US Masters 2008 Blog - The Wonderful World of the Masters
Friday 11th of April 2008 05:14:00 PM
By Luke Norman
1. Monty will be choking on his carafe of Shiraz as he reads this personal invitee of the Masters committee Pryad Marksaeng is currently propping up the scoreboard at +12, trailing both the 72-year-old Gary Player and the journeyman has-been Steve Lowery. Is that really going to help golf grow in Thailand?
2. Boo Weekley is writing a daily column in the Augusta Chronicle and we'll be keeping an eye on what the gun-loving local has to say.
Weekly Watch One: I thought it (15th) was a par 4 to tell you the truth. I didn't know it was a par 5. Solid preparation there Boo.
3. Yesterday's scoring average of 74.180 was a full two shots better than that of last year's first round.
4. It's rumoured from a very ropey source that Bruce Forsyth was last seen entering the renowned establishment that is Hooters beaming and saying; Nice to see you, to see you nice!
5. Yesterday's birdie-free round was just the second time in 14 years that Tiger has gone 18 holes without a birdie. He did of course have an eagle.
6. Best quote so far Arnold Palmer asked Fuzzy Zoeller; What the hell are you doing playing? The self-styled joker went on to shoot 81.
7. Best gag from a professional golfer this year Lee Westwood recently stepped onto a range and took up a position in-between Tiger Woods and Ian Poulter. He was then heard commenting that he was incredibly nervous to be hitting between the two best players in the world.
8. Hotel revenue in Augusta for April 2007 was $11.85 million 265% more than the average month here. Thankfully we are in a house!
9. Most unlikely bet so far Sandy Lyle to be co-leader halfway through Day One. Most likely bet so far Sandy Lyle (now sponsored by Hooters) to be co-leader on Day One and then miss the cut.
10. Weekley Watch Two: I'm a meat-and-tater man. I ain't much on them vegetables. Would never have guessed.
11. Smoothest man at Augusta Bill Elliott of course, who else?
12. A close second for quote of the day came from the always ready to talk (loudly) Gary Player: To me the poisons of the world are the bacons, the ice cream, the white bread, the dairy products. Fat makes you fat. Note to self, don't go to one of Player's parties.
13. Mark O'Meara was the only player to birdie his way round Amen Corner.
14. Weekley Watch Three: What's Amen Corner? Why is that a corner? It should be 12, 13 and 14.
15. Fred Couples is in danger of ending his record consecutive cut mark of 23 after a first round 76. Top 44 and ties make it plus those within 10 shots of the leader the current projection is that +5 will not be around at the weekend.
16. There are over 1,600 azaleas on the 13th hole.
17. Best prediction so far: GM to beat combined Golf World and Getty Images team this afternoon at Palmetto GC
what? It's all part of the job ok!
18. It's worth noting (well only in the sense that my good woman might now get a new pair of sunglasses from the airport and I'll get some epic brownie points!) that at one stage yesterday four of my five very well chosen bets were sat smugly on the leaderboard. A couple fell away but all five are at +1 or better and with Trevor Immelman (150/1) and Lee Westwood (55/1) leading the way for Team Norman I am becoming a real irritant to Neil, who has had an absolute Western Super Mare!
