Augusta National Hasn't Decided What To Do Post-Ike's Tree

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Chairman Billy Payne visited the media center for his annual State of the Masters press conference and talked about the club's plans for replacing the befallen loblollly. I summed up the Ike's Tree component here for GolfDigest.com

I did find it surprising that in answer to my question about suggestions he has received from armchair architect golfers, Mr. Payne said that no one has said anything to him.

Q.  Golfers are notorious armchair architects.  I'm wondering if you've received many suggestions for what to do with the Eisenhower Tree and maybe what was the most interesting that you have received.

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  I have not.  I have read a lot that y'all have written about the subject and quotes from other players, but nobody's made a direct suggestion to me about it.

Alex Miceli wrote about the press conference and the continued afterglow of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.

Bob Harig covered Payne's answers related to possible walking rules officials in the wake of last year's Tiger drop mess.

Finally! Scripting Of Masters Outfits Gets Proper Parody

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You'd have to be working hard not to see all of the Tweets and stories previewing what Jordan Spieth or Rickie Fowler will be wearing this week at the Masters.

So a very nice job by Tim Herron and his friends at Bogey Pro for finally doing what needed to be done: a send up of the out-of-control pre-Masters announcements of player outfit “scripting”. Herron, not playing in the Masters, tweeted what he'll be wearing around the house this week.

Ryan Herrington reports.

The Tweet:

Merchandise Addendum...The MacKenzie Plan!

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The Drive, Chip and Putt merchandise was taken out of the Masters merchandise pavillion for Tuesday and while my initial review still stands, there was this in its place and for just $25. Some might call it an ashtray, but my receipt says glass tray.

And yes, that's an Alister MacKenzie early plan for the course. We have a winner!

A First Look Around Augusta National

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It's pouring, so I neglected to get into how dry and immaculate the course appears (Nick Masuda on the 10 am closure).

Instead, reports of shredding and other dire descriptions (Jim McCabe talked to past champs Sunday) had me expecting the worst when taking a Monday morning tour of Augusta National. It turns out that yes, a lot of trees suffered damage but in general, the place still looks beautiful and dare I say the damage did some good on  the 7th and 17th holes?

I did.

Here's the full report (including flora and fauna), with images of the 17th and the 12th.