The 2018 Masters, Final Round This And That

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Will Ricky and Carley Bobby become part of Masters lore Sunday, or will the Jean Girard in this drama become the sixth player to complete the modern Grand Slam. Or did they peak, opening up a chance for someone to come from far back?

It's a tradition unlike any other and the hole locations for Sunday's 2018 Masters final round appear...traditional. Here are five things we learned from Saturday, including insights on a tee shot distance disparity between the leaders, Rory as a mudder and Reed's streakiness.

It's 2-2 at Golfweek in picking a winner.

As Rex Hoggard writes for GolfChannel.com, this one is likely about Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy and fistrionics. But who has more pressure, Joel Beall considers that for GolfDigest.com in a match play format.

Beth Ann Nichols has the Reed angle covered after his Saturday 66.

Eamon Lynch points out the redemption factor for Rory McIlroy and the other intangibles his potentially historic day. Alan Shipnuck reminds us that Mclroy currently fits into that class of players who should absolutely have won the Masters and have not. 

Ian O'Connor talks to a former Reed instructor who explains how Reed's inspiration has always been 

And remember what the Forecaddie reported, Ricky Bobby will be deprived of his power color.

Jon Rahm moved into contention with a 65 and credits how he paced himself coming in along with a driver head change, writes GolfChannel.com's Ryan Lavner.

It wasn't all bad for Tiger, whose 72 and made cut likely has him landing back in the world top 100, writes Bob Harig.

Make sure to read Doug Ghim's diary from his Saturday round with Bernhard Langer. Ghim will be low amateur and in Butler Cabin this evening. 

Happy 60th birthday to Amen Corner, writes Bill Fields for Masters.com.

Also, it’s the 70th anniversary day of Claude Harmon’s improbable win, writes Guy Yocom for Masters.com

Your Sunday tee times and TV Times. Remember Amen Corner Live should start around noon when Vijay Singh and Jeff Knox arrive. Yesterday, btw, member Knox was the only player to birdie the 11th hole. 

Sunday's 2018 final round hole locations look mostly similar to recent Sundays:

Chris Schenkel fans will love this introduction to Masters Sunday featuring vintage sound from the longtime broadcaster juxtaposed over today's scenes. 

Your Masters Sunday Mood Setters: The Mythical Green Jacket, Crenshaw On The Lonely 13th Tee & A Sunday Scene Setter

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If you missed it earlier this week Gene Wojciechowski filed this piece for ESPN's coverage on the Green Jacket, the most famous sports jacket on the planet which will be presented in the ceremony for the 70th time this year. 

For our story on the 13th hole, Ben Crenshaw spoke of the 13th tee and the completely unusual quiet the leaders face as they pursue the green jacket. 

And this from the official Masters social coverage, narrated by Jimmy Roberts.

Welcome to Sunday at #themasters.

A post shared by The Masters (@themasters) on

ESPN’s Friday Masters Telecast Up 50 Percent from 2017

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Thank you Tiger, who played in the afternoon:

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An average of 3.9 million people watched ESPN’s telecast of the second round of the Masters Tournament on Friday, the most-viewed Friday at the Masters since 2013 and an increase of 50 percent over last year’s audience of 2.6 million, according to Nielsen Fast National data.

The second round, which aired from 3 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. ET, ranks as the third most-viewed Friday since ESPN began airing the Masters in 2008.

In addition to being up 50 percent over 2017’s Friday audience, the telecast also was up 28 percent over the audience of 3.1 million for the second round in 2016.

Roundup: 2018 Masters Round Three This And That

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The phantom winds blew at Augusta National and baffled the players. I noted a few moments in this Golfweek roundup of things we learned from the day, and Ron Green Jr. covered it as well for Masters.com with more player comments. 

The wind, fast greens, tough hole locations and reachability of the par-5s led to rounds over five hours for the first few groups and 5:40 for the late groups.

