When Should Past Masters Champions Stop Playing?

[turtleback]

I agree.  If there is a problem then pair them up with each other Instead of mixing them through the field.  Some of the amateurs can't break 80 at Augusta either, but I don't hear anyone griping about that.

I agree with this.  And if pace of play for the older players is an issue then I would be OK with modifying the tee times so that the older players went out near the back of the field on both Thurs and Fri.  Although I'm not sure that the older guys aren't, in many cases, among the fastest players - even if they walk slower.  So maybe pace of play isn't even an issue.

IAC I think it adds a lot to have the legends there playing and it does not really detract.  No one loses a spot because a past champion decides to play.  It doesn't really affect my viewing experience as a fan.  I really don't see why this tradition, which has existed for a long time, should change.  Let the player make the decision, IMO.

[boogielicious]

I thought winners were automatically qualified for the masters for the following 5 years?

After that, if ya don't qualify, your outta there!

(That's what I think it should be anyway)

That is the other majors, not the Masters.  You win the Masters, you don't need to qualify.

[dkolo]

I thought winners were automatically qualified for the masters for the following 5 years?

After that, if ya don't qualify, your outta there!

(That's what I think it should be anyway)

+1.

Didn't vote b/c the above option wasn't there.

Winners of other majors are qualified for the Masters for 5 years. Winners of the Masters are qualified for the Masters for life. Other majors have different rules for auto-qualifying for past champions. I think the PGA uses the Masters rule, the Open is until you're 60 (or you're Tom Watson), and the US Open is only auto-qualified for 10 years.

As long as they can keep up on pace, I couldn't care less if they can't break 100 if they want to play. If they realize they're going to play badly and it might affect the partner, have them play with a marker or send them out with one another. If Arnold, Jack, or Tiger feel like they want to play at 90, God bless them.

[Golfingdad]

Winners of the Masters are qualified for the Masters for life.

Well that stinks.  I'd hoped it was longer so someday Arnold Palmer could pull a Weekend At Bernie's at the Masters.  People would love it.

[dkolo]

Well that stinks.  I'd hoped it was longer so someday Arnold Palmer could pull a Weekend At Bernie's at the Masters.  People would love it.

His death will take place in the shadow of new life. He's not really dead if we find a way to remember him.

I argue, then, that the Spock / Susan Ross rule allows for indefinite playing in The Masters because that remembrance confers immortality.

[Shindig]

If you know you can't compete, in any pro tournament, you shouldn't take the spot of one who can. It matters little how old, or young the player is.

Yes, but no one is taking a spot from anyone at The Masters. If Sandy Lyle doesn't play, no one else gets into the field. There are no alternates. [quote name="dkolo" url="/t/81261/when-should-past-masters-champions-stop-playing/18#post_1125623"]His death will take place in the shadow of new life. [/quote] We will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings

[dkolo]

Yes, but no one is taking a spot from anyone at The Masters. If Sandy Lyle doesn't play, no one else gets into the field. There are no alternates. We will not debate his profound wisdom at these proceedings

No worries, just shoehorning cheesy Seinfeld references. Wouldn't dream of anything profound.

[gatsby47]

I voted number one.  I don't care if Gay Brewer played way past any effectiveness. He was a past winner and the great thing about the Masters is they don't need to follow any organizational rules but their own.  They can run the tourney w/o sponsors, they can run w/o women, and other races, and during those years, the crowds were big and the tv coverage created its usual robust ratings.  They'll get the word (the past champs ) some day to be more of an ambassador and less of a tournament golfer, it just wont be as cruel as what they did to Billy Casper. Lessons are learned even by the members of Augusta.

[jsgolfer]

I voted number one, how many of the TST'ers would voluntarily take themselves out a the Master's if the invitation was always there.

[iacas]

I voted number one, how many of the TST'ers would voluntarily take themselves out a the Master's if the invitation was always there.

I would. If I've won a major (The Masters, obviously), I'd love to think I'd quit before I was embarrassing myself, annoying other competitors, etc.

[WUTiger]

Being the Masters has a smaller field, I voted for No. 1.

Annoying to play with someone who shot 82? What if that guy is 30 years old and having a bad day?

Here's some scores from 2014 field:

• Brandt Snedeker, age 34, shot 80 / Round 3
• Boo Weekly, age 41, shot 83 / Round 2
• Brandon Grace, age 26, shot 84 / Round 1... (Grace rebounded with 69 in Round 2, but got cut.)

I think most older champs know when to bow out.

[Aguirre]

Maybe we're just a bunch of golf loving saps, but I'm pleased to see how many chose the first option.  I say play as long as you want, unless you are actually holding up the field in a strongly detrimental way.  The Masters has a limited field.  Pace of play is generally not a problem compared to the other majors.

[CraiginKSA]

Here is the list of past champions expected to play in 2015: Bubba Watson , Adam Scott , Charl Schwartzel , Phil Mickelson , Angel Cabrera , Trevor Immelman , Zach Johnson , Tiger Woods , Mike Weir , Vijay Singh , Jose Maria Olazabal , Mark O'Meara , Ben Crenshaw (last masters for Ben), Bernhard Langer , Fred Couples , Ian Woosnam , Sandy Lyle , Larry Mize , Tom Watson .

Which one of these guys are we having a problem with?  If they get too old and start hacking it around, just pair those old-timers together and send them out early (or late).  They're not hurting anyone by being there.  It's a small field and the contenders have all played with much worse in Pro-ams, so they're used to playing partners shooting high numbers. I'd rather see Jack, Arnie, Ben etc. grandpa it down the fairway than watch the US Mid Ametuer and Public Linx Champions who also have no chance of winning.

[joekelly]

If former winner chooses not to play, can he still go to the free dinner on Wednesday night?  That would clinch it for me.

[Rick Martin]

Here is the list of past champions expected to play in 2015:  Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O'Meara, Ben Crenshaw (last masters for Ben), Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Tom Watson.

Which one of these guys are we having a problem with?

Don't have  problem because there's a relatively new rule in affect. But when I attended The Masters in the 90s, early 2000s, I recall a portion of the field who had difficulties breaking 80s.  Remember Doug Ford having a tough time just walking up 18th fairway.  If the Masters is a major, they need a field with the best in the world.  Players on your list aren't the best anymore - some can't even win on the Senior Tour anymore.

[CraiginKSA]

I know that they used to give a show-up fee.  It was $5,000 awhile ago.  Not sure how much it is now.  Who wouldn't want to go to Augusta, get paid, have a round of golf on one of the world's best courses and have everyone tell you how it was great when you won it all those years ago?  Maybe if they did away with that, some of the past champs would skip it.

I still think it doesn't detract from the tournament.  All the old-timer hacking is forgotten come sunday afternoon.

[mailman]

What about that 90 fulla playing last year? The thing is I rather enjoy seeing these guys play :) This IS the Masters. It not just a major, it is THE major so I enjoy the fact it includes players from previous generations in there. Mailman

[David in FL]

Another vote for number one.