The Home Straight

What did I say yesterday? That Mickelson and Westwood didn't have it in them this week because of their short putting? Maybe it's time for a rethink.

Yesterday was one of the greatest days of golf ever seen at Augusta, and one the best rounds you'll ever see anywhere. Phil Mickelson set the course alight for a 40-minute period in which he picked up 5 shots. Maybe his short putting isn't brilliant, so he decided not to bother with it. A 30-footer for eagle on the 13th, holing from the fairway for eagle on the 14th, and oh-so-close to a holed 70-yard wedge on the 15th. He had to settle for birdie there, but it was enough to put him, if not in the driving seat, at least in the front of the car.

Next to this dazzling display, you could be forgiven for thinking Westwood was failing to deliver. In reality, he shot a very composed 68, recovering well from a bogey at the 12th to take a one shot lead again by the end of the day. He's looked calm all week, and the putter didn't seem to give him too much trouble yesterday. Not to rule out the guys behind them, but if it is a two-horse race, it's going to be one hell of a race.

Tiger and KJ Choi will play together for the 4th day in a row, and on -8, they're still in the tournament. They need to get off to a fast start, but we all know Tiger's capable of anything. Choi probably doesn't have enough in the tank to win, but I'd expect him to turn in a lucrative 3rd or 4th place finish. Tiger's driving still looks a little too wild to rely on him to shoot a mid-60s score, and he missed some uncharacteristic putts yesterday. As always, I'm not saying he won't, but....

I don't see the winner coming from outside the final two pairings, and the guys behind Woods and Choi are playing for top-5s, barring heroics. The people's favourite Freddie Couples shot a great 68 yesterday, rolling in an eagle of his own down the stretch, and he looked to be in his comfort zone again. The dream is still alive, but only just. Knowing Freddie though, he's probably waiting a couple more years to win - a guy should have a bit of maturity. He's just waiting till he hits it a bit shorter.

It was a disappointing day for Ian Poulter, who never really got it going, and slipped back to -6. He won't be shrugging on the green jacket this year, but it's still been an important week for him in the major learning curve.

It's unusual for the winner in the Masters not to be in the final pairing, and with the 3-shot difference between 2nd and 3rd, that stat doesn't look like changing this year. There is one guy who might have a few words to say about that, but he's yet to win a major without holding the 54-hole lead.

Whatever happens on Sunday, we're guaranteed another exhilarating day of golf. That's what the Masters does. You're not comfortable with a 3-shot lead and four to play - there's plenty that can go wrong, or right, on that back nine.

That's Augusta.

Part 2

Once again, my favourite week of the year is living up to expectations.

It's been a great start to the 2010 US Masters, and will only get better in rounds 3 and 4.

Some big names have dropped out, most notably the Irish challengers, but there's plenty of talent atop the Augusta leaderboard.

Let's get one thing clear right away - it's great to see Tiger back where he belongs. No one quite knew how his return to the course would go, but it's been business as usual. The World Number has played two solid days to leave himself in a very dangerous position at -6, 2 shots off the English duo of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. Also tied with Woods are Phil Mickelson, KJ Choi, Ricky Barnes, and last week's winner Anthony Kim.

So what next?

Everyone knows Saturday as moving day, and all eyes will be on Tiger to see what he does. It remains to see how the course sets up today, but you've got to think he'll be looking to shoot something around a 68 and get to double figures. -10 could well be the lead going into the final round, and he tends not to lose a final round lead. In fact, the only man who's taken a final round major lead from him to win is sitting one shot behind him, at -5. You can still back Y.E. Yang at 30/1 with the bookies - if that's not worth a fiver each way I don't know what is. Once Yang gets into the mix in a tournament, he doesn't quickly fall away. He's in fine shape here, and has looked solid so far. The same goes for his fellow South Korean KJ Choi. He's a man who's returned to form this year, and before Yang exploded on to the scene he was set to be Asia's first major winner. Don't rule him out.

I wish I thought differently, but I don't think Lee Westwood is going to pick up his first major this week. He's definitely getting much closer, but his putting still isn't top class, and on the back nine on Sunday, that's what matters. Whose putting is top class? His playing partner, Ian Poulter. I can hardly remember him missing from inside 10 feet this year, and he's going to relish the challenge of the final group today. I think he's going to outscore Lee by 2 shots, and set up a great chance to take the green jacket.

It's the putting that stops me fancying Mickelson as well - in general it's been ok, but you can't win a major if you're worrying about the 3-footers.

Anthony Kim is the USA's answer to Ian Poulter - a fired up, cocky young man, who's full of belief after a win in Houston. He made a couple of great saves yesterday, and he's definitely in the hunt.

It was sad to see the old guard slip a little yesterday, but Freddie Couples and Tom Watson are still there at -3, and while a fairytale might be a little too far, a top-10 finish isn't.

