There is no doubting that Phil Mickelson deserved victory at Augusta, but that doesn't make another second place at a major any easier to take for Lee Weswood. He didn't do a great deal wrong on Sunday but did not seem quite as sharp as his previous rounds of 67, 69 and 68.

There was a very different atmosphere compared to the round on Saturday, when the predominantly English crowd were right behind Westwood. Understandably 90% of the fans were right behind Mickelson today and he gave them plenty to cheer about.

Westwood had dominated the early holes at Augusta all week, but, by his own admission, he didn't get off to a fast start on the day that it was really needed. Westwood had a number of opportunities to pressurise the American but a fight back never really materialised. Mickelson looked to be in serious trouble off the tee on four holes during the middle of the round. We stood right behind the tee on the 11th where Mickelson looked to have driven into serious trouble down the right hand side. As it turned out he pitched the ball on a patrons head and it flew back into play. You of course need luck to win a major championship and Mickelson made the most of the fortune that was presented to him.

Westwood should feel a lot more positive about this second place compared to the great opportunities he had at Turnberry last year and at Torrey Pines in 2008. The incredible eagle, eagle, birdie run yesterday suggested it was Mickelson's week and he played the back nine brilliantly today. It was a shame that the finish wasn't closer down the final stretch, but this is a Masters that will be remembered for years to come.

The Golf Monthly team have just joined about 250 other Englishmen and a handful of Americans who followed Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter around Augusta. It was a breathtaking day and further confirmed my belief that this is one of the finest spectator courses in the world.

There are no inside the ropes passes and, apart from a couple of press stands, the media follow the players alongside the Masters patrons. We followed the English pair for the whole round and managed to find a great view of every single shot. Even around the popular areas of the course, where patrons place their chairs for the day, there are still fantastic views to be had for those following the action. The fact the crowd numbers are not as big compared to other major championships obviously helps, but the natural contouring of the course creates a number of amphitheatres that give a fantastic view of the action. There are a number of spots where you can see a number of different holes and you can easily move between the front and the back nine.Westwood was superb and, despite the cheers that came from Mickelson's incredible run, he held it together brilliantly.

The roars around the course were electrifying and if tomorrow is anything like today it could be a truly classic Masters.

I have just spent an interesting hour on the driving range at Augusta while the leaders warm up for the third round of the Masters.

The cushioned seats behind the players are full of patrons and every player received a round of applause as they began there warm up. Poulter, Choi, Mickelson and Kim all received a warm welcome but when Tiger Woods arrived there was silence. While there have been no negative comments from the crowds this week, the lack of reception emphasises the point that the crowds really don't know how to react to Tiger this week.

Meanwhile Anthony Kim looked to be hitting it absolutely beautifully, while Phil Mickelson was making a couple of tweaks with coach Butch Harmon. It is clear that Fred Couples is liked by the players as much as the fans. Every player that entered the range area shared a laugh and a joke with him. Even Tiger made time for a chat and a smile. It is promising to be a thrilling day of golf.  

In his Wednesday's press conference, the Chairman of Augusta National, Billy Payne told us that the Masters committee have a "less is more" attitude to the tournament. This means that both the TV coverage and the crowd numbers are limited.

For those who do manage to make it inside the gates, the viewing experience is second to none. I spent day two following Lee Westwood and discovered that with the vast majority of the crowd watching Woods, I could comfortably see each of the Englishman's shots without any inside the ropes access. Playing with Mike Weir and Matteo Manassero, interest in the trio was, at best limited, despite Westwood's growing position at the top of the leaderboard. It was noticeable how many family and friends, Westwood had following him. Mixing among the Augusta crowd, it is easy to spot any Brits, especially those with Worksop accents.

Ian Poulter however, playing in the group in front of Tiger Woods had to deal with hoards of people all looking for a slice of the action. But as you probably know, Poulter isn't afraid of the limelight and the added atmosphere only seemed to spur him on.

Whatever the future of this tournament holds, the draw has been kind to both Poulter and Westwood. Their position at the head of affairs is reason for us all to be excited, even if it is only Friday evening.

Before following Ian Poulter this morning I spent two hours watching the players come through Amen Corner. There is a fantastic press gantry that looks over the 12th green and all of the 13th.

