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Post by janie on Apr 6, 2009 19:34:57 GMT -5
I hope these teenagers make the cut; it would be fun to have someone new to watch out there.
The Masters: Augusta National, April 9-13 Teen sensation not intimidated by Augusta National
By THOMAS STINSON The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday, April 06, 2009
Augusta — Rory McIlroy was waiting for a twitch, a stomach rumble. Any indication of anxiety. It never came.
“I thought I would be (nervous),” McIlroy said. “I thought I would be nervous hitting my first shot here. But, you know, maybe if I was a little younger, or maybe if I played here as amateur, it would have been a little different.”
A little younger? McIlroy is 19. But that is how the Northern Ireland wunderkind marked his first trip to Masters on Monday. Asked the last time he might have felt overwhelmed at a golf course, he replied, “Maybe when I won in Dubai.”
That would be 10 weeks ago, when he won the Dubai Desert Classic, his first victory since turning pro in 2007.
“I’m just an average guy who can play pretty good golf,” he said.
In his youth, McIlroy has company. He is the oldest of three 19-year-olds in the championship, with New Zealander Danny Lee, the current U.S. Amateur champion, and Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa. The Masters has invited teen-agers before, but never three in the same year.
McIlroy’s reputation preceded him. Easy to spot with his untamed hair sprouting from beneath his cap, he was mobbed on way to practice tee and had a gallery in tow while playing the back nine with former champion Mike Weir.
“It’s different than any other golf course, because you have to play so many shots,” he said afterward. “You have to bump it up hills, or you might have to land it on top and spin it or get it to stop. There’s so many variations, and I think you have to have a good imagination for it as well.”
Because McIlroy has displayed much of that already, including remarkable distance for a 165-pounder, he bears watching in his first trip at Augusta.
“I promise you, he can play,” said three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo. “Hits the ball very high. Lot of spin. I noticed when he was in the (World Golf Championships) match play, he was getting a lot of spin, more than the other guys. So that might come in very useful at Augusta.”
Blowing in the wind
A steady breeze out of the west made for difficult practice conditions Monday, and things are about to get worse. Gusts today are forecast to reach 30 mph with a high of just 53 degrees. The tournament should open under clear skies Thursday, but the National Weather Service is calling for rain on Friday.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 6, 2009 21:25:07 GMT -5
Ireland LOVES Rory. They say he's as good as Tigre was at his age. Except Tigre was already more accomplished when he was younger than Rory is now. But that doesn't stop Ireland!
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Post by janie on Apr 7, 2009 6:42:18 GMT -5
What, the Irish now love the Northern Irish?
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Post by DBBN on Apr 7, 2009 11:30:29 GMT -5
Most people really do not care, and many ROI folks in their twenties (my sample) are of the opinion that if NI wants to be part of the UK, that's their decision. If you're from the island, you're on the side of good, especially if you're involved in international sporting, as they have like no athletic superstars outside of the sports they made up (Gaelic football and hurling).
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Post by leelee on Apr 7, 2009 15:19:48 GMT -5
Go Eldrick.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 7, 2009 16:16:09 GMT -5
Incorrect.
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Post by Calico on Apr 7, 2009 19:05:33 GMT -5
Go Phillip (Mickelson).
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Post by leelee on Apr 7, 2009 19:23:17 GMT -5
I'd prefer that Sergio or my Adam Scott won, but, let's be realistic.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 7, 2009 19:28:31 GMT -5
Scott is slumping but Sergio can do it! Vamos!
I want a Padraig trifecta.
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Post by leelee on Apr 7, 2009 19:43:31 GMT -5
You sound like people that thought E.Demented could win a slam.
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Post by Calico on Apr 8, 2009 12:12:35 GMT -5
You sound like people that thought E.Demented could win a slam. Are you talking about Hurley? Dementieva can win a grand slam singles title. Especialy now that women's tennis os so mediocre. As for the Master's I would enjoy seeing Garcia finally break through and win a grand slam. But he seems to struggle in the clutch at the majors.
