meal’s chef, Jose Andres, splendidly woven by GOLF’s James Colgan.)
Additionally how will Rahm’s speech go? He’s famous that’s made him extra nervous than anything in his title reign.
However most significantly, how are the sandwiches this yr? (The writer has already had the membership as of this writing.)
Just a few different questions
Does the Masters pair Patrick Cantlay with Koepka after Koepka’s slow-play feedback from a yr in the past?
Does the Masters pair Koepka with Gary Woodland after the club-information incident?
How will Rickie Fowler fare in his first Masters since 2020? And what about Camilo Villegas, who’s enjoying in his first Masters since 2015? And what about Will Zalatoris, who WD’d earlier than the beginning of final yr’s first spherical because of harm? And Danny Willett, who underwent shoulder surgical procedure following the BMW PGA Championship in September?
And what about Stewart Hagestad? The newbie is impressively making his third Masters look.
And what about Christo Lamprecht? He’s 6-foot-8, you realize.
And what about Mickelson? He tied for second final yr.
And what about Joaquin Niemann? The LIVer obtained a particular invite after robust showings — outdoors of LIV.
How will Adam Schenk look come Tuesday? His Purdue Boilermakers performed for the lads’s basketball championship on Monday night time.
The solutions
These come Thursday by means of Sunday.
