The chatter
Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning NCAA and U.S. Amateur champion, shot his third even-par round of 72, was the low amateur at 5-over and heads to Hilton Head Island to make his pro debut this week at the Heritage. He was asked if he was ready.
“I think so. I hope so. I’ve had six or seven months to prepare to be professional. I’ve played in numerous professional events, and traveled across the world trying to gain experience, and to end it off here at the Masters is something special, so yes,” DeChambeau said. “Well, I think, got to be careful with how I say it, but it’s just another golf tournament next week. I’ve got to go prepare just like I would for this week, or this past week.”
Money talk
Progression of champions’ winnings through the years. An aside: 50th place this year is $25,200 or $5,200 more than Nicklaus won for the title in 1963.
Year; Money; Champ;
1934; $1,500; Horton Smith;
1946; $2,500; Herman Keiser;
1958; $11,250; Arnold Palmer;
1963; $20,000; Jack Nicklaus;
1974; $35,000; Gary Player;
1986; $144,000; Jack Nicklaus;
1997; $486,000; Tiger Woods;
2004; $1,170,000; Phil Mickelson;
2013; $1,440,000; Adam Scott;
2016; $1,800,000; Danny Willett;
By the numbers
70
Majors played by Sergio Garcia without a victory. At one point early in his career, Garcia, who has earned $41.5 million in his career and won eight PGA Tour events, was thought to be the next big thing. His best finishes in each major: 2004 Masters-T4; 2005 U.S. Open-T3; 2007 and 2014 British Open-2nd and T2; 1998, 2008 PGA-2nd and T2. He enters the final round at 12 shots back after 69-75-81—225.
Garcia said this after his round of Augusta National: “It is very challenging. It is hard. Sometimes maybe you feel that it’s not fair, but I guess the game is not fair itself. It is very difficult, but as you spend more and more time you try to figure out ways of what works best for you and what makes you click a little bit more when you come here. But I’m still trying to figure it out all the way. So hopefully I can play another 18 times and maybe I’ll get it done by then.”
2016 notable events
116th U.S. Open: Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, June 16-19
145th British Open: Royal Troon Golf Club, Ayrshire, Scotland, July 14-17
98th PGA Championship: Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J., July 28-31
Rio Olympics: Reserva de Marapendi, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 11-14.
Tour Championship: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Sept. 22-25.
41st Ryder Cup: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn., Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Hole of the day
No. 12 Golden Bell
Par 3, 155 yards
Avg.: 3.368 Birdies: 4
Pars: 40 Bogeys: 5
Doubles: 5 Other: 3
Comment: The hole that knocked Jordan Spieth out of the lead when he quadrupled bogey and hit twice into the water on the devilish short hole. Other leaders parred the hole.
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