Patrick Reed took the lead with a spectacular 66 that included three stretches of three birdies in a row, but it was his more conservative approach to the first hole, as suggested by his wife, that was of equal interest, reports Brentley Romine. 

Reed's college coach and swing coach Josh Gregory is not surprised by his performance, but he's also superstitious and leaving town as he had planned, writes Doug Stutsman.

Ian Poulter was put on the clock twice, and as Kevin Casey reports for Golfweek, he was not phased. 

Dan Kilbridge went the entire way with Tiger and reports on the day.

Michael Bamberger concludes that we should have listened to Tiger when he said a win this week would be a tall task.

Fred Couples made the cut again despite looking like he could WD at any minute, writes Dylan Dethier for Golf.com.

Mark O'Meara makes it official, the 1998 champion has played his last Masters, writes David Westin.

The updated odds for the weekend have 36-hole leader Patrick Reed at 5/2.

Martin Kaufmann feels we're not getting enough shot tracing. From what I've seen, it does not do a good job helping us see the ball as it falls from the sky. 

Brian Wacker on the scene at Augusta's airport. 

Your TV and tee times for Saturday:

Patrick Reed’s incredible round in 3 minutes:

Saturday’s hole locations look tough, again:

A fun look air the hats available here:

One of the best merchandise items this week...

2018 Masters First Round Viewership on ESPN Up 40% From 2017

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Pretty impressive bump given that Tiger Woods was not in the afternoon wave for the ESPN window.

Masters First Round Viewership on ESPN Up 40 Percent From 2017

Nearly three million viewers tuned in for ESPN’s telecast of the first round of the Masters Tournament on Thursday, an increase of 40 percent over the Thursday audience of last year, according to Nielsen Fast National data.

The telecast, which aired from 3 p.m. – 7:20 p.m. ET, averaged 2,971,287 viewers, up 40 percent from the 2,129,214 Thursday average in 2017 and up 24 percent from the 2016 Thursday average of 2,397,624.

The telecast ranked as the fourth-best Thursday since ESPN began airing the Masters Tournament in 2008, exceeded only by the years in which Tiger Woods was featured in Thursday coverage (2009, 2010 and 2015). Most of Woods’ round on Thursday had already been completed when ESPN’s telecast began.

The telecast also saw growth across all key demographics, with a 44 percent increase in persons 25-54.

2018 Masters Day One Quick Wrap, Round Two This And That

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Doug Ferguson's AP game story focuses on Jordan Spieth appearing comfortable in familiar surroundings.

Steve DiMeglio's USA Today gamer reminds us after day one, that this one still has the potential to live up to the hype.

Brentley Romine of Golfweek puts Spieth's intriguing admission that he'll always have demons here, but as Romine notes, as did Joel Beall at GolfDigest.com  it was also telling how confident Spieth appeared after his round.

His putting is back. That and a few other telling stats suggesting our champion will likely come from the top 10, I write in an item that also looks at a tighter cut at the 15th.

Tony Finau’s recovery from an ankle sprain fit neatly into his improbable life story, writes Ryan Lavner at GolfChannel.com.

Kevin Casey on Patrick Reed and Henrik Stenson bucking their Augusta National pasts with opening 69s.

Tiger Woods made a mess of the par-5s in an opening 73, writes Alan Shipnuck, who assesses the day as jittery. 

A bus driver has been charged with DUI after flipping a vehicle transporting Masters patrons from Atlanta. There were several serious injuries, reports the Augusta Chronicle's Susan McCord.

David Westin on covering his 40th Masters and the art of filing player diaries.

Dave Kindred talks to merchandise buyers on their way out and in Kindred fashion gets many to confess to their buying decisions. And dollars...invested in helping to improve the Masters.

The three-minute version of Jordan Spieth’s opening 66:

In nine of his 17 rounds here, Spieth has finished with the lead.