The way the course is playing this week, I don't see someone bursting from the pack with a 65 today, but still in it at -3 is Dane Soren Kjeldsen, one of the solidest players on the European tour over the past 18 months. Again, I think a win is out of his reach at this stage, but don't be too surprised if he finishes in the top 5 or 6.

The Masters weekend is always a joy, and this year shows no signs of being any different.

Partners in Crime

With everyone watching Tiger, it's easy to forget that there are two guys who have to play their own game right beside him for 5 hours.

We were all waiting to see who'd be given the task, embraced by some, feared by others. It's fallen to two of the PGA Tour's in form players, KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar, in the penultimate group of the day.

In the early 2000s, playing with Tiger cost players an average of a stroke or two on their round, whether from the noise of the crowds, the man himself, or whatever. Guys are acclimatizing a little better these days, but there's no doubt that the atmosphere will be electric tomorrow.

Choi has declared himself delighted, and he's the sort of player who might well feed off the pomp. Kuchar played with Woods in Augusta back in 1998 - both men have changed since then, but Kuchar's been one of the solidest players this year - don't expect him to crumble.

Straight out of the blocks will be Louis Oosthuizen, one of my long shot picks for the week. With 6 top-15s in a row in Europe, including a 2nd and win in his last two starts, the young South African's red-hot and will be anxious to join Els, Goosen, and Schwartzel in the charge.

Padraig Harrington and Schwartzel join up with Stewart Cink in the 4th-last group, which is one of the grandstand pairings of the day. Ian Poulter and Steve Stricker follow them, before Tiger hits the 1st tee.

At 10.13 local time, the strongly-fancied Ernie Els will play with last week's winner Anthony Kim and teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa, in what should be another entertaining trio.

There's going to be some great golf to watch as always, and from the look of the weather forecast it's never going to play too big a part.

The par-3 competition is about to get underway today - no player has done the double yet, and indeed I've seen players walk off the final hole if they think they're going to win the par-3 and curse themselves. Golf is a game for superstitious people, but maybe, on the 50th anniversary of the first par 3 tournament, a little history can be made.

Masters Tale of the Day

1968 - final round - 17th hole. Argentina's Roberto De Vicenzo, reigning British Open Champion, made a birdie 3. After signing his scorecard however, he discovered that his playing partner Tommy Aaron had written down a 4. The higher score had to stand, leaving him one shot behind Bob Goalby, and missing out on the 18-hole playoff the following day.

Most golfers know a good deal of misery, and you have to applaud de Vicenzo for his acceptance of his loss. His charming "What a stupid I am!" has gone down in the legends of the game.

For anyone who wants a happy ending, in 1970 he was awarded the Bob Jones Award for outstanding sportsmanship in golf.

Masterclass

It's that time of year again.

It's not too much to say that when Masters week gets close, I'm like a child looking forward to Christmas. It's my favourite 4-day stretch of the year, and it never disappoints.

Whether it's players getting trapped in the azaleas and rhododendrons, the par-3 contest everyone tries desperately to lose, Sunday at the 16th, or the incredibly stilted presentation ceremony, the Masters makes golfers happy. And it's on BBC - so no ads!

This year we all know where the focus is, but all that means is that a few of our tips can slip in under the radar. The main man gave his first press conference yesterday, and the golfing world was glad to see him back.

Ok, I'm not going to say he's not going to win, because you can't say that. Let's be honest, you will never see Tiger priced at 5/1 for any tournament again, so I still say it's not a bad bet. Realistically though, no matter how good your practice is, there's no substitute for match practice, and that's where the difficulty is. On the other hand, he's not going to play unless he believes he can win. The most important thing to remember is that he's the greatest golfer in the history of the world.

Augusta is a course for horses - out of 73 Masters 15 guys have won 42 (roughly), so you can never expect the rookies to triumph (no one since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979). Looking at the rookies this year though, there's plenty of great form coming in. Bill Haas already has a win this year, and in Francesco Molinari and Charl Schwartzel are two of my outside bets. The younger Molinari's about 150/1 with the bookies, and 17/1 to register a top-10. Schwartzel posted another top-5 last week in Houston, and has really got his putter hot this year, which is what Augusta demands. At 50/1, Ernie Els's protege is great value for a punt.

Little Tim Clark has a track record here, and at 100/1 he's grossly overpriced. At 70/1 you can pick up Vijay Singh and Robert Allenby.

My favourite overall is about 22/1, and it's Retief Goosen. He's had a host of top-5s here in the past, and he's in superbly consistent form this year.

But enough about the betting tips. Masters week is there to enjoy, not to make money. Maybe I'm still bitter about Kenny Perry blowing a lead with 3 to play and costing me an 80/1 bet last year, who knows?

Keep an eye here as the week goes by; I'll be back with more musings each day.

