Masters Finalists - A Setback for Golf Fitness!

[pittpanther]

Take this as pure comedy!

Notice that none of the top-three Masters finalists was in any way, shape, or form, in "peak physical condition." A chain-smoker, a 48-year-old (!), and a pudgy, moon-faced guy.

Not a flat belly in the bunch!

Kenny Perry is in good shape for a 48 year old guy, but he's not in good shape.
Angel was tearing up the gum, to replace his smoking habit. Looked like a cow - I wanted to reach through my screen and tip him over.
And Campbell's face! The last time I saw a face that round was on Margaret Cho. Lance Armstrong (also from Texas - mus be some good eatin' down there) used to have a slight moonface - pre-cancer. Nothing like a bout of chemo to get you to lose those last 15 pounds and subsequently win 8 Tours de France.

Never let it be said that golf requires great athletic ability. The fact that a 48 year old can almost win your most-famous tournament puts the kibosh on that idea!

OK, sarcasm off! It was a great tournament - even my wife and kids were riveted.

[NorCalGolfer]

Angel was tearing up the gum, to replace his smoking habit. Looked like a cow - I wanted to reach through my screen and tip him over.

BAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH "tip him over"

[Lemay427]

HAHAHA I thought about this too while watching the playoff.

[BallStriker]

There is room for fat-boys in professional sports....e.g., CC Sabathia and Prince Fielder in MLB....O. Pace (and plenty others) in the NFL....crap, even the NBA isn't immune with Tractor Traylor and Big Baby...

[kafka01]

A chain-smoker

Does he still smoke or does he chew gum nonstop instead?

[Shindig]

Does he still smoke or does he chew gum nonstop instead?

Cabrera quit not long after his U.S. Open win.

[titaniummd]

They look 'bigger' on TV. However, they are not as fit as Tiger or thin as Weir/Kim/Mahan.

Even Michelson looked thinner in person than on TV. It looked like he lost some weight.

[johnL7]

Haha, when i saw Angel chewing his gum during the playoff it brought back memories of him chain-smoking his way to winning the US Open in 07. Just goes to show you that you don't need to be in great physical shape to be one of the best golfers in the world.

[Golf_Predictor_Guru]

I've started eating double helpings - I hope to get my handicap right down in a few months!!!!

[Three Putt]

That was funny....verrry nice.

[Chas]

It's good for the game of golf - by giving hope to Everyman. Big tent etc.

I told my wife that Campbell looks like the big Winnie The Pooh who sits on our guest bed. So benign looking, what a tough guy on the course.

Variety is the spice of golf.

[Clubswinger21]

Funny. I was going for the husky one.

[BASHERBAKER69]

Angel looks like a Colombian drugs baron. The way he played on Sunday it wouldn't have surprised me if he had snorted a few lines of cocaine with Phil Mick in the locker rooms beforehand. .

I say mandatory drugs testing for all tournament winners.

[Dpricenator]

Well good news for me. I am in perfect physical condition to be the best of the best. All I need now is a decent golf swing. Half way there.

[Dub]

I've never seen anyone work a stick of gum like Angel was doing.....even in his follow-through he was grinding it out......funny stuff. I love the way he just charged ahead....swagger up to the ball and kapow.....away it goes....far away.

I think he'd fun to hang out with....pound down some brews and grill out. I've often heard the Argintines are masterful with steaks and beef grilling in general.

[misty_mountainhop]

Ha. What do you mean by "golf fitness"?? It's not the NFL or the Olympic 100m Final. Golf has and always will require different skills etc to other sports. Just because Tiger is in good (stereotypical) shape, doesn't mean it works for anyone else. More power to the "stout" guys I reckon .

[RC]

Based on what I saw, the most fit part of the golfer's body must be the area between the ears combined with some good bounces and being in the zone with the putter. Angel won with skill and optimizing the strengths he has.

So what if the golfers looked more like hammer throwers than runners. I'm a fitness freak and work out all the time, but I don't think my decision making on the golf course is as good as my work-out routines.

[PEZGolf]

You are right---they are not the most physically fit golfers on the planet---all three in the playoff. This brings back the old discussion of whether golf is a sport or a game. I maintain that it is a game, not a sport, and the players are NOT athletes, although some of them can be in athletic shape. To say this is not to demean golfers. After all, I am one myself. It is to face reality. Since I have played basketball and soccer and football (all of which are true sports), and walk always when I play golf, I know the physical training for golf and the exercise during 18 holes proves to me that it is a game. Therefore, golfers like Angel, Chad, and Kenny can not only play the game, they can be at the top of their Tour (at least for one tournament). We must all remember how important the short game is in golf for scoring, and you do not have to be in great physical shape to develop a short game. You can smoke, be overweight, and drink. Actually, some people who do all three have better short games than the guys who work out religiously at the gym and have their own personal trainer!