Round two featured groups coverage does not include Jordan Spieth (10:53 am ET), so you'll have to pick him up On The Range and then eventually on Amen Corner Live coverage starting around 10:30 am. ET.

The hole locations for round two:

A beautiful shot by J.D. Cuban of Jordan Spieth's reflection.

ShackHouse From The Masters: Day One Pop-Up

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House spent Thursday at the 16th hole with Bill Simmons and dad, and we recount their experience along with an intriguing first day at the 2018 Masters. 

Bill, Bill's dad and House discussed their experience in on the Bill Simmons Podcast.

And while we're talking Bill, make sure to bookmark his Callaway Live appearance with Harry Arnett.

Public Service Reminder: Sergio's 13 Highlights How No. 15's Lake Is More Dangerous This Year

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I sat with the horrified onlookers in the 16th hole grandstand watching Sergio's Roy McAvoy impersonation and from the side, it was fascinating how quickly everyone knew each attempt was doomed due to a pair of factors: the severity of the hole location and a tighter shaving of the immediate lake surrounds, which had been more forgiving at times in recent years. Each time Sergio's ball passed the hole with any speed, it was a gonner (Marc Leishman chipped into the pond in the group prior.)

Brentley Romine with the gory details. 

In my four Golfweek takeaways from Thursday, I share some info on Sergio's historic 13, Tiger's first tee shot issues, Jordan Spieth's putting and what historical stats tell us about who is in, and who is all but ruled out of winning. 

As for the defending champion's 13...

Ghim! Amateur Makes Two Eagles In Opening 72

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On a lively Masters opening day, the accomplishment of U.S. Amateur Runner-Up Doug Ghim should not go unnoticed: he eagled the par-5 13th and holed out at 18 to earn himself some crystal goblets. 

Ghim is writing a daily diary for Golfweek.com and he shares some great stuff from the day, including his nerves, a chat with UT alum Jordan Spieth and the thrill of making two eagles. 

Every other tournament there is kind of a generic introduction before you tee off. At the Masters, though, it’s “Fore please. Doug Ghim now driving.” When I heard that my body went numb. To hear my name associated with that phrase, it’s something I’ll never forget. Somehow I got the ball on the tee. Somehow I didn’t soak my glove before the first tee shot. And I made the best swing that I possibly could and the ball found the fairway. I can now say that I striped my first tee ball at the Masters.

The eagles:

Jack Nicklaus And Gary Player Discuss Plenty After Kicking Off The Masters

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We had nearly 90 minutes with the two legends following their honorary starter duties, and I wrapped up some of the more profound and entertaining remarks by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

This exchange was somewhat indicative of the banter at times. The topic is, of course, distance.

GARY PLAYER:  They are going to hit a wedge in time to come.  The whole TOUR will hit a wedge to the second hole here, the par 5.  They will hit a wedge to No. 13 and they will hit a wedge to No. 15. 

JACK NICKLAUS:  You've never done that? 

GARY PLAYER:  For my third.  (Laughter).

JACK NICKLAUS:  Oh, okay. 

GARY PLAYER:  I played with Trevor Immelman on Sunday, not anywhere near Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson, and he hits a 7‑iron to No. 15.  He hits a 7‑iron to No. 13 and he hits a 7‑iron to No. 2. 

So if we don't stop ‑‑

JACK NICKLAUS:  Trevor? 

GARY PLAYER:  Yes.  He can play.  He can play.  He doesn't putt very well, but he can really play (laughter).

JACK NICKLAUS:  He putted well once. 

GARY PLAYER:  We're working on his putting.  But the thing is, if we don't do something ‑‑ we've never had a big man play golf here except George Bayer.  These guys in college are weight training and lifting weights and coming out and being very strong, and they are all going to be hitting the ball at least 400 yards.  You'll find guys that will almost drive the first green here at Augusta in 30 years' time. 

When I said this on British television 20 years ago, this particular guy, I said, "They will be hitting many drives at 400."  He scoffed at me.  Dustin Johnson hit a drive 489 yards ten days ago. 

