First-Timer Sim Ready to Wave Australian Flag [Golf Ping: The Masters]

The Masters dot com ^ | March 8, 2010 | Bob Gillespie

[Zuben Elgenubi]

As a runup to the Masters next month, I'll try to highlight some new faces in the crowd before the first major of the year.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

There are only 34 Rules Of Golf.

Email me if you want on the Golf Ping List:

Visit PGA.com, an excellent site.

[Lazamataz]

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Michael Sim's stats, supplied by PGATour.com

[Zuben Elgenubi]

heh heh, that was quick!

[Moonman62]

I believe Fuzzy Zoeller won as a first-timer. Who else?

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Good question. According to The Masters Website, under "Number of Attempts before first Victory" (halfway down the page), there have been three first-time winners: Horton Smith (1934), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Fuzzy Zoeller. Of course, Horton Smith was the inaugural winner.

 Number of Attempts

Before First Victory

1, Horton Smith, 1934

1, Gene Sarazen, 1935

1, Fuzzy Zoeller, 1979

[numberonepal]

"Watching on TV, I feel like I’ve played the course in a way."

No sir young Sim. TV does not do the course justice when it comes to the elevation changes and rolling hills. The lies at Augusta can be scary dead in the middle of the fairway. The bathtub like rolls on the greens are so fast it's hard to believe. That said I hope the fella does well, but he's got to get the idea out of his head that he knows the course. He must respect it. It will bite him for an 85 if he's not careful.

[Moonman62]

Of course, Horton Smith was the inaugural winner.

And Sarazen won the second Masters. I'd say it's one of the toughest accomplishments in golf to win as a rookie (the course requires an incredible amount of local knowledge, not to mention the pressure of a Major). Thanks for the info.

[jessduntno]

This was interesting;

Lowest Career Scoring Average, 100 or More Rounds

71.98 - Jack Nicklaus
72.20 - Tom Watson
72.89 - Raymond Floyd
72.90 - Gene Littler

[Rummyfan]

Four weeks to The Master’s and we’re staring a thread already? I’ll go way out on a limb here and pick Lefty to win - again!

[Rummyfan]

And as my dark horse - Roy McAvoy!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Four weeks to The Master’s and we’re staring a thread already?

Well, this weeks fare is the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular at the Trump Intrntl GC in Puerto Rico. Total purse: $3,500,000

So, here in Ohio we're getting 60-65 degree weather, the birds are starting to make their nests and spring is definately in the air.

Which means "Masters" to me.

Phil's a good choice and so is Rory.

Villegas is playing well but I'm tending towards Robert Allenby or Paul Casey. I'm sure I'll change my opinion in the next month so don't hold my feet to the fire just yet, if you please.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Arnold crossing the Hogan Bridge!

Try this GigaPan (scroll down the page a bit) from Augusta National.

Nice to read you again, Baynative. Haven't seen you in a while.

[wagglebee]

Of course Tiger will play at the Masters. The Masters is a private tournament, played at a private club and a lot of the tickets have been held by individuals or their families for decades. Augusta National won’t hestitate to eject unruly fans and ban them from ever coming back. This gives Tiger a “perfect” crowd for his return.

[marshmallow]

It doesn't snow very often in Augusta but we got hit pretty good in mid-February for the first time in about 7 or 8 years. Here's a few pics of the Augusta National after we got dumped on. The first one shows the Hogan Bridge under about 4 inches of snow.