“Greatness realized without thunderous applause is no less great”
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True words and yet the lack of patronage at this week’s Masters will be impossible to ignore. Nonetheless, a nice head on approach here from The Masters team to set the table:
When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
Bryson Will Get Most Of The Early Week Masters Attention, As He Should
/The Bryson DeChambeau show arrived in Augusta for the November Masters and he’s got the 201 mph ball speed ready to go:
On top of that, DeChambeau’s recent round at the course included some eye-opening approach yardages:
Of course this is all how it should be. The best player in the world right now is arriving at Augusta National with a game and distances like we’ve never seen. The opportunity to dismantle the place and render the course obsolete is real. That is easily the top storyline and one most of us who’ve seen the distance complacence by multiple governing bodies come to this fruition (including during Masters Chairman Fred Ridley’s USGA days).
Now, whether this assault on the place and focus on one player is what the Lords of Augusta like, is another thing.
Then again, Phil Mickelson was putting with a fairway wood on Sunday so…
Ortiz Wins Houston Open As Memorial Holds Up Much Better Than Fan Safety Rules
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A diverse set of playing styles highlighted the huge success of Memorial Park’s renovation and Carlos Ortiz punctuated his win in 18th hole-birdie style before dam of emotions burst.
He is the first Mexican to win a PGA Tour event in 42 years. The finale and strong showing by Memorial made for great viewing and was unquestionably better with fan support.
(And no, Ortiz was not in the 2020 Masters field so he will not be headed to Augusta. That’s how things roll this strange year.)
About the “2000” fans a day.
The look, at least on television in a time America is about to hit 10 million cases and over 1000 deaths a day, was awful. Fans sandwiched together, maybe 60% mask buy-in and an uncomfortable look given the tournament rules and reminders.
Besides the largest 2000-fan crowds you’ll ever see and the lack of buy-in, the potential for getting fans back soon seems remote unless more measures are taken. Off the top of my head: designated eating/drinking areas, mask enforcement folks (sorry, I know, horrible job) and designated seating assignments (also, an enforcement nightmare).
While the outdoor setting hopefully helps avert a spreader event disaster, the ultimate problem is one of optics. Ratings will be light given the Golf Channel airing and competition from the NFL, but had the Houston Open been seen by a large audience, I’m fairly certainly most county health officials would have been horrified by what they saw. Most painful of all: the enjoyment of hearing roars and enthusiasm but also knowing that the spewing of droplets is, ultimately, problematic.
A few images from Sunday’s telecast:
Rescheduled Masters: Multiple Augusta Hotels Hit Hard, Including Patridge Inn
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Bloomberg’s Patrick Clark looks at the impact of a postponed Masters on Augusta, Georgia’s rental market and finds that multiple hotels are behind on loan payments. Including, sadly, the legendary Partridge Inn.
That’s bad news for properties like the Partridge Inn, a historic 143-room hotel that’s 60 days delinquent on its $15 million mortgage, according to an Oct. 19 report compiled by Wells Fargo & Co.
A representative for the owner -- listed in property records as Partridge Inn DE LLC -- declined to comment.
At least two more Augusta hotels are delinquent on loans that have been packaged into commercial mortgage-backed securities, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Several others are on servicer watch lists.
Even with the 2020 Masters rescheduled for this week, the fan-free status of the Masters means almost none of the normal demand for hotel rooms. Just one of many economic victims of this dreadful pandemic.
Rory's Augusta National Scouting Report: "More Bermuda" And "Soft"
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ESPN.com’s Bob Harig talks to Rory McIlroy in advance of next week’s rescheduled Masters where an already wet course is expected to see more rain.
Besides the softness, I was intrigued by the role McIlroy sees Bermuda playing versus an April playing of the Masters.
"A lot more Bermuda [grass] in the fairways and in the surrounds of the greens,'' McIlroy said. "The greens are exactly the same as they always are. But for the fairways, it just hasn't been cold enough for the Bermuda to die off. That's going to make things very interesting around the greens. Chipping will be a lot trickier.
"[The fairways], instead of being thin it can be a little grainy or a thicker patch. But it was soft. There were a lot of mud balls and looks like some rain during the week so that can be an issue. It's just going to play very different. They haven't done anything to the golf course -- it's just the way it's playing.''
The current forecast calls for rain possibilities Tuesday to Sunday, with the remnants of Eta also a possibility next weekend.
Phil Unveils A $69 Hat (Antimicrobial Triple Quilted Sweatband Included)
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5300 or so fellow owners enjoyed a Breeders Cup Classic win today and I thought of buying a $49 “Authentic” hat to commemorate. But that’s a lot for a cap. Unless, you’re Phil Mickelson and Melin.
