The 2012 Masters Discussion Thread

[brocks]

Disregard my last post about featured groups --- the Google headline said "Featured Groups for Rounds 1 and 2 - Newsroom - 2012 Masters," but I just noticed that it's actually for 2011. I should have seen that immediately from the fact that the names in the groups were wrong, but I hadn't had my coffee yet. Here's the 2012 list: "Masters.com will stream two Featured Group channels during Friday's second round of the Masters Tournament. These live channels will broadcast two select groupings beginning on No. 10 on all Tournament round days. Additional groupings will be shown after the earlier scheduled groupings complete play. Featured Group No. 1 Lineup: 8:34 a.m.: Louis Oosthuizen, Mark Wilson, Graeme McDowell 12:36 p.m.*: Kyle Stanley, Jason Day, Bill Haas 1:42 p.m.*: Tiger Woods, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Sang-Moon Bae Featured Group No. 2 Lineup: 8:45 a.m.: Zach Johnson, Ian Poulter, Patrick Cantlay 12:47 p.m.*: Trevor Immelman, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose 1:53 p.m.*: Luke Donald, Francesco Molinari, Nick Watney * Scheduled to follow the previous group’s completion of play." http://www.masters.com/en_US/news/articles/2012-04-05/201204051333662886391.html

[uttexas]

Bubba looks hazardous out there, but he's definitely got the game. I don't care for the videos and stuff. He got around the course today with a good score after some good scrambling, but like earlier, I have a hard time seeing his big swing hold up on a Sunday.

Yep, extremely gifted athlete with anxiety and attention issues. He has to put so much effort into staying mentally fit on the course, while what he does physically looks easy for him

[zipazoid]

Originally Posted by LobWedge

Unless Lee (Clint Eastwood) Westwood starts feeling sorry for the rest of the contenders, its already in the bag. He'll know it himself, three 69's to win by a country mile. I think he's got another three 67's in his bag, no sweat.

Just curious - which Major has Westwood already shown this ability? He's been in this position before, only to fade to a T22.

I think he needs to win one before he strikes fear in his opponents and/or has the ability to win one by 'a country mile'.

[Zeph]

He's proved that he can get himself into contention, but not been able to get it done on Sunday. The last three years show pretty clear that he's playing really well in the majors, just not getting the win. 2009 The Masters: 43 US Open: T23 The Open: T3 PGA: T3 2010 The Masters: 2 US Open: T16 The Open: 2 PGA: DNP 2011 The Masters: T11 US Open: T3 The Open: Cut PGA: T8

[zipazoid]

^^ There ya go.

So yeah. IF he shoots three 69s he'll likely win. Three 67s will be by a country mile.

But he has to do it first. And if he does it will indeed be the first...time he's done that.

[LobWedge]

I see the Brits: Laird and Woosie have made a good start to round two. What Tiger and Michelson would give for something like it. I hope Arnie has a better round today.

[LobWedge]

The Springbock's have taken a big hit. Oostie's doubled the second. Details to follow...

[Chilli Dipper]

^^ There ya go.

So yeah. IF he shoots three 69s he'll likely win. Three 67s will be by a country mile.

But he has to do it first. And if he does it will indeed be the first...time he's done that.

Three more 67s would break Tiger's scoring record, so that's extremely unlikely. Depending on how conditions are today (if the temperatures remain as cool as predicted, and the gusts do pick up), the 275 Lee finished on two years ago could prove to win this year's tournament. He matched his first round total from 2010 yesterday; let's see if he can shoot 69 today.

[bplewis24]

I'm pretty sure that was a troll post (about Eastwood Westwood).

I was predicting Westwood would finish 2nd to Tiger in this tournament, and rooting for him to win if Tiger doesn't.  However, IMO Westwood's chances are all about Saturday.  He often takes himself out of contention on Saturday and then has a great Sunday, or vice versa.

Brandon

[LobWedge]

Early prediction. Remember you heard it here first. Sandy Lyle probably won't make the cut

[newtogolf]

I heard an interview with Phil where he predicted that with the greens being slower due to weather guys not usually in contention would be.  As the greens speed up and become less receptive to shots from futher out, course experience will play a major role in who wins.  Could be wishful thinking on his part too.

[topspin4hand]

Rough start for Oosthuizen: double bogey on the par 5 second hole and a bogey on the par 3 fourth hole.

[brocks]

Tiger is on a great run; he's already pulled to within one of Oosthuizen.

[brocks]

I heard an interview with Phil where he predicted that with the greens being slower due to weather guys not usually in contention would be.  As the greens speed up and become less receptive to shots from futher out, course experience will play a major role in who wins.  Could be wishful thinking on his part too.

I think Phil's exact words were "birdie fest," so he missed on that one. Yesterday's scoring average was 73.4, the highest for a first round since 2008. And that was in spite of the weather being much better than anyone expected.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Full disclosure: I do not think the sun rises and sets around Tiger Woods and that however poorly he behaves he gets a pass because he's a really good golfer. Never did. End of full disclosure. Some people would think that qualifies me as a Tiger "hater." Good grief.

In his interview yesterday after his round, Tiger was the opposite of the last time I heard him interviewed there--short, snippy answers, sour expression and tone, let-me-out-of-here-mood. Yesterday he was gracious, answered every question directly and fully, expressed some humility, smiled often--in short, he behaved like a gentleman golfer is supposed to.

Yesterday I heard David Feherty interviewed on the Dan Patrick show (ESPN radio). DF said the difference in Tiger isn't the swing (he told Tiger at Tavistock, "I can't see a difference between the swing you have now and the one you had on the Mike Douglas Show."). It's that he seems to be comfortable in his own skin for the first time. As far as I'm concerned, that's the New Tiger, and I'm happy for it.

We're seeing good golf from him his year, I didn't think we wouldn't. What we're seeing in addition is a positive change in his character, and that is the most pleasing of all.

[darkhunter139]

Is there anyway to watch online like there was yesterday? TV coverage does not start till 3....

Edit: nvm it has the times listed on Masters.com

Coverage does not start till 12 of the featured groups.

[Motley01]

Uh oh. It looks to be like a difficult day for scoring, with the winds gusting at 25 and cold.

I sure hope Phil can still score well with these conditions.

It's gonna be another interesting day for sure.

[LobWedge]

The Yanks are making their usual day 2 move. Dufner's in the lead. What's the cut btw? Top 45 and ties with the 10 shot rule? 2nd prediction: Woosie's not going to make the cut adding another former champ who shouldn't be taking up precious places embarrassing himself. I heard he's here for the free grub.