Wednesday Masters Clippings

Much more fun today from the scribblers who unpacked and got to work filing entertaining stories. Before we get to the goods, don't forget to check in tomorrow at 3EST for the Par-3 Contest Live Blog. 

Doug Ferguson looks at the dream scenario of a Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson showdown.

They have kept different schedules this week - Mickelson playing early, Woods the late arrival with his most limited practice in his Masters career. They were one group apart Sunday afternoon when both arrived at Augusta and played the front nine.

"Tiger and Phil are out there playing," one of the club members said before adding with a smile, "Not together, obviously."

Golf365 says Tiger turned down Rory McIlroy for a practice round. Or at least, has avoided him in some clever way. 

Lawrence Donegan on Tiger: "Certainly the bookies have few doubts, making Woods 12-5 favourite, while the man himself is wearing an air of confidence that is as bulging as his physique."

Steve Elling also looks at Tiger and a Grand Slam quest, and recounts a funny story from Jack Nicklaus about a congratulatory call he made to Tiger after Torrey Pines.

Tiger posted a new website entry and confirms he will be skipping the Par-3 Contest because it takes too bloody long because he plays early and needs to rest up for round 1.

I will likely skip the par-3 Tournament on Wednesday. I played in it about every year until 2005. You play a practice round in the morning, then sit around for your tee time. It just becomes a long day and takes away from your main preparation. I'm sure there will be a day when I come back and play, especially when Sam and Charlie get a little older and can caddie for me.

THE GOLF COURSE

Cam Cole in the Vancouver Sun blisters Hootie Johnson's reign over the course, using words like abomination, crime perpetrated and misguided, featuring a couple of interesting player quotes:

“I’m coming to believe this is more like a U.S. Open course every year,” said Steve Stricker. 

 And... 

“Bland might be too strong a word, but probably it has become a little like that,” 2003 champion Mike Weir, of Bright’s Grove, Ont., said Monday. “I was watching the ’86 Masters (Jack Nicklaus’s sixth win) last night, birdies and eagles flying everywhere, and you know, just the way the course is set up now, mowing patterns and everything, just makes it hard for that to happen.”

Daniel Wexler offers a link to Google Earth's aerial of the course, which is always fun to look at.

PAIRINGS AND AMATEURS 

The Golfweek staff breaks down the pairings.

U.S. Am Pub Links winner Jack Newman is doing a diary at GolfDigest.com and talks about why he's going to only stay in the Crow's Nest early in the week.

Drew Kittleson's Masters.com diary is here, with plenty about his round with Phil Mickelson and Phil's invitation to take Drew and dad to the Champions Locker Room for lunch. And you have to love this:

Dinner Tuesday night was back in the clubhouse. I’m going to eat there as much as possible. I mean, I can have dinner with my dad any time, but I can’t always eat at Augusta National. 

GREG NORMAN

Easily the best material today comes in the Norman stories. While I haven't gotten to John Garrity's lengthy profile of Norman yet, these are also worth a look.

Leonard Shapiro writes:

when Norman steps on the first tee Thursday, an expected sonic boom roar from hundreds all around when his name is announced surely will summon some special memories, and, he keeps saying, none of the old agony.

"I love the tradition and the heritage at Augusta," Normans said. "I love the way the establishment is up there, their rules and their positions and their implementations.

Larry Dorman in the New York Times:

He has been slapped on the back by Tom Watson, welcomed back by Tiger Woods, encouraged by players in the locker room saying, “Hey, play well, play well, play well,” Norman said.

“I know in the ’80s, they were not coming up to me and saying, ‘Hey, Greg, play well.’ That’s for sure.”

Melanie Hauser on Team Norman clicking on all cylinders. 

This potential last moment in Augusta’s setting sun is a family affair. Yes, the focus is on the man who people love here for what hasn’t happened, but he’s made this about Gregory and Chrissie too. They’re a team, going everywhere as a trio, except for a dinner with President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara. Gregory wasn’t invited.

Here is Norman's interview from Tuesday, with both video and transcript options.

The other interviews, including Ogilvy, Harrington, Ishikawa, Immelman, Lee, Villegas, Woods and Mickelson can be viewed here.

DANNY LEE

Jim McCabe considers Lee's retro move to hire local caddy Matt Fuzy along with the history of players using club loopers.

Steve Keating profiles Lee, who is proud to be staying the Crow's Nest, "sleeping where Tiger slept."

MISCELLANY

The Internet Writer Of The Year selects his favorite Masters. 

Steve Elling offers his Up and Down thoughts on a bit of everything, including one about the Internet Writer Of The Year

The official site includes Tuesday notes, topped off by this one:

For more than 40 years, two-time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw has carried the nickname, ‘Gentle Ben,’ thanks to Austin, Texas sportswriter Dick Collins. Tuesday at Augusta National, it was time for Crenshaw to pay him back.

Crenshaw provided Collins, now retired, tickets for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays practice rounds, giving Collins his first-ever look at Augusta National Golf Club.

“All those years, the newspaper would never send me,” said Collins. “Even when Ben and Tom (Kite) were winning, they didn’t let me go anywhere. Ben provided me tickets this year to see it for the first time. It’s wonderful.” 

Peter Bills on Peter Alliss covering the Masters for BBC:

“I never made the cut at Augusta and soon came to the same conclusion as the others, it was too expensive to come over here. It used to take about three days to get here in those days”.

He smiled. “How things have changed, eh; there wouldn't be many modern day players who would turn down an invitation.”

Somehow, it would be hard to imagine a Masters at Augusta National without the avuncular Alliss' dulcet tones, and delightful commentaries. Listening to him again this week will be a major highlight for television viewers around the world.

PICKS 

Mike Vitti's PGA Tour power rankings with one sleeper pick who is getting no ink so far, Nick Watney.

Golfweek offers "sleeper" picks and a really annoying Nike ad, so turn down your volume if you are at the office.

The Sand Trap offers their picks with winning scores.

FLORA, FAUNA

Jim Huber wonders out loud how the Augusta National grounds crew gets the azaleas to bloom right on time.

Doug Ferguson on the mystique, history and rules surrounding the green jacket.

Immelman was playing in Asia last year when he landed in Japan. He carried the green jacket in a suit bag, but it wasn't long before some golf fans recognized him, and realized what was in the bag. He said they began to cry.

"The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the mystique that goes along, and the history that goes along with Augusta National is just something that not many sports have," he said. "That was a cool feeling, and something nice to be part of."

Asher Wildman takes us on a video tour of the inexpensive and tasty food at Augusta.

And finally, the Augusta Chronicle's extensive photo gallery is great fun.