The patrons have a great view from a nearby stand and from the surrounding slopes where they can leave their chairs for the day. These areas are full when the key groups come through. Despite this activity, and a beer tent in close proximity, the players experience a unique quiet here. To the left of the competitors all the way around Amen Corner there is a huge wall of trees with no spectators. This means that the 11th, 12th and 13th greens are about 150 yards from the crowds, leaving players and their caddies in relative confinement. Listen to the crowd the next time you see a birdie on the 12th and notice the subdued round of applause that follows. The crowds are so far away that the sound hardly reaches the green. This isolated feeling helps to create the special feeling at Amen Corner and undoubtedly adds to the pressure at the weekend.

Where next?

Augusta National: Hole-by-hole guide to Augusta


Augusta gallery: Augusta pictures gallery


History & Records: US Masters records


Last year, it simply wouldn't have happened. Tiger, out in the last group, returning to the media centre at dusk to chat with the press about his round? Not likely. Well yesterday, he did just that.

After shooting an ominous round of 68, the world number one made his second appearance of the week in the Augusta interview room in a further bid to heal the rift between the two parties. But whilst, he answered every question put to him, there was still a tension in the air. He greeted some with a disdainful, ‘what do you think you are doing asking me that question', kind of look. It all goes to show that despite what has happened, his image is still of the utmost importance to him.

Thankfully, the press were able to engage with some more relaxed characters yesterday. Former Champion Fred Couples, in his Ecco Street shoes (he's the only player in the field who doesn't need to change his shoes at the end of the round) found himself at the top of the leaderboard. He always wears these trainer style shoes because regular ones place an unnecessary strain on his back. He told us that he wore dress shoes to the Champions Dinner but had to take them off before long.

So can this 50-year-old with chronic back problems actually do it? "To win Augusta at age 50 would be a pipedream. Can I still win? Of course. It would be a nice dream, that's for sure."

A European winning at Augusta is something we discuss every year leading up to the real season opener. Ever since dominating the 80's and 90's, when European players were victorious 11 times at Augusta, we have hoped for a similar period of glory. This year comes with more optimism than ever thanks to a purple patch that has seen European's charge the upper echelons of the world rankings. Here are my European picks for Augusta dominance in 2010:
 
Padraig Harrington
While Harrington has had an unspectacular start to the season we all know that his focus is always on the four biggest tournaments of the year. With his stunning short game you would have thought that the Irishman would relish Augusta's treacherous green designs. With four top tens in his last five starts, an each-way bet looks appealing.
 
Ian Poulter
Poulter's brilliant victory in the Accenture Match Play showed that when he finds form the Englishman has the confidence and guts to finish the job off. His consistent striking and impressive close range putting could mean that he is not far away come Sunday evening.
 
Martin Kaymer
Kaymer looks to be developing into the complete golfer and undoubtedly has the game to seriously compete at Augusta. He is one of the most consistent players on the European Tour and his superb win in Abu Dhabi highlighted his ability to defeat world-class fields.
 
Rory McIlroy
Arguably the most talented of the impressive young crop of players out on tour. It is surely only a matter of time before McIlroy finds himself in genuine contention on Major Sundays. His supreme ball striking gives a big advantage over much of the field and after playing last year he will know exactly what to expect.

INTERESTING day all round this opening round. Finally the chaps had to stop speaking about what they were going to do and had to get on with doing it. What no-one expected of course was for older blokes like Tom Watson, now 60, Fred Couples, 50, and Sandy Lyle, 52, to let their clubs do the best talking possible.

But that'sthe beauty of big-time sport I suppose. Take out the unpredictability and most of the fun goes with it. Will they be there at the end of the week? Of course not but for now that thought doesn't matter a damn. What we can celebrate to this point is the form of Lee Westwood, the resurgence of Phil Mickelson and, of course, Tiger Woods.

Whatever else he is, Woods is one fantastic competitor. His press conference irritated me this week but then a lot of his press conferences have irritated me, a triumph of his arrogance over my interest. Still, when he steps on to a course there is no gainsaying his presence and his talent. How the others must wish he would just go away but they know he won't, not for a few more years anyway.

The weather by the way is much cooler here and a lot windier. They are predicting more of the same. What I am predicting is that the scores in the second round will be nothing like the birdie-fest so many enjoyed in this first round. The pin positions for this round have been about as easy as they can be at Augusta. What will happen now is that those holes will start to be hidden, the course will harden up, the ball will bounce and skip and frustrate. In other words it will be even more fun for us and a bit less for them.

