Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth lead the race for the year’s first Major, The Masters, at Augusta National in Georgia.
The course
One of golf’s most iconic venues plays host to The Masters, the only Major to be played at the same course every year. From Tea Olive to Holly, each hole is steeped in history and none more so than three holes that make up Amen Corner.
Starting on the 11th where wind is often a factor, the tee shot plays downhill and left to right. A pond guards the green to the left, and a bunker is strategically placed right center. This hole may best be remembered for Larry Mize’s miraculous chip-in to defeat Greg Norman in a playoff in the 1987 Masters.
12 is one of the world’s most famous golf holes, this is Augusta National’s shortest par three. Club selection is often difficult, as varying winds can require anything from a six-iron to a nine-iron for Masters competitors. The daunting presence of Rae’s Creek and three strategically placed bunkers make it imperative that players land their shots on the putting surface. Golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green.
The 12th hole has been a heartbreaker (ask Jordan Spieth) from the start. Its fickle winds, narrow green and looming water have thwarted many runs for the Masters title. Amen Corner finishes on 13, a par 5 which runs only 510 yards and has seen many eagles and birdies in the past. An accurate tee shot to the center of the fairway on this sweeping dogleg left allows a player to go for the green in two. A tributary to Rae’s Creek winds in front of the raised green, and four bunkers threaten behind.
The field
The 81st Masters includes 94 participants from 22 countries, and most all of the world’s best golfers and even leading amateurs are in the field. The notable exclusion is Tiger Woods, who is yet to recover from back issues that forced him to withdraw from the Dubai Desert Classic.
South Africans in the field
Five South Africans join the field this week. Veteran Ernie Els is playing on the last invite on the back of his Open Championship win in 2012, while Trevor Immelman returns to the scene where he triumphed in 2008. Charl Schwartzel, who won in 2011, joins SA’s top-ranked golfer Branden Grace and one-time Major winner, Louis Oosthuizen, in the select field vying for the green jacket on Sunday.
Defending champ
Englishman Danny Willett returns to Augusta as the holder of the green jacket after he took advantage of Jordan Spieth’s misfortune last year. Willett will look to become the first player to defend his title since Tiger Woods did it in 2002, but will do so without much of the form he entered the event with last year. His world ranking has slipped to 17th and he has not registered a top 25 on the PGA Tour this season.
Past winners
It will be great to see the likes of Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal tee it up this week, while another former champion in the form of Angel Cabrera always seems to keep his best for Augusta. Past winners seem to do well at Augusta. If you look at the history books, Tiger’s won it numerous times, while Phil Mickelson, who won his first Major here in 2004, has gone on to claim two further green jackets. And then of course, there’s always Spieth, who came within one par 3 of going wire-to-wire in his title defence.
Three to watch
It’s hard to look past Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth this week, but if you do, then names such as Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas should be on your list. So too Mickelson and Australia’s Adam Scott, who performs well in Georgia. South Africa’s best bet would appear to be Louis Oosthuizen. He has the game to do well, and if his putter warms up, he could avenge his 2014 playoff loss.
Wildcard
Ireland’s Shane Lowry isn’t someone who automatically comes to mind when thinking of potential Masters’ winners, but he might just surprise a few on his third visit to Augusta. His record isn’t particularly good – MC and T39 – but he has shown more than a few glimpses of his quality in other Majors; he finished runner-up to Dustin Johnson at last year’s US Open. Lowry hits it high and long enough and could just have Irish green covered by a jacket with a similar shade.
Photo: File