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Post by janie on Apr 8, 2009 15:15:06 GMT -5
My preference would be for Padraig, but anyone besides Tiger would be pretty satisfying.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 8, 2009 16:18:15 GMT -5
I'd rather have Tigre over Manboobs McGee.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 8, 2009 19:52:18 GMT -5
Don't like Tiger? A few reasons to explain why
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist – 24 mins ago
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The bookies make him an odds-on favorite like no other, mostly because Tiger Woods is unlike any other. He tees off Thursday on mended knee in pursuit of a fifth Masters title, secure once again with his place in the game and looking as dominant as ever.
His will to win is extraordinary. His fellow players defer to his greatness.
And there's nothing in golf better than seeing Woods have a putt on Sunday to win.
But there are those who enjoy watching Zach Johnson put on a green jacket, or maybe even harbor secret thoughts of Greg Norman finally burying his demons. Still others want nothing more than to see Phil Mickelson smiling on the 18th green once again.
Not many, maybe, because it can be lonely pulling against arguably the greatest player ever. Family and friends might not understand.
But there are reasons:
HE'S NOT FAN FRIENDLY — Sure, everyone loves Tiger, but why? He doesn't give autographs, stares straight ahead when walking through crowds, and offers little more than an occasional tip of the hat to acknowledge the throngs following him around the course. Not to mention he curses so loudly after hitting a bad shot that parents have to cover their children's ears. Woods may need all of that to maintain his supreme focus, but Arnold Palmer did all right with his career and was still more than willing to shake hands and say a few words to any fan who sought him out.
HIS CADDIE IS A PAIN — Stevie Williams makes more than a million dollars a year to carry Woods' bag and hand him his clubs. He also comes in handy driving him to the course, and occasionally will help Woods read a putt. But somewhere along the line his job description broadened to becoming Woods' enforcer on and off the course. His antics include snatching cameras from offending fans and calling Phil Mickelson names, both of which probably earned him a bonus check from his boss.
HE'S TOO PERFECT — Swedish model wife, check. Two cute kids, check. Florida mansion and private jet, check. At a time most of America is struggling, couldn't Woods throw us a bone and show us he shares our pain by blowing a four-shot lead on the back nine Sunday to lose the Masters?
HE SCARES PEOPLE — Well, not regular people, but his fellow players. Woods is revered, no, make that feared, by the people he plays against, which is the main reason why not even Mickelson has stepped up his game enough to give us him a true rival.
HE'S WON ENOUGH — Woods first won the Masters at the age of 21, and has done it three times since. If he wins this week he'll have five green jackets and be within one win of tying Jack Nicklaus for the most Masters titles ever. Nicklaus would love to keep the record, but remember: It was the Golden Bear himself who predicted after seeing Woods in a practice round in 1996 that the young phenom would win more Masters than him and Palmer combined (10).
HE WON"T PLAY THE PAR-3 — The best player in the world was notable again by his absence Wednesday at the annual Par-3 contest, where players show off their games and families while fans get a chance to interact with them. Asked earlier if he would compete and have daughter, Sam, on the bag, Woods wasted no time turning it down. "I am not, and no," he said.
HIS CLOTHES CLASH — Actually, Woods is one of the snazzier dressers on tour, thanks to a contract with Nike that guarantees him the latest in golf fashion. He's also lucky to be dominant in an era where checkered pants and pink tops are a thing of the past — unless you're Ian Poulter. But another win on Sunday means watching Woods parade around in a red shirt and green jacket that would get him tossed from most decent nightclubs.
HE'S TOO SCRIPTED — Everything about Woods seems like it was pulled from some Hollywood movie of old, like the drama of last year's U.S. Open, when he hobbled his way down the 18th hole on Sunday and then made a putt to force a playoff he eventually won. His comeback this year from knee surgery was true to form when he made an 18-footer in near darkness to cap a five-stroke comeback and win his last tournament. Nobody can possibly do those kind of things unless they're drawn up in advance. Unless, of course, the name is Tiger Woods.
