Just Back From The Master's Practice Rounds, Taking Questions

[On Par]

...about the Masters golf tournament. I've been going to Augusta National since 1990, and have a pretty solid knowledge. If you have a question, I'll be happy to try to answer it.

[Dave Reynolds]

1. Competing or spectating?

Just curious.

[On Par]

2. Spectating....

I can only think of former Master's Champions that have been participating since the early 90's, and they have a lifetime exemption.

[Lady President]

3. I have questions

I don't play golf, but I *l.o.v.e.* to watch it, so I'll throw a few questions your way.

1. What's the vibe at Augusta? I've been to various tournaments, but I've heard the gallery there is incredibly snobby.

2. Did you ever see Martha Burke and her crew? I abstained from watching two years ago, however I had to see Phil Mickelson last year because he is my favorite.

3. Tell your favorite story of a golfer acting inappropriate, silly, etc. For example, I saw Chi-Chi Rodriguez three-putt from inside 6', pick up the ball, stared at it for a minute, cursed, and pitched it into the water hazard. The fans loved it, of course.

4. Who's your pick to win this year?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but it's getting late and my brain is done for the day. Have a wonderful week! (I could not be more jealous.) :)

[On Par]

4. Taking Them One By One....

1. What's the vibe at Augusta? I've been to various tournaments, but I've heard the gallery there is incredibly snobby.

Answer: The gallery is incredibly knowledgeable. But they're people and they have fun. The latest craze is to get the players to skip a ball across the pond, and onto the green, at the par 3 16th hole. If they don't make an attempt, the gallery is anything but snobbish.

2. Did you ever see Martha Burke and her crew? I abstained from watching two years ago, however I had to see Phil Mickelson last year because he is my favorite.

No, Marfa, as we call her, was relegated to a park area about a mile from the course. Really, there were more media than protestors, and they numbered 17 total.

3. Tell your favorite story of a golfer acting inappropriate, silly, etc. For example, I saw Chi-Chi Rodriguez three-putt from inside 6', pick up the ball, stared at it for a minute, cursed, and pitched it into the water hazard. The fans loved it, of course.

On practice days, the players interact quite a bit with the gallery. Too many stories and too long to set them up properly. The best foursome this year was Fuzzy Zoeller, Fred Couples, Fred Funk and Jay Haas. Fuzzy was zinging everyone with one liners. Just too good. Unfortunately, his golf game suffered as balls went everywhere but the fairway. On the other side of the coin, Gary Player was holding court on every hole. Telling the gallery stories of Master's gone by, and showing his wizard-like ability by hitting fabulous sand shots out of the bunkers.

4. Who's your pick to win this year?
From what I saw, I really like the way David Toms is swinging the club right now. He's sneaky long, and can putt the eyes out if he gets hot. Of course, you can't count out Singh, Mickelson, and Woods. But right now, I like Toms.

4a. BTW, Jon Daly had a hole-in-one on the 16th hole on Monday using a 9 iron.

[On Par]

5. Bump !