Clampett Apologizes For Racial Slur; No Contrition Yet For Repeated Hogan's Bridge References

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Considering that his is a man who used to use "jizz" to describe spin and mentioned someone almost "bottomed out" in lieu of hole in one, why am I not surprised that Bobby Clampett used a description for Wen-Chong Liang that only Morty Seinfeld uses.

Michael David Smith reports on his apology and also questions the wording of the apology in this AOL FanHouse post.

Clampett has been working Amen Corner the last two days, and his commentary can be heard both online and on DirecTV. He used the "chinaman" slur while describing Liang's round and explaining that he will not make the cut.

"It has been a privilege to be here with you the last 2 days describing action of all of the players. In describing the Asian player Wen-Chong Liang if I offended anybody please accept me sincere apologies."

"This course is so vastly different [from other courses] in so many ways"

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Somehow I missed this really excellent Lorne Rubenstein piece from Thursday before the first round unfolded.

Crenshaw played yesterday with Jim Furyk and Mike Weir, who is increasingly interested in course design. At one point, Crenshaw and Weir stood on the rear left of the 10th green. Crenshaw was gesturing toward various areas as though he were a teacher explaining things to a student. He continued to instruct as they walked to the 11th tee.

When they were finished a couple of hours later, Crenshaw was delighted to chat about Augusta National. He stood behind the 18th green and offered what amounted to a scholarly analysis of the place: where it was, and where it is.

"This course is so vastly different [from other courses] in so many ways," Crenshaw said.

"When you start narrowing the corridors so much, you feel like the test is like another course. There's never been a more strategic course than this one, in that it makes you really think and plan an angle of attack."

Crenshaw, like any player who really understands architecture, rues the lessened importance of strategic golf. He emphasized that the elements still remain when the course plays fast and firm so that the ball bounces, but even then not nearly as much as he'd like and as was once the case.
And...

 

Augusta National's course consultant, Tom Fazio, has supervised the changes. He claims that the course needs some rough and added length.

"I disagree with that notion," Crenshaw said of the idea that golfers don't play the angles any more. "To play some of these pins, you want to be on one side or the other. You want to go this way or that way, either off the tee or into the green.

"There's no doubt that Augusta National and courses all over the world have to do something in defence of their course, with the way that these guys can play and the way that the ruling bodies let equipment go," Crenshaw added. "It's a Catch-22. I understand what they've done. But a place like this, it's a thinking test."

The same day, Bill Huffman quoted Ben this way:

“It plays much harder,” Crenshaw noted. “My only question is: Is it as interesting as it used to be or can be?

“In other words, the top players who have a chance, how do they play the course? Do they play it more defensively now, because there’s so much more golf course?”


Round Two Thoughts

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Wow, 5 hours and 37 minutes later for the last group, what a strange day. Thankfully the course was vulnerable in the morning, making for great Amen Corner Live viewing. Unfortunately the afternoon provided more defensive golf with the combo of breeze, drying conditions and slow play.

Tiger seems nicely positioned, as does Phil. The ingredients are there for a classic, hopefully the weather will cooperate. Oh, and that the course setup will make it about the players and not themselves. Today was a nice first step.

Your thoughts? 

PS - I'll be doing a live blog of the weekend rounds so come on by and post away. 

"I have to address or look at the round differently starting out."

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Phil Mickelson, after his second round 68 got him within three of Masters leader Immelman.

Q. Is it still fun playing this golf course or is it a grind?

PHIL MICKELSON: Well, it's changed. I mean, it's changed. It's always fun, don't get me wrong. It's always fun to come play here, but after the changes a few years ago, we don't see the same type of excitement and birdies that we're used to seeing.

And because of that, we have to -- I have to address or look at the round differently starting out. I can't think about it in aggressive terms. I have to kind of pick and choose what holes I can try to make birdies on. Like I said earlier, I hit some good shots to spots where I can make easy pars but really not good birdies.

 

Trevor Immelman's Press Center Visits

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Here's leader Trevor Immelman's post round chat today where the slingers grill him about his tumor. Yesterday, the topic was taboo for one writer who didn't know what was up:

Q. When you were talking with Mike Tirico, you made reference to some stuff going on in your personal life; can you elaborate more?
TREVOR IMMELMAN: Well, it's an extremely long story that we would probably be here until nine o'clock, so I'm not going to go through --
RONALD TOWNSEND: Next question --
TREVOR IMMELMAN: The whole thing. (Laughter) but I'm sure some of the other reporters would be happy to fill you in.

ESPN.com shares this video of his chat today, as well as highlighy footage:

 

"The lack of any traffic, really?"

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Over on the Golfweek Masters blog, Scott Hamilton wonders...

What’s the deal with the lack of foot traffic along Washington Road today? The lack of any traffic, really?

