THE BUZZ
Left-handers’ edition
In Tiger-proofing the Augusta National Golf Club course after Tiger Woods’ victories between 1997-2002, there have been changes that are decidedly favorable to left-handers, especially left-handers who hit the ball as far as Bubba Watson.
Lefties have won half of the Masters over the past 12 years. Mike Weir broke through first in 2003, then Phil Mickelson three times (2004, 2006, 2010) and now Watson twice.
Watson averaged 316 yards on the drives measured in Round 4, 16 yards more than his average in the first three rounds. But that doesn’t do justice to his drives on No. 8 and No. 13 (both par 5s) in the final round. On No. 8, his 328-yard blast made it almost to the crosswalk, more than 30 yards ahead of playing partner Jordan Spieth. Watson then hit a sweeping drive on No. 13 that measured 366 yards, a shot that Spieth said, “I will never forget. I thought that it was out of bounds 70 yards left and it’s perfect.”
Watson is the first player since Arnold Palmer to win twice in his first six appearances. First Masters champion Horton Smith won two of the first three.
BY THE NUMBERS
2
Masters champions over past 21 years who have made birdie on par-3 No. 4 on Sunday: Mark O’Meara in 1998 and Watson in 2014
MONEY TALK
Progression of champions’ winnings through the years. Bubba Watson collected $1,620,000.
Year; Winner’s share; Champion;
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;
MONEY TALK II
Winnings for the top five places this year:
1st; $1,620,000
2nd; $972,000
3rd; $612,000
4th; $432,000
5th; $360,000
TWITTERATI
Pat Summitt @patsummitt
Congrats @BubbaWatson & @AngieWatson1977! What an accomplishment winning your second green jacket @The_Masters. #SEC
HE SAID IT
“I played the par 5s in even par this week, which you just can’t do out here. I’m even par for the tournament and even par for the par 5s. So you’re looking to play the par 5s somewhere around 10 to 12 under par. And obviously if I had of done that, it would have been a different story. It’s been a frustrating week, because I felt like from tee to green, I played as good as the leaders.”
— Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy
MAJOR DATES
114th U.S. Open: June 12-15, Pinehurt No. 2, Pinehurst, N.C.
143rd British Open: July 17-20, Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, England
96th PGA Championship: Aug 7-10, Valhalla, Louisville, Ky.
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