JACK NICKLAUS:  He what? 

GARY PLAYER:  489 yards. 

JACK NICKLAUS:  Where? 

GARY PLAYER:  Austin. 

JACK NICKLAUS:  Did he really? 

GARY PLAYER:  We're seeing guys hitting 400 yards a lot.

JACK NICKLAUS:  Must have been downwind. 

GARY PLAYER:  With professional golf, we're going to have to, have to, cut the ball back 50 yards, at least. 

Hello Friends: A Very Special 2018 Jim Nantz Sound-A-Like Contest Entry

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The Dan Patrick Show, where Jim Nantz is a regular guest, held their annual sound alike contest as a Masters prelude. Other than the Hello Friends needing refinement, I think you'll enjoy both the sound and the writing. (I'm not sure though if the bird sounds are native to Augusta...)

Have you ever wondered what Jim Nantz does in that 1 lonely minute leading into his Live Masters Monologue?

Watch: The Honorary Starters Ceremony

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Almost all of the Honorary Starters Ceremony, minus that part where Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were credited with ten green jackets between them. The two legends got a kick out of that in what was an otherwise joyful (as always) kick off to The Masters.

Fred Ridley's Momentous Comments On The Distance Issue

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Here are the nuts and bolts of Chairman Fred Ridley's comments on the distance issue, which included some prepared remarks and some responses to questions.

As I write for Golfweek, however, this was a momentous day for new chairman Ridley and Augusta National. Because while other chairmen have invoked the words and philosophy of Jones and MacKenzie as a barometer, Ridley took things to another level in saying that the best hole in tournament golf and the best par-5 on the planet, no longer functions as the architects intended. 

The entirety of his most detailed comments in response to a question from Golf World's Ryan Herrington.

Q. You mentioned that you've had -- you've got encouragement from the governing bodies and other golf organizations about the feedback you've provided to them -- or on the distance issue. What has that feedback been, and have you asked them specifically to explore any certain aspects of the distance issue as it pertains to the play of the tournament here?

CHAIRMAN FRED S. RIDLEY: Well, as I mentioned, we do have an open dialog. I'm very familiar with the public statements that have been made recently. You know, our focus initially is on our golf course. We are intent on making sure that we maintain the design philosophy that Mr. Jones and Alister MacKenzie devised. And with the shot values that they thought were important, we have done what we felt was appropriate through the years to maintain that philosophy and that design, those design parameters.

There's a great quote from Bobby Jones dealing specifically with the 13th hole, which has been lengthened over time, and he said that the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one. And I would have to say that our

observations of these great players hitting middle and even short irons into that hole is not a momentous decision.

And so we think there is an issue, not only there, but in the game generally, that needs to be addressed. The ultimate decision is going to be, I'm confident, a collective one. It's going to be one where all of the stakeholders sit down and come to some agreement.

From our perspective, we will always do what's necessary to maintain the integrity of our golf course. But as I said in my comments, I don't think that's the only approach to this. So my hope is that every organization, every stakeholder involved will look at this issue from a holistic basis and not only what might be in the best interests of their own organization.

We fully appreciate and want-- do not want any action to be taken that's going to make golf harder. We have an obligation to grow the game, and so we're sensitive to that. So these issues don't always coincide. And like any difficult question, it requires compromise and debate. So as long as we're all talking to one another and looking out for what's in the best interest of the game, I'm confident that there's going to be a solution that's going to work for everyone.

Video: Two Renditions Of G.T. Nicklaus' Par-3 Contest Ace

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Gary Nicklaus Jr. is a singer, he's the single digit golfing grandson of Jack Nicklaus and now he's recorded one of the great aces in Augusta National and coolest moments in Masters history.

There are two versions, the original, and the announcer-free Gary Player version. Enjoy and keep the Kleenex happy, Jack is one happy grandad.