Sure the street that passes directly in front of Augusta National Golf Club still has more cars on it than a three-brand auto mall along a South Carolina interstate. And, yes, those cars are creeping along at a glacial pace.

But it’s Friday at the Masters and the vibe feels anything but Masterslike. There’s little buzz along the sidewalks – which are far from packed – and the various vendors set up along Washington Road don’t appear to be getting much business. That includes the stand selling various golf photos and – for whatever reason – a picture of Mickey Mantle (and it was set up in the center of a display, no less).

The guy getting the most business was the man preaching to anybody within earshot. But that’s because he was smart enough to set up near a pair of crosswalks in order to secure a captive audience.

It may be quiet now, but Tiger Woods isn’t on the course yet. Gotta think business is about to pick up.

Those of us viewing at home are even more startled by how the property begins to empty out around 5 p.m. 

Makes you wonder if they could offer a new badge that allows patrons willing to stay late on Thursday and Friday to enter the gates after 2 p.m.? If nothing else, to fill some of those empty seats.

"To be coming into these greens with woods, it is not designed that way is it? "

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Ben Crenshaw had a 3 wood into 18 and after hitting his approach into the left bunker, Nick Faldo snickered sympathetically and said, "it's a bit cheeky to be calling Ben an old timer, but to be coming into these greens with woods, it is not designed that way is it?"

Jim Nantz wanted no part of that and started reminding us about Carl Jackson and Ben's embrace in 1995! 

"Before, there was always a little cherry dangling."

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Sandy Lyle talked to Mike Aitken after his openign round and Lyle offered this on the course after his opening 72:

"They've taken away a lot of choices," he volunteers. "Before, there was always a little cherry dangling. For instance, on the first hole it was 265 yards over the bunker, so you looked at the wind, at the pin position, and decided whether to go for it. If it came off you got your reward. Now it's 320 yards to carry that bunker, and it's scary. So I think they've spoilt the course a little bit and, although it doesn't necessarily play into the hands of the long hitters – no one would describe Zach Johnson, last year's winner, as long – it means fewer guys can be competitive out here."

And the search continues for someone praising the direction the golf course has gone in. 

Butler Cabin Fireplace Watch

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Last year I live blogged round 1 and noted that the Butler Cabin fireplace looked like it had been doubling as the town crematorium.

Each day it's blackened stone supports progressively improved and we noted it here and here. I considered the club's urgent response a landmark moment, but probably a rough week for someone in Augusta National housekeeping.

This year it looks just as blackened, so this time I took a photo. Let's see if they break out the cleaning crews by Sunday.

 2008Masters1Fireplace.jpg

 

"It would suck to have to come out at 8 and we've got a 10:45."

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At the 6 p.m reset with music and Jim Nantz waxing on about day one, the crane shot captures Phil Mickelson crossing the bridge, setting up Nantz to ask us to consider all of the greats who have crossed the Hogan Bridge. The music was turned down and as Phil's crossing, he's deep in conversation with Bones and says: "It would suck to have to come out at 8 and we've got a 10:45."

So I think it's safe to say Phil wants to finish the round today. 

"You don't really shoot low rounds here anymore."

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Mike Tirico left his post at Butler Cabin to talk to Tiger Woods after his even par 72. (Zach Johnson and Justin Rose came into Butler.)

A few of Tiger's notable comments:

"You don't really shoot low rounds here anymore. You've just got to plod along."

And...

"It's playing more like a U.S. Open than a Masters."

He also noted he only heard one roar. Other than that he loves the changes!

No. 11 and Bobby

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11.jpgAmen Corner live is much improved and amazing production feat. The images, the quality of the media player and the...well, there is the announcing.

Bobby Clampett manned the booth for the first four hours. Now, I can deal with the Hogan's Bridge references. I can deal mentions of Brett Wetterich's great impact dynamics. And I certainly get a big chuckle out of Bobby's bottom obsession ("swing bottom" "forward swing bottom" and shots "almost bottomed out").

I can even deal with Bobby thinking that Zach Johnson has taken the lead right before his eyes, followed by a two shot lead when a quick glance at the leaderboard says otherwise.

Oh, and I can even handle the blatant sucking up to the "committee" when discussing the changes to No. 11.

What I can't deal with is his ignorance and direspect for the strategic design school that made Augusta National special.

Clampett complimented the ridiculous planting of trees down the right side of No. 11 because the ideal angle of approach (in his view) is from the left side. This corporate mentality of closing out the account because no one is buying the product seems fitting these days, but completely ignorant of what subtle, democratic and strategic design is about.

In the old configuration you were free to choose your angle of attack, Neither angle was easy.

Now let's say Bobby is correct and the left side is the preferred angle. Why would you want to close off the less idea angle if someone wants to take it?

Shouldn't their stupidity be encouraged and the intelligent play rewarded?

Isn't that more interesting than taking away liberties and telling players where to play?

Not in Bobby Clampett's mind.