2017 drama set to unfold at Augusta
The US Masters at Augusta – it’s like stepping into a Disney film. The Augusta National golf course is so incredibly well-prepared for the first Major of the season. Eighteen beautifully manicured holes stretched out over 400 acres in Georgia where the best players in the world give their all for the coveted Green Jacket. A place where great play is warmly applauded by appreciative crowds elegantly seated amid bright pink azaleas under blue skies. A magical place so steeped in history and tradition that it is every golfer’s dream to receive an invitation to play here and be inspired in the footsteps of their golfing heroes.
What does the 81st edition (6-9 April) hold in store for us? Will it top last year’s drama when the seemingly unstoppable defending champion, 21-year old American, Jordan Spieth came unstuck around ‘Amen Corner’? With his 2015 victory, he broke just about every record in the book including a mammoth 28 birdies over the four days of the tournament. Last year, he added a new record as leader of the Masters for seven consecutive rounds. Indeed, the Texan had led the Masters until disaster struck at the twelfth hole on the final day.
Butterflies and goose bumps
Yesterday I had butterflies in my stomach when I heard the familiar beat of drums and music that heralds the start of BBC television’s golf coverage. The 2017 Masters is about to begin. And to whet our appetite, the BBC broadcast a breath-taking summary of last year’s unbelievable drama. The picture postcard perfect scenes at Augusta. The hushed anticipation. The cheers from the crowds echoing through the pine trees. The super-slick greens. The passion and artistry of the players. The all-so-inspiring action. And the emergence of 28-year old Englishman Danny Willett as the new Masters Champion in a dream fortnight in which his wife gave birth to their son Zacheriah. It was all packed into a delicious one-hour highlights programme – a taste of what’s to come over the next few days.
As the annual drama is poised to unfold at Augusta, I ponder whether a film director could ever have come up with some of the exciting scenarios of the last few decades. Many are just so unpredictable, so stunning. Thankfully, golf remains an intriguing game.
Incredibly, it is twenty years ago that former World Number One Tiger Woods became the tournament’s youngest champion. In 1997, at the age of 21, Tiger claimed his first Green Jacket in stunning fashion with a record-low of 18-under par 270 and a record-winning margin of 12 strokes.
While Tiger struggles with his back problems, the new World Number One Dustin Johnson is in a fine vein of form and looking for his fourth straight victory this season.
New at the Masters this year is an invitation for the Olympic Champion to compete. England’s Justin Rose has that honour.
There is not much longer to wait now. In just a few hours, on Thursday, 6th April, millions of golf fans will be able to enjoy the first day’s play of the 2017 Masters. Live and recorded highlights of the action at Augusta National is broadcast in more than 200 countries around the world.
Dedicated to The King
I’d like to dedicate this post to “The King” – the great Arnold Palmer, winner of four Green Jackets at Augusta, who passed away in September 2016 at the age of 86. He made his last playing appearance in the 2004 Masters. It was also incredibly his 50th consecutive time of playing in the world’s most talked about golf tournaments. In recent years, Arnold Palmer had had the honour of officially opening the Masters tournament by ceremonially teeing-off on the Thursday with two other golfing legends, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
Hold onto your emotions, the 2017 Masters begins tomorrow, Thursday, 6 April! Enjoy!
Wendy Hoad
The 2017 Masters
Scheduled television coverage on BBC 2:
Highlights: Wednesday, 5 April @ 11.15 hrs GMT;
Friday, 7 April @ 19.00 hrs GMT;
Saturday, 8 April @ 13.00 hrs GMT
Live and uninterrupted coverage from Augusta:
Saturday, 8 April @ 19.30 hrs GMT;
Sunday, 9 April @ 18.30 hrs GMT.
(Remember to add an hour for Amsterdam time, if you’re watching in Holland. See also Ziggo Sport. Check television guides for possible changes. If you’re wondering where Dutch star Joost Luiten is this year, alas, his official world ranking was outside the required top-50 for this tournament.)