Masters Tale of the Day

1935 - final round - 15th hole. Gene Sarazen turns to his caddy, a tall, black man known only as "Stovepipe", and asks him what he needs to win. "4 threes, Mr. Gene". In other words: eagle, par, birdie, birdie.

Sarazen takes a 4-wood, hoods the face, and hits it 235 yards. Into the hole. For an albatross 2. 3 pars later he was into a playoff with Craig Wood, which he would win.

To this day, ask any true golf fan about "the shot heard around the world".

American Idol

Everyone knows about Rory McIlroy. He's no longer a callow rookie who’s fun to watch, but a seasoned pro whose name will be on that Sunday leaderboard more often than not. He’s big in Europe, he’s big in America. McIlroy’s the sort of guy the fickle American fans can get behind, and believe me, that means a lot if you’re playing the PGA Tour. Just ask Colin Montgomerie.

But do the Americans have their own McIlroy on the rise? Is there a young, exciting player in the States who’s going to carry the flag in future majors and Ryder Cups?

How about Rickie Fowler?

Still a virtual unknown this side of the water, Fowler is fast making a name for himself in the US. The number one ranked amateur golfer in the world for 36 weeks in 2007 and 2008, and twice Walker Cup-player with a 7-1 record, he hit the headlines in 2008, shooting -1 in the first round of the US Open.

He turned pro at the end of last year, and finished T-7^th in his PGA Tour professional debut in October. A week later, he lost to Troy Matteson in a playoff at the Frys.com Open, just his second Tour event as a pro. Last month, Fowler had another opportunity to win in Scottsdale, before finishing second to Hunter Mahan.

To get a feel of what Fowler’s like – you have to see him, you have to hear him. He’s a flashy-dressing, motorbike-jumping, swashbuckling guy, and he brings it all to the golf course. His swing is a homemade thrasher of a swing, terrifyingly fast, but it gets the job done. During that 2^nd place last October, he had an eagle in each round and a hole-in-one.

He doesn’t watch himself for hours on video, he doesn’t over-analyse his game. He just goes out there and plays golf. In interviews he seems cool and collected. Maybe he’s going to need a bit of analysis to improve over the years, and as he matures I’ve no doubt this will come. At the moment though, he’s a breath of fresh air on to the ever less dominant PGA Tour.

How does he compare with McIlroy? Physically speaking, they’re the same height, weight, and Fowler’s just 5 months older. They even have similarly terrible haircuts.

There’s no doubt that McIlroy is the more polished player – he has the classic swing and more professional manner, but there’s more to the comparison when you go deeper. Both rely on their long games a little too much, and need to hole some more putts. Both are ready to take on that big shot when it really counts. Both love the pressure of competing. Despite Fowler’s wilder approach to the game, he’s got a coolness and maturity about him that make you feel he’s here to stay.

Rory McIlroy is a future World No. 1. He’s going to win at least a few majors and heaps of Ryder Cups. Rickie Fowler – we don’t know. He’s still the raw youth that McIlroy was two years ago. He probably doesn’t have the consistency to ever be the best player in the world, but he’s going to compete. I’ve no doubt that he’ll face McIlroy down the stretch of tournaments to come, and he’ll prevail in some of them. They’ll play Ryder Cups against each other, and they’ll share some wins there.

Rickie Fowler is the perfect sportsman for the American fans – he’s young, wild, attractive, and talented. He’ll play to the rowdy crowds, and get pumped up on Sunday afternoons. He’ll miss three cuts running and win the next week out. The sponsors have noticed this and every week he’s a got a new “fashionable” look.

For some time the US Tour has lacked what Europe has in spades – the early 20s players of the next generation. It’s great to see Ernie, Furyk, Mickelson and co. winning, but we also need to see who’s waiting to take over.

Watch Rickie Fowler.

Tiger Owes Us Nothing

Who do we think we are?

Since 1997, (or 1994 if you really know your stuff) Tiger Woods has been one of the premier entertainers on the planet. He may be a golfer first and foremost, but for us, he’s a guy we love to watch do his thing. His exceptional physical talent and terrifying mental powers have made him the greatest athlete of our generation, and he has delivered, time and again, providing us with some of the greatest sporting moments in history.

So where do we get off looking for apologies for his behaviour off the course? How exactly has he let us down? He’s let himself down. He’s let his family down. Maybe he’s let his sponsors down. But us?

It never ceases to amaze me how arrogant the sports-watching couch potatoes can be. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first to shout angry and helpful advice at Johnny Sexton when he pushes a kick wide of the posts.

Nowadays, however, viewers seem to feel a sense of ownership over Tiger, Federer, O’Driscoll, and others. By watching Tiger, do you own some of the Tiger brand? If you do, I’d say sell it and live on the proceeds for the rest of your life.