For $69 ($82 and change after shipping/taxes), this Melin cap armed with Mickelson’s logo is now available and will help your game. After all, it repels water and helps for those morning workouts when you don’t want to take a shower, according to the hall-of-famer. Operators should be standing by to take your order for just three easy payments of $32.99!
Warning! Here’s the launch video with several gratuitous calf shots.
**Club Pro Guy has already countered with a competing lid.
Niemann Out Of Masters After Positive COVID-19 Test
/The rescheduled Masters lost its first player to a COVID-19 and a particularly painful WD by Joaquin Niemann given his current form.
The 2018 Latin America Amateur champion announced the news on Twitter (below) and ESPN.com’s Bob Harig shares the statement in English:
"I have tested positive for coronavirus and unfortunately I will not play in the Masters next week as a result,'' Niemann wrote. "This event means a lot to me, and I have had incredible memories playing as the LAAC champion. I am disappointed but will do everything possible to recover quickly while keeping my family and team safe."
As you might expect from Augusta National, the announcement was handled differently than the PGA Tour, which has disclosed COVID-positives/WD’s with a statement.
The Lords, at least in this case, left the announcement up to the player to announce:
Video: Evening With The Masters (Crenshaw And Sergio) Benefitting Save Muny
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There is plenty to whet your (fall 2020) Masters appetite but you can’t go wrong with the virtual panel put together in the name of Save Muny: 1984 & 1995 Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw, 2017 Masters Champion Sergio García, and broadcast great Verne Lundquist.
Enjoy!
Houston Open First To Welcome Significant Crowds, Safety Protocols Not Getting Total Buy-In Just Yet
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This week’s Vivint Houston Open benefiting the (cheating) Astros Foundation marks the first time in the COVID-19 era that a tournament is welcoming back significant crowds. (Announced at 2000 a day compared to last week’s 500 a day in Bermuda).
While face covering is required at all times and spectators at Memorial Park are forking out over $100 per ticket, they’ve been asked to socially distance. Yet even a Thursday crowd, typically the lightest of the week, appeared to struggle with both requirements.
While the obvious first concern involves virus spread, the responsibility placed in Houston’s hands will also determine how soon upcoming events can welcome back fans.
Golf.com’s Art Stricklin was on site and quotes players who felt safe inside the ropes but also addresses what was obvious to telecast viewers: a lot of people standing around side-by-side with the usual mixed-face covering buy-in.
In fact, the only complaint Texas native Jimmy Walker had was there were only 2,000 fans.
“I wish there were more this week, but at least it’s a start,” Walker said.
Local tournament officials wished there were more, as well, but settled on 2,000 after discussing it with the PGA Tour and City of Houston health officials. The U.S. Women’s Open, 20 miles away from here next month, is not allowing any fans.
“It’s pretty much shoulder to shoulder on every green,” said Houston business owner David Miller, who came as the guest of a client. “I’m trying to live my life, but be cautious about it.”
Camera views can be deceiving, particularly on a rear-tee shot like this where the crowd size and spacing is distorted.
Thankfully, players felt safe inside the ropes, according to Stricklin:
Spieth said he was taking a more wait-and-see approach with having fans.
“Yeah, I think we have to see,” he said. “It certainly felt more normal as we were playing, so obviously if we’re able to do it safely, that’s a huge win for the tournaments and the Tour. Hopefully it continues to go well like it did this morning.”
“Pretty much everyone was wearing a mask that I saw,” added Scottie Scheffler, who was tied for second, behind leader Brandt Snedeker, after a 67.. “I felt very safe out there on the course. So for the players, I’m sure it will be fine.”
Adam Scott On His COVID-19 Bout, 2020 Masters Hopes
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Adam Schupak caught up with Adam Scott following his COVID-19 positive test and symptoms. The Australian was scheduled to play the ZOZO Championship as a key Masters tuneup but tested positive and road out a brief fever at a hotel and then rental house.
The Genesis Invitational winner earlier this year—seemingly a decade ago—is now entered at this week’s Vivant Houston Open Benefitting the Cheating Astros Foundation and admits to a pre-Masters preparation setback.
“Not only not getting Zozo in, not getting any practice in for those 10 days either is a little setback, but I’ve actually come out swinging good this week and at least feel fresh,” he said. “Hopefully that works in my favor…What I had planned in preparation was to kind of peak at the Masters and Houston’s a big part of that. It’s even more important since I tested positive and had to kind of not play in Zozo and not really get practice in and make sure I got healthy again. So, this is an important week for me. There’s a lot to take out of it.”
This was an interesting and typically thoughtful admission from one of the game’s more cerebral players:
“It just becomes harder for guys getting well into their 40s to be consistently competitive. It just takes a bit more. They’ve got to find their right weeks and take advantage of that,” Scott said. “Hopefully there’s room for a couple of older folk to hang in there like me for those next five or 10 years.”
