{"id":1908,"date":"2015-04-07T22:42:47","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T22:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/teemoore\/?p=1908"},"modified":"2015-04-08T15:52:45","modified_gmt":"2015-04-08T15:52:45","slug":"tuesday-at-the-masters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theaposition.com\/teemoore\/golf\/personalities\/1908\/tuesday-at-the-masters","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday at the Masters"},"content":{"rendered":"\"images\"<\/a>\n

As expected, the Tigers Woods interview was SRO and provided some compelling theatre about the state of his game and his quest to win his fifth green jacket and 15th major overall. After sitting through the interview, listening to him, and watching his body language, my immediate impression is that he\u2019s back to old hyper-competitive and relentlessly driven self. As importantly, he appears to be a real factor to win this week which certainly wasn\u2019t the case when he withdrew from Torrey Pines almost two months ago.<\/p>\n

\"Tiger<\/a>

Tiger Woods<\/p><\/div>\n

Key quotes from Tiger Woods press conference:<\/p>\n

In answer to the question how he how he got his game back: \u201cI worked my ass off (smiling). That’s the easiest way to kind of describe it. I worked hard. But it was sunup to sundown, and whenever I had free time; if the kids were asleep, I’d still be doing it, and then when they were in school, I’d still be doing it. So it was a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n

About the most important thing he had to do to get his game to championship level: \u201cI was stuck right between two release patterns\u2026I needed to make sure I got into a release pattern..and then hammer it out to make sure it was engrained.\u201d Later, Woods said his much debated changes in the short game went through similar transitions with teachers Butch Harmon and Hank Haney. \u201cYes, they all changed, all had different release patterns…putting changed, full swing changed, they all had different release patterns.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about appearing looser and more at ease this week: \u201cI\u2019m just enjoying competing again. Whether I have blinders on or not, I don\u2019t feel any different. I feel like I\u2019m preparing to try and win the Masters.\u201d<\/p>\n

About winning: \u201cI want to win. The whole idea is to prepare and do that and I feel like my game is finally ready to go and do that again. My greatest motivation? Winning. I like it. (laughter.)<\/p>\n

The last quote, for me, was the most telling and revealing because a laser-focused and single-minded Tiger Woods, with swing issues apparently behind him, is a very dangerous player at Augusta National. Besides, nickname-loving Tiger calling his old buddy, Mark O\u2019Meara, \u201cMOM,\u201d means he\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

\"Bubba<\/a>

Bubba Watson<\/p><\/div>\n

Key quotes from the Bubba Watson press conference:<\/p>\n

In reaction to the question about a recent ESPN survey taken from 103 PGA Tour players where Watson\u2019s name up the most often when asked which player they wouldn\u2019t help in a parking lot fight (Ouch): \u201cHere is the way I take it. I take it as I need to improve as a man\u2026.I need to get better. And I think over my career, since my rookie season to now, I’ve gotten better. But obviously there’s more room for me to improve as a man. And so hopefully next year or the year after, it improves. It’s a challenge. It’s great. I’m glad that it came out and it’s going to help me improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gotta hand it to Bubba and his support team for being ready to address this potentially volatile and embarrassing question. He fielded it cleanly, made no excuses, no whining, and no finger-pointing other than himself. No fuel was thrown onto to his little media-made and smoldering campfire.<\/p>\n

If I had one player to pick to win this year\u2019s Masters it would be Bubba Watson. He\u2019s been playing well, he\u2019s relaxed and comfortable in these surroundings, and his power cut tee-ball is ideally suited for Augusta National. And having won two green jackets has given him a certain peace of mind when in contention. Said Watson: \u201cI feel like I have a shot around here. I\u2019m going to try to compete at a high level and hopefully on Sunday, we have that chance on the back nine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watson held his emotions in check, somewhat, when he talked about his plan menu for the Champions Dinner. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be the exact same that I ate in 2012. It\u2019s the same meal because it\u2019s from my mom (slightly choking up), home cooked meal and that\u2019s why I do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be messing with Bubba\u2019s mom in a parking lot.<\/p>\n

\"Rory<\/a>

Rory Mcllroy<\/p><\/div>\n

Key quotes from the Rory Mcllroy press conference:<\/p>\n

When asked about his poor record on the par-five holes at Augusta where his length should be big advantage: \u201cI just feel, you know, sometimes on par 5s with my length, I can be a little over\u2011aggressive. I’m standing there, especially thinking back even to the last day last year, I had a 9\u2011iron in my hand on 13, and I think I had a 9\u2011iron in my hand on 15, and I walked away with two 6s. You turn those into two 4s and all of a sudden I finish third in the tournament\u2026If you look at the previous winners here, they’ve all played the par 5s well. Bubba last year played them at 8\u2011under par; I played them at even par and he beat me by eight shots. If I can just play the par 5s a little better, hopefully that will help me do better and obviously have a chance to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about he feels about his Masters preparation: \u201cI said this last week in Florida, “If Augusta was to start tomorrow, I’d be okay. I’m ready.” So I think that’s a good indication of where I am with my game. I’ve been ready for this thing to start for a week already.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked as a competitor, who is the Masters favorite: \u201cI’d say Bubba is. I mean, he’s won here two of the last three years. Perfect game for this course. Been playing really well. Seems confident every time he tees it up. He’s been right up there his last few events. So if you’re looking at someone that will do well this week, I think Bubba is the main guy\u00a0\u2011\u2011 not trying to put any pressure on him or anything (laughter).\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of PGA Tour<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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