Masters Past Champions. When Is Enough, Enough?

[Sandy Lie]

Past Masters Champions are eligible to continue playing event up until they themselves decide its time to give it up due to various reasons (age, illness, being competitive and other reasons). As most know Jack Nicklaus is the oldest to win the Masters at age 46 in 1986.

I just read this article about Ian Woosnam.  He’s 63, he’s had some health issues but he feels good enough to play.

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/not-done-yet-ian-woosnam-soaking-yet-another-masters-start

Is there a point when you should not play in this event in which you can’t compete anymore.  Now Sam Snead is the oldest player to win a PGA event at 52 years old back in 1965.

There are exceptions of course, Bernard Langer made history as the oldest player to make the cut at age 63 in 2020, but he also did in 2018 and 2019.  Sandy Lyle also continues to play.

So the question is should the Masters initiate a rule that once you reach a certain age (to be determined by them) and you continue to miss the cut that they should not be eligible to play anymore as they are not competitive anymore.  I recall Arnold Palmer saying he did not want to get the “Letter”, he last played at age 72!  Billy Casper got the “Letter” after he went 15 years missing the cut 15 consecutive years. Bask in that time frame Hootie Johnson was trying to phase out less competitive players by doing this.

Edited April 6, 2021 by Sandy Lie
Sentence error

[tristanhilton85]

I don't have any issues with the past champions playing until they're ready to give it up. Sometimes the may go on a bit longer than one might think they should but I feel that they've earned the right to do so.

[jmanbooyaa]

They have earned the right. 2 days of golf ain’t gonna hurt any viewers. 

[Big C]

What is the objection to allowing past Masters Champions to play as long as they are physically able and can maintain an adequate pace? Do you believe that they are detracting from your enjoyment of the tournament somehow?

[dennyjones]

Question:

If a past winner doesn't play, can they still participate in the dinner and other weekly events?

[ncates00]

3 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

Question:

If a past winner doesn't play, can they still participate in the dinner and other weekly events?

Pretty sure Jack and the others who don't play in the Masters still go to the dinner and play the par 3. Tiger and others have talked about older past champions and their stories at the dinner.

[dennyjones]

Thanks for the reply.   If they are allowed to participate in those events, I believe they should be able to play golf until they decide it isn't practical.   They all have egos and when they realize it's time to stop, they'll stop.    Some may play just for the memories of past events but they'll soon realize they aren't competitive anymore and stop.   It's a unique situation compared to other events

[boogielicious]

They earned it. Let them play. Plus they share a wealth of knowledge to the younger players.

[colin007]

1 hour ago, Big C said:

What is the objection to allowing past Masters Champions to play as long as they are physically able and can maintain an adequate pace? Do you believe that they are detracting from your enjoyment of the tournament somehow?

Yes. I don't like old people.

My solution is to make past winners play together as 6:30 a.m. tee times both Thurs and Fri starting on 10. Problem solved.

[ChetlovesMer]

1 minute ago, colin007 said:

Yes. I don't like old people.

Ouch. That hurts. 

[dennyjones]

1 minute ago, colin007 said:

Yes. I don't like old people.

dang, tough room.   How old is old?  

I use to think that way... but believe me getting older is much better than the alternative~! (pushing daisies) 

[colin007]

8 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

Ouch. That hurts. 

 

7 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

dang, tough room.   How old is old?  

I use to think that way... but believe me getting older is much better than the alternative~! (pushing daisies) 

🙂

I'm hoping to die in my sleep at the age of 59 with all of my faculties intact

[boogielicious]

Just now, colin007 said:

 

🙂

I'm hoping to die in my sleep at the age of 59 with all of my faculties intact

I’m 61! 🤪

[ChetlovesMer]

3 minutes ago, colin007 said:

 

🙂

I'm hoping to die in my sleep at the age of 59 with all of my faculties intact

 

3 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I’m 61! 🤪

Wew, I guess by this definition I have 9 good years left. 

Back to topic, Bernhard Langer is still competitive. Some guys 10 years younger than him aren't. It's hard to put an age on this thing. I say let 'em play. It's so cool if one of them gets into the hunt. If they don't make the cut they are gone by Saturday anyway. Let 'em play. 

[switchhittingsteve]

Agree, let them play.  They've earned it and it keeps the history of the game intact.  I agree with another comment earlier, these guys have egos as well, so when they start posting mid 80's, they call it quits on their own.  

[iacas]

Change the rules to something like this:

• You can play as long as you like so long as:
  • You can maintain pace.
  • You can shoot within 10 (or some number) of the field average for Thursday and Friday (or you make the cut).

That's it. Nobody wants to be out there with a former winner shooting 87.

They basically do this now because they'll "suggest" to some former champions that they hang 'em up.

[mohearn]

4 hours ago, colin007 said:

Yes. I don't like old people.

Hey! Beats the alternative.

Out of respect for players playing competitively with a chance to win (or earn significant $$) past champions should be encouraged to step aside when they are no longer competitive. I suspect its only a handful of players who can't let go.  Turn the page....

 

[Zippo]

4 hours ago, colin007 said:

 

🙂

I'm hoping to die in my sleep at the age of 59 with all of my faculties intact

Keeping hating old people like you do and one of them may facilitate that for you!  😁