Add Aussie Adam Scott, twice a winner last month, plus fourth-ranked Bubba Watson, a two-time Masters champion, 2015 Players winner Rickie Fowler and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and the stage is set for a showdown on golf’s most acclaimed course.
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The 22-year-old etched his name into the history books by winning both the Masters and the US Open in quick succession last year, in the process becoming the youngest golfer ever to do so.
Jason Day, who replaced him at No. 1, won the PGA Championship in August and became the first player to finish at 20-under par in a major. I had the opportunity to win. He didn’t withdraw until back spasms at the old World Series of Golfat Firestone in 1981 when he was 41, and he had to pull out again two years later after one round of the 1983 Masters.
“How you doing? Welcome, welcome”, the security guard says.
“I’m very impressed about how they play the game, but I’m equally impressed by how they handle themselves outside of just playing the game”. I stuck to my game plan for the most part but I was three-over after 27 holes and that’s not going to get it done. Despite carrying a green jacket in his luggage, though, Spieth is arguably playing the worst golf of his professional career, having failed to finish inside the top 10 of a stroke-play event since winning in early January.
The world number three is going in search of what would be a career Grand Slam were he to claim the so far elusive Green Jacket in Georgia on Sunday.
“I’d be lying if I said those guys (Spieth and Day) having success doesn’t motivate me”. His game is perfectly suited for Augusta National and, after watching Spieth and Day leapfrog him in the world rankings, has the motivation to strike back.
Jack Nicklaus, driving to historic Augusta National for the traditional Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, was stopped by security several times on his way into the course.
“Someone once told me pressure is for tires”, McIlroy said.
“I think a year ago, he learned how to play them and he learned how to curb his excesses, his excitement and go out there and play with an even keel”.
Jordan Spieth tees off on the 13th tee during the par three competition at the Masters golf tournament Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in Augusta, Ga.
“We have two major championships now”, he said in reference to his caddie, Michael Greller. “But it’s also going to be a lot of fun walking these fairways, reliving those memories with the crowds and the roars, the echoes”.
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Spieth happily passes off the favourite role.