I was upset when I heard the revelations about his private life, because I’m a massive Tiger fan. But did I feel betrayed? Did I demand an apology? I don’t have that high an opinion of myself.

Tiger Woods owes us nothing. People will climb on to higher horses than they’ve ever imagined and tell us that it’s us who have put Tiger where he is – without us he wouldn’t be the star of sport, without the viewers he’d be nothing. So ask yourself this – did Tiger come to the viewers looking to be watched? Or did we go to Tiger, because we were beginning to realise that the man in the red shirt was the most exciting prospects in the history of sport? Did we go to him, following the human instinct to cling to something special and not let go?

In 2005, on the 16th hole at Augusta National, Tiger Woods hit what was, given the circumstances, the greatest golf shot I have ever seen. With Chris DiMarco lying 12 feet away for birdie, Tiger faced a horrendously difficult chip shot, the ball against the collar of the rough, the green sloping every which way. No one who watched that shot live can forget the second the ball spent on the lip of the hole, with the Nike swoosh looking out at us, in the greatest advertisement ever made, before it toppled in to the cup.

So what was your reaction? Was it to nod calmly, and say “Well I’m glad I managed to sort that one out for him”? Or was it like mine – a leap into the air followed by an animal yell, partly in excitement, and partly in pain as I crashed into a table.

Tiger’s success is not a product of our support. It is a product of his diligence, work rate, and drive to be better. It is a product of his parents’ care for him and, perhaps, too much pressure on him. He is a self-made man, and we cannot claim an iota of credit for his fame.

If you claim to be let down by his affairs, answer me this. Where were you when he was being shunned as a young black teenager in his local club? Where were you when his father died?

Even his sponsors, who do have claim to being let down – look at how much money they have pumped into him – they spotted a business opportunity and invested in it. The returns have been staggering. After 15 years of unmitigated success they now have to take some rough with the smooth.

Tiger Woods has not only changed the game for the viewers; he’s changed the game for the professionals. The PGA and European Tours today are stronger for Tiger’s contribution. Pros have to play against a phenomenon – never before has there been so much extra kudos attached to a victory when one man is in the tournament field. If you can play the great man and beat him you’re spomething special. Y.E. Yang became the first man to take a major from Tiger after Woods held the 54-hole lead – that’s not forgotten in a hurry.

Tiger Woods owes us nothing. 20 years ago no one could watch him play. 40 years from now, no one will be able to watch him play. We are the most privileged golfing generation yet – how about we stop moaning, sit back, and enjoy it.

Into The East

The PGA Tour heads to Florida for the month of March, and where better to start than PGA National?

The Honda Classic has thrown up some great winners over the years, including Padraig Harrington in 2005, for his first win across the pond. Harrington will be looking to get his game back on track after a mixed 2009, but for him, the season's only beginning.

It's a fantastic field - Westwood, Casey, Villegas, Allenby, Els, defending champion Yang, and Sergio Garcia to name but a few. There is as much talent this week as in any event so far this year, with the exception perhaps of the WGC World Matchplay.

So who'll do it?

Robert Allenby's my top pick for the week - he's playing great this year - another top-10 last week in Scottsdale boosts the stats some more. Always a great iron-player, Allenby's started to get his putting going in 2010 with a new technique, and watch out for him in all four majors this year. Even if the putter isn't too hot this week, PGA National's a ball-striker's course.

Once you hear those words, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia instantly jump up the list. Three of the finest ball-striker's in the game have all enjoyed some success this year already, and all three think they're the next major winner.

Tim Clark's another guy who's a good bet this week - the one downside is that he's never played the course before, but the upside is his fantastic play. Little Tim's a fighter, and he's frighteningly accurate with the irons. His one weakness is his chipping, but if he hits enough greens this week I'd expect him to finish very high up.

Ernie Els needs to get a little more consistency into his game, but he's shown promise this year. He'll definitely be in the mix in a major or two, and he's won here before.

Charles Howell has had a rough run for a guy with so much talent, but another high finish last week makes me think his game could finally be coming to fruition. The Schwartzel of the US?

Long shot this week? Watch out for Scott Piercy. He had a decent finish last week at Scottsdale, and gave this event a scare last year.

For me though, this tournament is exciting for another reason. Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy are both teeing it up this week, and I'm hoping they'll get at least one round together. Europe's new young talent is a little more experienced and proven that American Fowler, but they're two guys who we'll be seeing a lot of in the coming years, and expect a few back-nine battles between them. Fowler doesn't have the same measured swing as McIlroy, being a bit more swashbuckling, but he's got a hell of a long game and a great mindset.

There are more similarities between these guys than the closeness in age and a good driver though. Check back here on Monday for a closer look at how McIlroy and Fowler square up against each other; in the meantime, watch out for them on the Sunday leaderboard.