The Masters. 2009 Edition

[Sir_Winston54]

From the Lucetich article on yesterday's round (Faux Sports):

(Tiger)
"It's not like I haven't been in this position before."
Funny he should say that. He's shot 70 in the first round here three previous times — 1997, 2001 and 2002.
He won each time.​

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Looks like Player is done. There won't be a dry eye on 18 when he comes through.

He'll be missed, for sure. Class act for more than half a century.

From Wiki, a few points about his career for those unfamiliar with "the Black Knight:"

• Although his father was often away from home working in the gold mines, he did manage to take a loan in order to buy a set of clubs for his son Gary to begin playing golf. At the age of 14 Player played his first round of golf and parred the first three holes.
• Player is one of the most successful golfers in the history of the sport, ranking third (behind Roberto de Vicenzo and Sam Snead) in total professional wins, with at least a hundred and sixty-six, and tied for fourth in major championship victories with nine.
• Player was ever-present in the top ten of Mark McCormack's world golf rankings from their inception in 1968 until 1981; he was ranked second on those rankings in 1969, 1970 and 1972, each time behind Jack Nicklaus, and had those rankings been based on just the most recent two seasons (like their modern counterpart) Player would have been number one in 1969.
• In 1966, Gary Player was awarded the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and "Gary Player — A Global Journey" exhibition launched by the Hall of Fame as of March, 2006.
• In 2000, Player was ranked as the eighth greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine.

 

[WriterDom]

Gary was a little guy who knew he had to pump iron and stay in shape to keep up with Jack and the other big hitters. This was back when few people did workout hard and the standard belief at the time was that it would hurt your golf game. Now look at Tiger. He's fucking huge.

 

[Homburg]

Gary was a little guy who knew he had to pump iron and stay in shape to keep up with Jack and the other big hitters. This was back when few people did workout hard and the standard belief at the time was that it would hurt your golf game. Now look at Tiger. He's fucking huge.

Thank sports science for that. Constant study and experimentation have shown all sorts of interesting info on muscle and performance, and how proper lifting can wildly enhance that snap that you need in so many sports.

 

[naxalite0906]

http://www.gamblerspalace.com/lines/u.s_masters_odds_to_win

The oddsmakers are giving Tiger the edge with Phil second. But with golf, anything can happen.

I work for some and we had tiger as huge favourite. After two rounds it looks like the odds compilers were wrong.

But like was said, with tiger you have no choice but to be so short a price with him.

 

[WriterDom]

I wouldn't count Tiger out. But he needs a 67 or 68 tomorrow.

 

[WriterDom]

Holy shit. Three man playoff.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I really wanted to see Kenny Perry prove that we old farts are a force to be reckoned with... and feared. Chit.

 

[WriterDom]

I really wanted to see Kenny Perry prove that we old farts are a force to be reckoned with... and feared. Chit.

A lot of us felt that way. Golf is a very tragic game. It's like falling in love with a beautiful woman. You know damn well she'll break your heart but you can't stop yourself.

 

[naxalite0906]

That was one of the best/most exciting days golf I have seen. Both Tiger and Mick put on a wonderful show, as did the three players who ended up involved in the play off. I couldn't believe Angel won it after his shakey round. Shame Perry let it slip away too..