Previewing The Masters Tournament
It is widely referred to as the biggest golf tournament on the PGA Tour Season. While people might debate that, there is no debate that the tradition involved in The Masters is incredibly unique to Augusta National. From the famed green jacket, to the azaleas, Amen’s Corner, the pimento cheese sandwiches, and the Wednesday Par 3 Contest, The Masters is full of rich tradition both inside and outside of the ropes. Just like every year, this year’s first major is filled with the top golfers in the world. Here is a look into the field, including some of the local golfers that are participating.
Tiger Woods (Medalist)- Woods has recorded four of his 14 major victories at Augusta Nation but has not won a major since his last Masters win in 2005. After re-working his game over the past few years he appears to be back to his old ways with three tour wins already to his name this year. The odds on favorite to win the tournament, Woods has never missed a cut at Augusta as a pro. If he can continue to dominate on the greens it will be hard for anyone to prevent him from winning major number 15.
Rory Mcllroy- Mcllroy has quickly won two majors already in his relatively young professional career, but he is still haunted by his finish at Augusta in 2011. The Palm Beach Gardens resident has had a rough start to the season but has put together two good weeks of golf including a second place finish last week at the Valero Texas Open. It was at that event that he recorded his first round of the season where he shot under 70 and seems to be getting his game back just at the right time. He will look to make people forget about 2011 this week as he goes for his first green jacket.
Charl Schwartzel- After Bubba Watson’s historical win last year, a lot of people forget that Schwartzel has a green jacket of his own. The 2011 Masters champion and Old Palm Resident enters this weekend having quietly recorded 12 consecutive top 25 finishes. Schwartzel will look to continue his impressive play this week as he looks for his second career major win.
Lee Westwood- Schwartzel’s neighbor in Old Palm, Westwood has had a lot of success at Augusta National. In his last three trips to The Masters, Westwood was finished third, 11th, and second. He has finished in the top five nine times, included twice at Augusta and will look to finally win his first career major. With his 40th birthday just two weeks away, the green jacket might just be the perfect gift.
Louis Oosthuizen (Old Palm)- Last year’s runner up to Watson, Oosthuizen did receive a crystal bowl to commemorate his 2 on the par-five second hole. Oosthuzien will look to forget about the playoff loss from last year as he looks to win his second career major.
Bubba Watson- The defending Masters champion has not won on tour since his historic win at Augusta last year. He has had a lot going on though as he and his wife adopted a son, started a family, and even moved into Tiger’s old house in Orlando. Watson will look to add to the list of Woods, Nick Faldo and North Palm Beach resident Jack Nicklaus and become only the fourth person ever to successfully defend his Masters title.
The Masters is played Thursday through Sunday with the Par 3 Contest played on Wednesday. For full masters coverage visit www.pgatour.com.
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