YOUTH NEEDS TO BE SERVED — Woods is now 33, a fact that drew a rueful smile from him at his Tuesday press conference. His newest would-be rivals are from another generation, and they grew up idolizing Woods the same way he did Nicklaus. Teenagers Rory McIlroy, Danny Lee and Ryo Ishikawa are in this Masters, and there will come a time that golf needs players like them as much as it needs Woods. Nothing wrong with that time beginning this week on Augusta National.
So, there, Tiger haters. That should be enough to get you through Sunday.
And for the 99 percent of the world that will be rooting for Woods, only one reason is necessary.
Because he is Tiger Woods.
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 8, 2009 23:08:37 GMT -5
Vamos Garcia!
(what will it be this time - out of contention after round 1, or epic meltdown on Sunday?)
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Post by leelee on Apr 8, 2009 23:11:22 GMT -5
With the way Sergio has played lately, he shoots like 78 in Round 1.
He only contends in slams when he's on his good streaks... where he strikes the ball ridiculously well in meaningless tournaments, wins them, then looks unbeatable in the slam and eventually misses 2134234 putts to suck lose.
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Post by janie on Apr 9, 2009 12:20:27 GMT -5
Looking at the leaderboard so far, I get the feeling Fuzzy Zoeller won't be the winner this year.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 10, 2009 15:25:32 GMT -5
Mediocre rounds from Tigre and Manboobs...good. But they'll both make the cut, and probably ruin my life by each going 62-63 over the weekend.
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Post by leelee on Apr 10, 2009 15:39:54 GMT -5
I now want Kenny Perry to win.
Tiger is still too close, though. He shoots a 60-something tomorrow and everyone else will quake like they're women's tennis players.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 10, 2009 16:27:01 GMT -5
Probably. But it's no given if he's close anymore, though, thank God. Remember Immelman just last year, or Cabrera at the '07 Open.
I don't like Kenny Perry. Get your Ryder Cup points at majors, you coward.
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Post by janie on Apr 10, 2009 16:29:49 GMT -5
Speaking of Cabrera, that's who I'm now rooting for. Seize the day, :angel:!
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Post by DBBN on Apr 10, 2009 16:36:04 GMT -5
I don't like fatty smoker Cabrera either.
I like hotties, but I also am not a huge fan of Villegas either. Dude has a body and a half, but he looks weird.
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Post by janie on Apr 10, 2009 17:35:27 GMT -5
Villegas ... looks weird. ewww! Now I'm never going to be able to get that image out of my head.
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Post by leelee on Apr 10, 2009 19:07:06 GMT -5
Immelman had like an 8 shot lead and tried his best to give it away, but Tiger didn't do much.
Camilo is hot, but doesn't do much for me. Girly lookin' men like F-Lo, bleh.
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Post by leelee on Apr 10, 2009 19:21:33 GMT -5
Oh, and Sergio got in contention to be a pest. Another major where the announcers tell me how great he is while he chokes like a dog.
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Post by DBBN on Apr 10, 2009 21:29:30 GMT -5
F-Lo looks less girly because of his...jawline I guess? And broader shoulders? Villegas has the hourglass figure. He would have been singing Carmen Miranda songs at USO shows in the 40s.
Perry/C. Campbell is the most boring leading group in history.
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Post by The Chloe on Apr 11, 2009 9:44:44 GMT -5
F-Lo's jaw just makes him appear to be a manly looking woman.
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Post by janie on Apr 11, 2009 11:05:31 GMT -5
"In his youth, McIlroy has company. He is the oldest of three 19-year-olds in the championship, with New Zealander Danny Lee, the current U.S. Amateur champion, and Japanese sensation Ryo Ishikawa.
teen-golfer updates:
McIlroy Currently at Even par; tied for 33rd with respectable rounds of 72 and 73; -1 so far today; seems to be a steady eddie
Ishikawa Missed cut; 6 over par with rounds of 73 and 77 Lee (playing as amateur) Missed cut; 11 over par with rounds of 74 and 81; only four players scored worse and they're all geezers or super-geezers
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Post by leelee on Apr 11, 2009 12:06:23 GMT -5
McIlroy was nearly defaulted for kicking sand in a bunker. Kids.
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Post by janie on Apr 11, 2009 12:47:32 GMT -5
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