Former world number one Ernie Els carded a 10 to record the worst ever first-hole score at the Masters. The previous high score at the first hole had been a quadruple-bogey 8, most recently in 2007. We’ve seen him miss putts from within three feet early this year on the European Tour.
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He then took a step back, had a think about things, lined up his next shot carefully… and missed again.
The “Big Easy” then nonchalantly used a one-hand swing to tap the ball back toward the cup but it lipped out, prompting him to reach over and again one-hand the ball, this time finally into the cup.
It could have been even worse, as scoreboards originally indicated that Els had needed seven putts for the hole, although TV replays show it was actually six. But you love the game and you’ve got to have respect for the tournament and so forth.
“Hopefully I’ll go hit a couple, go to bed sleeping on something positive, and you never know”, Haas said. “So, it was a real great test to me”. “The course is very hard and putting is hard because the greens are fast and it’s windy, and putts get away from you”. But I kind of settled down and played OK, and it’s just a pity of (Thursday).
“What do I take out of the week?”
The next six putts passed in a blur, which he was at a loss to recall later.
At the first hole of the 2014 British Open, he struck a spectator in the face with his opening tee shot and was still shaken when he got to the green.
To amateur golfers out there – there’s hope for us all..
“They gave me a nine – someone counted properly”, he said. Whatever you do, the ball just won’t go home. “It was a very weird, surreal feeling this morning”, said Els, who had struggled to an opening round of eight-over 80.
After losing count as he set the tournament record with a 9 on the par-4 hole, Els finished with an 8-over 80 after leaving what he estimated overall were 15 short putts on greens.
Watson said he was bothered by allergies and a sinus infection.
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Imagine how a guy who has won four major titles must’ve felt, though it wasn’t the first time Els has come down with the yips at a major championship. The game of golf you’ve got to do some silly things when you play long enough…. He managed to play even-par from No. 2 to No. 10, but doubled the 11th hole and had the bogey-bogey finish.
