DVR Alert: Nantz Remembers Crenshaw At The Masters

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Glad I set the DVR before I left since the Nantz Remembers have never been anything but excellent and this one figures to be special.

For Immediate Release:

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR FEATURES
“JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS®”
ON SUNDAY, APRIL 14
 
CBS Sports broadcasts a CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR special JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS

AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS® on Sunday, April 14 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.   Jim Nantz, this year covering his 28th Masters for CBS Sports, and 26th as host, looks back at the career of one of the tournament’s most revered champions, Ben Crenshaw. 
 
From his debut in 1973 when he finished as low amateur, his first green jacket in 1984, and his emotional triumph in 1995, Crenshaw's journey has been a remarkable ride.  It all began in Austin, Texas where he learned the game from one of its greatest teachers, Harvey Penick.  The bond that developed between the two men was a love that carried beyond the golf course, and in one magical week in 1995 they showed the world what love could do.
 
“Ben Crenshaw embodies the history of golf and this tournament,” said Nantz.  “He learned the game from one of its greatest teachers.  His emotional Masters win in 1995 became the ultimate tribute to his mentor who had passed away earlier that week.” 
 
The one-hour special includes a conversation with Crenshaw as he joins Nantz in looking back at his memorable moments and glorious triumphs at Augusta.
 
JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS is produced and directed by Chris Svendsen.  The Executive Producer is Jim Nantz.

Chairman Payne's Announcements: Cut Change, PGA Tour Winners

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Ryan Herrington has the details on the main annoucements Wednesday from Masters Chairman Blly Payne, namely an increase in the number of players making it to the weekend (44 and ties to 50 and ties), exemptions for PGA Tour winners of fall events and modifying of other exemptions from the U.S. Open and PGA Tour money list.

Chairman Payne: "We hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."

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The press room consensus felt Masters Chairman Billy Payne's Wednesday comments on the proposed anchoring ban sealed the deal for the governing bodies. I did not read them that way and a few of my colleagues were equally hung up on the words "common ground."

Golf Channel's Randall Mell summarizes the anchoring portion of the proceedings here.

The questions and comments, starting with Scott Michaux's question:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, there was a long comment period from the USGA and the R&A about the anchored putting situation that didn't include this press conference in that time period, but everybody else, all of the other governing bodies and associations have sort of expressed their opinions.  What is the Club's opinion on the anchored putting?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  First, Scott, we are not a governing body.  We are a golf club that puts on a tournament, so we wouldn't be presumptuous to say that we have that kind of influence.

Given the fact that the ruling bodies have not yet declared a decision following that open comment period, I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion; other than to say, other than to say, that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules.

And my attempt at a follow up:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, you said it would be inappropriate to comment on the anchoring, the proposed anchoring ban.  Does that mean that you endorse the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf so that if they were to go forward with the ban, you would support?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  That means, sir, what I said, and that is that we hope and believe that common ground will be achieved so that only one set of rules governs the game of golf.

Common ground, for me, translates as a compromise somewhere between the current USGA and R&A position of a 2016 ban on anchoring, and the PGA Tour/PGA of America position that this ban is bad for the game.

A longer grandfathering-in period beyond 2016? A shorter period until 14-b becomes the rule? A local rule option?

I will also note that the only tension during the entire press conference came when this topic was brought up. Clearly, this has caused consternation for the Chairman, who knew this would be asked because the club had deferred comment until this week. So the answer surprises me if nothing else for the lack of a position after every major golf organization took a stance on the proposed band. So what exactly bothers the chairman, who was in an otherwise excellent mood, remains a mystery.

Masters Tuesday This And That...Mostly That

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Not much to report from the golf course from Monday to Tuesday, but I did offer some thoughts in this Golf World Daily item about who it might favor. Hint: stick with your long hitter instincts.

A few photos from yesterday as we prepare here for Chairman Payne's press conference at 11 a.m. ET.

One Stop Shop For Masters Predictions

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The golf world has been a bit slow to adopt the handicapping game and fantasy league world, so as usual, Masters pool picking advice has been hard to come by. Wednesday figures to see an onslaught of advice, so I'll post follow-ups from various publications.

For the cynical predictions of the week, Gary Van Sickle does his thing quite well here.

* Who will be the first to mention Grand Slam if (or when) Tiger Woods wins? Oh. Me, I guess, since I just did. Tiger will field a Grand Slam question in the winner's press conference, if he's there - that's an iron-clad guarantee.

Alex Miceli posts the latest Masters odds for those wondering what the professionals think.

At GolfDigest.com, four of us held a mock draft and fittingly, Tiger went first, Phil went second and most of the world top 10 were taken. Still, I think everyone makes strong cases for their selections beyond the obvious reasons.

For value seekers, Sean Martin's sleeper picks include synopses and justification for picking the players.

Traveling With Tianlang

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Gene Wojciechowski travels from Somewhere Near Kunming, China to Augusta and back to trail Tianlang Guan on the way to Augusta for the 14-year-old's appearance this week.