DJ Isn't Sure How He Got COVID-19, Looks Forward To The Rescheduled Masters
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A Masters favorite, Johnson will prep at this week’s Houston Open and remain pleased about one thing and one thing only.
“The first day I didn’t hit balls for very long because I got kind of tired,” he said. “Then kind of practiced a little bit more each day. My health is good. The state of my game is undetermined.”
While Johnson said he isn’t sure how he got coronavirus—everyone around him, including his fiancee Paulina Gretzky and two kids, River and Tatum, tested negative, he said—there is at least one positive he is happy about.
“The only good thing that came out of this,” Johnson said, “is I know I'm playing next week at the Masters.”
Stevie On Fanless Masters And Tiger: “It could be really difficult to get the competitive juices flowing"
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Evan Priest talks to looping legend Steve Williams about his favorite Masters memories for Golf.com. Eventually the topic returned to his old boss, the defending champion Tiger Woods—and how he might handle next week’s fall Masters.
I do wonder if Tiger’s lackluster showings in the COVID-19 era are impacted by an intangible we cannot ever measure…
Williams himself has reservations about Woods at a November Masters. Cooler temps will make the course play longer, and they won’t be ideal for Tiger’s iffy back. More concerning is that Woods will be in unchartered territory at a gallery-less Augusta. He uses every fiber of the Masters experience — including the tournament’s unrivaled stresses — to his advantage. Without the thousands of patrons and their piercing, adrenaline-pumping and equally nerve-rattling roars, will players feel the pressure?
“It could be really difficult to get the competitive juices flowing,” Williams admits. “When you turn up to a major, they have a different feel from regular PGA Tour events; there is a buzz and an excitement about them. With that element missing, for someone like Tiger who hasn’t played a lot of tournament golf this year, it’ll be hard to get that spark you need. But Tiger is going to give it 110 percent.”
The Crow's Nest: Will This Be The Year Amateurs Stay Around Or...?
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One of the stranger recent Traditions Unlike Any Other: Masters amateurs doing an obligatory night in the Crow’s Nest around Monday’s Amateur Dinner, then moving to a rental house with their “team” (because you know, amateurs need to be with their agents).
With COVID-19 making the sharing of a living space possibly problematic—it’d still be nice to hear that one amateur stayed all week in what most normal human being-Americans would call one-off lodging opportunity-of-a-lifetime: the Crow’s Nest during Masters week.
Well, the rest of us can dream next week to the club providing a little bit of access to golf’s ultimate lodging spot:
2020 Masters Merch Goes On Sale To Patrons, Ebay Prices Suggest A Special Affinity For Gnomes
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Golf.com’s Alan Bastable was able to access the first-ever Masters patron-only shop. He reviews some new and surprising items, and also explains the setup:
How long the inventory will last is anyone’s guess. God willing, we’re unlikely to see another November Masters anytime soon, which means this year’s gear will have a special one-off cachet for collectors. The tournament has leaned into the timing with fall-themed course prints and holiday decorations, including tree ornaments and a Santa garden gnome.
Buyers are limited to two check-outs, but given the ease of online shopping (and the fact that fans won’t have to lug their merchandise home with them from the course), it’s not hard to imagine Masters-happy customers’ buying more than they would have if they’d been shopping in the brick-and-mortar shop at the tournament.
Which, makes the future of this approach something plenty will watch.
But back to those surprising items. The most bizarre of all has to be the Masters food spread.
Alex Myers at GolfDigest.com writes:
Masters food: As in, you can actually buy Masters food. From the Masters. From Augusta National. They will ship it to you so you can host a legendary Masters party or you can just pig out by yourself while you enjoy this feast for 10-12 people that’s offered on the new online Masters Patron Shop:
I’d like a few more cookies and their chicken sandwiches instead of the pimento cheese, but man, that’s tempting.
Several items from the new shop have hit ebay and the prices suggest Gnomes are the new beer cup. For those in the mood to overpay:
$399 Fall Masters (dressed like Santa) gnome.
Gnome long sleeve for the low, low price of $199.99
$399 Masters watch to remember 2020 by.
Just $75 for a 2020 Masters pin flag.
The 2020 Golf Framed Pin set at just $399 is actually not ridiculous. Blame 2020.
Ratings Ouch: Champions Tour Outrates PGA Tour's Bermuda Championship
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Even with a Masters invitation (somehow) on the line and of course, the all important FedExCup points, Brian Gay’s Bermuda Championship win still had fewer Golf Channel viewers than the Timbertech Championship.
That event featured Darren Clarke holding of Jim Furyk and Bernhard Langer for his first PGA Tour Champions win.
Saturday’s third round of the Timbertech “won” the weekend and averaged 43,000 in the coveted none-Villages demo.
The Bermuda Championship’s Thursday and Friday telecasts draw enough of an audience to crack the top 150 cable shows.
