Normally the Augusta National fairways and greens are the primary attraction during the Masters practice rounds. But one of the most popular destinations for fans on Monday was a remote spot between two magnolias deep in the woods to the right of the No. 10 fairway.
That was the area from which left-hander Bubba Watson launched his famous 162-yard hook shot that led to his winning the 2012 Masters in a playoff. As fans milling around in the vicinity could attest, locating the exact spot where Watson’s gap wedge met history is not easy.
“What, no plaque?” said one spectator as he feverishly searched for some sign among the pine needles.
He wasn’t alone. Over the course of the day, hundreds of fans milled around in the area and all had the same question: Shouldn’t there be some sort of marker?
Perhaps, but there isn’t one and there’s not going to be one. That’s according to Steven Ethun, director of communications for the Masters, who said there are no markers on the course signifying any of the great shots that have been executed throughout history.
Plenty would qualify, including Gene Sarazen’s double eagle from 235 yards on No. 15 in 1935 and Larry Mize’s chip-in from 140 feet off the No. 11 green to win in a playoff in 1987.
Watson’s spot was not only a popular destination for fans. Participating players had been having a go at the shot in practice rounds.
“I don’t imagine there’s a plaque but there must be a thousand divots from that place,” said St. Simons resident and former Georgia Tech star Matt Kuchar, who said he hasn’t gotten down to the spot yet but intends to. “They’ve probably dug a hole with all the people trying to replicate the shot.”
Rice dons green: Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was spotted sporting her green jacket for the first time at Augusta National as she walked the grounds Sunday. Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore became the exclusive club's first two female members last August.
Rice, who reportedly carries a 16-handicap, played a round with three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson on Sunday. Rice and Mickelson have known each other for a number of years.
“She kept asking about the course and I kept asking about countries,” Mickelson told reporters Sunday. “But it was really fun. She really can putt.’”
Rice is said to have finished the round by making a 40-foot putt for par on the 18th.
Henley draws Watson: Russell Henley has played Augusta National a lot. In fact, Monday's practice round was his 10th on the hallowed grounds. But it was the first time he played it with Tom Watson and tens of thousands of onlookers.
A University of Georgia graduate, Henley qualified for the Masters in his first year as a fully exempt member of the PGA Tour. He did so by winning in his first start at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January. And Henley didn’t back into his first title. The Macon native shot the lowest score in tournament history (24-under-par 256) and the third-lowest in PGA history.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” said Henley, who also played Monday with amateur Nathan Smith. “Tom is such a nice guy to go out there and chase it around with us. It’s such an honor coming up there and teeing off with him and being in front of all those people.”
Playing with Watson was no accident for Henley. He asked for it.
“They gave me his number in the pro shop,” Henley said. “They asked me who would be two guys you would love to play with in the practice round and I said Ben Crenshaw and Tom Watson. I called Tom and he called me right back two hours later and he was friendly as can be. I’ll always remember that and tell my grandkids, hopefully.”
It won’t be Henley’s last round with Watson. The two-time Masters champion and current Ryder Cup captain signed up both Henley and Smith to play with him in Wednesday’s par-3 tournament.
Drive, Chip & Putt for kids: Move over Punt, Pass & Kick. The Drive, Chip & Putt Championship is coming.
Like that famous football skills competition for kids that culminates with a championship decided during the NFC and AFC championships, golf has come up with its own version and it will be determined at Augusta National the Sunday before next year’s Masters.
Boys and girls in four age groups (7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) will earn points in each skill at 110 local qualifying events nationwide. The top two performers in each age group will advance to regional championships and those winners will come to Augusta for the finals.
The national finals will be decided by the putting competition on the 18th green, where so many pros’ dreams have lived and died.
“Hopefully we’ll get to see some of the gestures we’ve seen around here in the Masters,” chairman Billy Payne said.
Etc.: Thanks to Tiger Woods' re-emergence as golf's most dominant force and the Final Four being played a short drive away at the Georgia Dome, Masters practice-round tickets and tournament badges are commanding huge prices on the secondary market. According to figures posted on the website StubHub.com, four-day tournament badges for Thursday through Sunday are being offered for $9,800 to $17,000. Tickets for Wednesday's practice round, which includes the popular par-3 tournament, were listed for $1,000 to more than $1,700. Face value for practice-round tickets is $50. … The weather forecast for Thursday and Friday's first two rounds of play does not look promising. There's a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms on Thursday with winds gusting as high as 25-30 mph and the chance of rain increases to 70 percent on Friday with the same blustery conditions. … Darren Clarke withdrew because of a hamstring injury.
