The 2011 Masters - The Main Thread

[zeg]

I'll be content as long as it's a tight finish tomorrow.  If Rory just runs away, well, great because he seems like a nice guy, but I just don't find him interesting enough to watch to look forward to that.

I wouldn't write Tiger off yet, but I think his having a chance is contingent on Rory falling apart.  Rory's in as good a spot as you can reasonably ask for: all he needs is a competent round tomorrow and he'll be hard to catch.  However, if Rory does post a par or worse round, Tiger only needs a very good round, not an unbelievably good one.  If Rory shoots a 73 and Tiger finds another 66, well there you go.  There are 9 par-or-higher rounds among the guys in the top 10 this week, so it's not that unlikely that one ends up on Rory's card.

Still, I wouldn't put money on Tiger, no question it's a very tall order.  We all know he's capable of golf miracles, but it's not all in his hands.  He'll need help from the top of the leaderboard even if he plays in his old form.

[michaeljames92]

Gee I think Cabrera is the dark horse going into the final round, this guy always seems to prop up in majors and is nowhere to be seen in regular events! I'd like to see Rory win it though, or even Jason Day or maybe Schwartzel as long as the final round is close and not a runaway win.

[bplewis24]

Remember, a lot of people thought Dustin Johnson was too cool to fold under the pressure at last year's US Open. And he actually had a tour win under his belt already. His lead was only 3 though, right? I don't remember. I, for one, feel it will be very interesting down to the finish. Brandon

[darkhunter139]

Is there no online coverage today? If so that is a shame, I really enjoyed watching on there.  Limited commercials and I even liked the broadcasters better.

[Zeph]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bplewis24

Remember, a lot of people thought Dustin Johnson was too cool to fold under the pressure at last year's US Open. And he actually had a tour win under his belt already.

Yeah, that was a real mess. He led by 3 shots (-6) on McDowell, shot 11 over for a total 5 over par. McDowell was at 3 under, shot 3 over and won at even par.

I would not put all my savings on Rory winning, he's messed up from time to time in single rounds. I think he'll win it though.

Originally Posted by darkhunter139

Is there no online coverage today? If so that is a shame, I really enjoyed watching on there.  Limited commercials and I even liked the broadcasters better.

I suppose there will be coverage on Masters.com.

[darkhunter139]

Oh yeah it just started because the first pairing got to amen corner.  Nice.

[bplewis24]

My prediction (which may be more wishful thinking than anything else, is that KJ Choi breaks through. I'm not sure why, but I like rooting for that guy. It appears Rory has been pretty reliant on his driver this week. If he has any jitters today, I think we'll notice them off the tee with the driver. If he hits fairways today, he's going to win. And if anybody is going to go low to catch him, they better make their move on the front 9. Brandon

[BonoVox]

I think it was Jack said to Rory that he had more tournaments handed to him than he went out and straight out won. Slow and steady will be the name of the game for Rory. Even if someone presses him to share the lead. I think fairways and greens will be key. Ever hole that passes adds more pressure to the field. Hot streaks only take you so far before the odds catch up to you and that ugly bogey creeps in. (in general) 72 I say gives him a 75% chance of winning. The odds just get better if he can go under. Just don't back up under pressure when that player does make a run at you.

Gonna be fun!!

[groovezilla79]

Charl Schwartzel's chip in was epic! I thought he damn near sculled it at first, but he played it beautifully.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by groovezilla79

Charl Schwartzel's chip in was epic! I thought he damn near sculled it at first, but he played it beautifully.

Lots of chip-ins so far. YE Yang and Matt Kuchar too.

[bplewis24]

Charl Schwartzel's chip in was epic! I thought he damn near sculled it at first, but he played it beautifully.

And with that chip and Rory's bogey, it's only a 2-stroke lead after 1 hole. And Rory is in the fairway bunker at the par 5 second hole with no gaurantees of a birdie opportunity. Brandon

[xxsoultonesxx]

Soo many great golfers on the top of the leaderboard, Mcilroy looking shaky to start. Today is gonna be exciting!

[Shindig]

If this round continues the way it seems to be, Rory will be glad he's 21.  Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney can take him out and explain how to recover after such an event, although I'm sure Rory is plenty capable himself.

Of course, plenty of golf to be played.

[Shindig]

Charl Schwarzel... one putt through three holes.

[bplewis24]

OMG Schwartzel!

[Aquaguru]

Tigers got to play the front 3-4 under if he wants to have a chance.  Seems like everyone is playing the back better than the front this year.

[Aquaguru]

Tiger birdies again only 3 back.  This will be interesting.

[bplewis24]

Looking at the leaderboard after Tiger's fourth birdie of the day, there are now 8 people within three strokes of the lead (including the leaders) with at least 11 holes left for all of them. Hopefully this will be an exciting day. Brandon