Yesterday I got my first look at 3D TV. Sony put on a demonstration here and while it was impressive in a cardboard-cutout sort of way I can't see me rushing to buy one of these magic machines when they roll them out. Sony, however, are expecting that within two years at least half of all the televisions they sell will be 3D. So I have seen the future and it is not that exciting, not for golf anyway. Football might be different though. How about reviewing dodgy offside decisions in 3D. Wouldn't Fergie love that?

Thanks for your US Masters questions. I've done my best to answer some of you...

Q. What time do the gates open and do the crowds queue outside overnight a la Wimbledon or do they just turn up on the morning and go to their favourite pitch?

HomerJSimpson

A. The gates opened at about 7.30 this morning with Nicklaus and Palmer teeing off just before the first group at 8. I think it's pretty busy first thing but people don't have to queue up too long because there are so many great vantage points to put your seat.

Q. My question is they have just added an extra ten minute programme to the red button over here just to show Tiger teeing off, what is the reaction of the media over there to Tiger? Is this masters going to be all about one player? And what feeling do you get from the other players about Tiger?

Pokerjoke

A. I'm going to write a blog about this later as there was an interesting development last night. In terms of the players, they all seem genuinely happy to have him back. It also takes the limelight away from them so most of them can do their preparation under the radar.
 
Q. Titleist is advertised as being the No1 ball in golf and I believe Srixon is coming up 2nd. Is this statement true for the Masters? Are there other manufacturers closing in as the pros preferred choice?

Basher

A. Yes, that statement would be true. The majority of the field are sponsored by the following manufacturers - Nike, TaylorMade, Titleist and Cleveland/Srixon. They all produce their own balls and for the most part, the players are obliged to play the ball designed by their sponsor. There is
some scope for choice among Ping players to use what they like but again most of these seem to be on a shoe, glove and ball deal with Acushnet so they play Titleist too.

Q. Is there a clear favourite amoung those inside the ropes at this early stage? Is anyone looking rather sharp and confident? How fast are the greens running? Is anyone particularly bothered about how the balls will react on the greens this year compared to last with the new grooves?

TonyN

A. Having seen a fair bit of practice play, I'd say Rory looks to be hitting it better than ever. Whether his short game is sharp enough right now remains to be seen. Phil Mickelson was talking up Fred Couples chances after winning three times on the Champions Tour... The greens will be about 12 on
the stimp... They can't really make them any quicker than this because the slopes are so severe that would become unplayable in places. There has actually been quite a lot of chat about the new grooves this week. At first players didn't think it was going to make much of a difference but this week they seem to be saying the opposite. Of course, creating short game spin is crucial here and so the new grooves may make life a little tougher for them. We shall see.

Q. Does the fact the course looks like it may play a wee tad shorter due to the fine weather mean a pea shooter may be able to compete or will it still be a big boy winner??

Dodger

A. Good question. There is no doubt that the course will be slightly firmer than the last few years so I guess that will open it up to more players. Personally, if this is the case I like the look of Furyk's chances. He's in form, scrambling well and has played well here in the past. Now that I've said that, you can probably expect him to miss the cut.

Q. Have you heard anyone shout "get in the hole" yet??

Rickg

A. No, and the crowd here is really good. As good, if not better than at the Open. They are, however, allowed to drink and Tiger's late tee time today may come at a bad time...

Q. Do most patrons park themselves in one spot for the day or is there much 'roaming' between holes?

Snaphookedwedge

They have a unique system here where the crowd can place their seat at a point on the course, place their business card in a pouch in the back and then wander off. This means that most find a good spot to sit later in the day and spend the morning wandering around.

Q. What's the temperature difference between the early morning and mid afternoon, and does this give any advantage to later tee times as balls warm up and fly further later in the day?

Slugger

The weather is due to take a turn for the worse today. Rain is predicted for this afternoon and then it will be significantly colder for the rest of the week. It does warm up through the day and doesn't really get colder in the evening. However, with the rain forecast I can't help but think those drawn
later today (Woods, Poulter etc) have got the wrong end of the draw.
 
Q. In your opinion is there a natural shot shape that gives an advantage around Augusta i.e draw, fade, high flight etc?

A. Definitely a draw. It's an interesting one but a draw is undoubtedly the shot for Augusta. It helps on the following holes - 2, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 13.

Q. What's the percentage of players playing "adjustable" drivers versus non-adjustable? Of those playing adjustable ones, is there a bias towards closed or open set ups?

Rickg

A. In terms of a percentage, I'm not sure but there are quite a few - maybe even 50%. Those using adjustable usually have it set square or open but half a degree. Most of the pros hate hitting the ball left so that helps them guard against this.