Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Increasingly, this famed nursery rhyme is sizing up my feelings about the state of the PGA Tour vs LIV. The once stable foundation of world professional golf has been torn asunder and it’s doubtful it can be mended. The LIV Tour abandoning its quest for World Ranking points for its tournaments suggests it’s content to go alone if needed. It’s a sad state of affairs.
That’s why Peter Malnati’s win at Valspar was so uplifting and popular. His victory reinforced why LIV’s overcompensated purses, no-cut, and team format don’t resonate with me and most golfers. Despite lacking some top players, the Valspar tournament was compelling, and the competition was tense. To Malnati, the title meant more than money. It was a reward for finally breaking through after years of struggle. “You wonder if you are ever going to do it again,” Malnati said afterward near the 18th green, tearing up. “Because it’s hard…and it’s gotten harder too.”
Question: Has anyone ever broken down into tears after winning a LIV event?
With the title, Malnati earns a berth in the Masters, his first. For him and for so many golf fans, the Masters can’t come soon enough.
My first Masters as a press member was in 1984 when Ben Crenshaw won the coveted green jacket. As editor of the fledgling Michigan Golfer then, I felt fortunate to be among the press contingent writing about the best golf tournament in the world. Today, I still feel the same way —maybe more so.
With tournament week beginning April 8, here’s what I’m looking forward to:
A world-class field. With the fractured landscape of professional golf, it’ll be refreshing to see most of the game’s best players at Augusta National. There’ll be 13 players from the LIV Tour, including former Masters champions Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, and Charl Schwartzel. Also appearing are those qualifying as recent major champions, like Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka. Tyrrell Hatton and Adrian Meronk are in due to their top 50 in World Rankings at the end of ’23. Finally, Joaquin Niemann was given a special invite by the Masters after winning the ’23 Australian Open.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm. The defending champion will preside over a packed interview room and answer inevitable questions concerning his move to LIV late last year. Rahm is a good interview subject, usually forthcoming and candid, with a nice helping of humor.
The immaculate conditions of Augusta National. With an army of agronomists and maintenance staff, the course is pristine, with nary a thing out of place. The bunkers with their dazzling white “sand” (actually quartz granules) are majestic. Everything is neat, tidy, and defined. Even the insects seem to fly in formation.
The par-5 second hole
The second hole. Last year, the iconic par-five 13th was lengthened by 35 yards to restore its once risk-reward character. This year, yardage was added similarly to toughen the par-five-second hole. During last year’s Masters, the second was ranked as the easiest hole and cumulatively has been ranked the second-easiest hole to the par-5 13th. Only 10 yards have been added to the tee box, but that, combined with a new angle, may result in fewer birdies. Some observers say the added length and new angle may bring the right fairway bunker more into play. No other course changes were made this year.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods. After only a few appearances this season, Woods seems to be walking better without as much of a limp. Yet, he has played only a few rounds this season. Still, I feel another Masters win is within Woods’ grasp, despite his injuries and lack of play. However, the hilly topography of Augusta National over four days poses a major hurdle. And time is running out. Woods does have a good chance of notching another Masters record this year. If he makes the cut, it’ll be his 24th consecutive cut made, surpassing Fred Couples and Gary Player.
The weather. After a mild Michigan winter where I’ve played several times already, Augusta won’t be such a drastic change of scenery. Being in Augusta in early April is usually delightful. Here’s hoping for dry weather. Last year on tournament days, play was suspended three times. That’s a tough break for patrons. The last time the Masters had no rain during the tournament was in 2013.
No cell phones. Like most, I’m tethered to my cell phone. But I find the Masters to be a haven from the ubiquity of cell phones. I don’t see the Masters abandoning its no cell phone policy. Years ago, when Billy Payne was Masters chairman, he remarked how disappointing it was to see sports and golf fans constantly using their cell phones to capture images at sporting events. Being there in the moment wasn’t good enough. Instead, the experience was being filtered through a tiny lens. As a credentialed press member, I may use my cell phone in the Press Building but its use is prohibited on the course. I’m perfectly fine with that.
Masters Chairman’s Interview. On Wednesday of Masters week, Fred Ridley will follow tradition and give his “State of the Masters” address and then be open to a Q & A. He’ll make announcements about the tournament, the course, and the game itself. Undoubtedly, he’ll address the LIV-PGA Tour morass and how the recent news of LIV dropping its demands about being included in the World Ranking points may impact future Masters player qualifications.
The patrons. No other sporting event has such courteous and well-behaved enthusiasts. Maybe it’s because they feel so privileged to be there. You don’t hear lame and overused shout-outs from the gallery so common at Tour events. And if you strike up a conversation, an instant rapport is often established. And you never know whom you might meet. One time, I sat in one of my favorite spots at an observation stand at the 13th hole, and lo and behold, after chatting with the person next to me, I realized we were classmates in grade school! Another time, I happened to sit directly behind the Executive Director of the Florida State Golf Association with whom I had only previously chatted on the phone.
We were all kindred spirits relishing the best golf tournament in the world.
Photos courtesy of the Masters