It's long, but fun:

After his round (followed by a long session on the putting green), we meet for dinner in the resort dining room. I hand Tianlang a 2012 Masters Annual that I brought from home (Augusta National sends one each year to writers covering the tournament). He thumbs slowly through the pages, as if he's memorizing each photo, story, stat and yardage.

The dinner group includes Tianlang, his father, a media relations consultant from Hong Kong, our ESPN crew of five and a "fixer" (part interpreter, part problem-solver). There is probably someone else at the table, but I can't remember after the drink toasts.

I've never done shots of jet fuel, but if I did, I think it would taste like Chinese vodka. Mr. Guan keeps standing up and offering toasts. Our interpreter says it would be impolite and a loss of face for Mr. Guan if we don't take part.

So three or four shots later, I'm cracking wise, yukking it up to the Guans. That's when the interpreter leans over and says discreetly, "Mr. Guan does not understand your particular sense of humor."

There is a short video bit accompanying the book, err, piece:

Phil On Augusta's Greens: "Nothing scary like they used to be."

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Very interesting stuff from Phil Mickelson in response to yours truly asking about the condition of Augusta National, the firmness of the course, the shift from Wednesday to Thursday, and how Augusta National isn't has scary as it used to be.

I think it's (A) a statement about how fast regular tour stop greens have been getting, and (B) a product of the recent attempts to reintroduce drama and scoring.

Anyway, Phil, take it away...

Q.  You mentioned that the course is closer to tournament conditions; do you think we'll see a little less of that kind of flip of the switch from Wednesday to Thursday?  And also, the fairways look like they are a little bit thicker, lusher; do you think that's going to have an impact on how things play out?

PHIL MICKELSON:  So the grass is in incredible shape.  It's probably ‑‑ I mean, every year we come out and talk about how pristine Augusta is, but the reason I believe this is the best I've ever seen it is the areas that over the years have historically given problems or been thin, like the fairway shot on 13, even around the green on 12, where you don't get as much sun exposure, these are perfect.  The areas that have historically had problems are not having a problem this year.  They are perfect.

But as far as that switch you talk about going from Wednesday or Thursday, there has not been a switch in five years.  We make bigger divots on these greens than we make on the regular PGA TOUR.  These greens are softer than what we play week‑in and week‑out.  They are slightly faster, but nothing scary like they used to be.  They are more undulated but they are maybe a foot faster than what we play on the TOUR.  And quite honestly, they have been softer the last five years than anything we play on TOUR other than Pebble or something like that.

Fighting words! Does a certain three-time champion want the greens a little firmer, perhaps?

So when we used to have to know the course and know how the ball was going to be running and feeding, the ball doesn't run.  We are hitting 6‑irons that are stopping within a foot.  It's historically, like I say, only been the last five years, there's been no switch on Thursday and the greens have been soft.  You can fire at a lot of these pins without any fear.  I mean, I'm backing it up on some of those holes that I've never backed it up on.

So that fear factor has not been there, and I don't anticipate them going back to the way we expect.  I think it's going to stay kind of soft.

Punters: Masters Pairings And The Forecast

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The latest forecast (4:45 ET Tuesday) calls for Thursday afternoon winds of 10-15 mph gusting to 20, with a 40% chance of scattered late afternoon thunderstorms. Thursday night calls for "rain and thunderstorms likely," with winds gusting to 30 mph.

Friday calls for morning clouds, chance of showers and t-storms, with clearing in the afternoon, winds 10-20, gusting 25-30.

What does this all mean for any potential tee time draw? I have no idea, but here are those groups and here's a quick take on the marquee pairings.

Day: Let The Patrons In Just A Tad Earlier

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Guy Yocom talked to players about things they'd change at the Masters and as you'd expect for the world's best run sporting event, they struggled to come up with much criticism.

However, Jason Day did make one very good suggestion to the Lords of Augusta: let the fans in earlier.

While this isn't a big deal, as he notes, on Thursday when the Palmer, Nicklaus and Player trio makes their goosebump-inducing first tee cameo, the patrons have to move quickly to get a spot.

Let the fans through the gates just a little earlier, especially the first two rounds. I've been to the course early and have seen people racing to get to their favorite spot. I've heard that on Thursday, there's barely enough time for people to get in place to see the honorary starters. They're so excited, they don't want to miss a minute of anything. It's a long day, but for those who want to get there early, why not let them in?

Faldo: Probably Has Played His Last Masters

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The Augusta Chronicle's David Westin on the likelihood that we'll never see three-time winner Nick Faldo tee it up in the Masters again.

Faldo doesn’t plan to play in the next few years, and he won’t be one of those former champions who plays a “farewell” Masters in his golden years. Predictably, they shoot high scores in the first two rounds and miss the cut by a mile.

“I can’t see that,” Faldo said. “I couldn’t let myself go and shoot any number. It’s just not me. … If I keep my nose clean and keep my job at CBS, I’m quite happy to be here and doing that.

Faldo believes he could play in the Masters and still call the tournament for CBS later in the day.

“I could have, if I spoke very nicely” to Sean Mc­Manus, the chairman of CBS Sports, Faldo said.