A transformed Watson carries Turnberry magic to opening round at Augusta

golf.com ^ | 4/9/10 | Joe Posnanski

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Amerika is completely lost.

[ICAB9USA]

They are going to set the course up a lot harder today.

________

Yes...... and I believe that the cold front has gone through, the wind should be up a little, and the greens should get harder.

And I think you are saying too, the pin placements will be a little more difficult too.

It should be great. I'm psyched.

[ICAB9USA]

re: Just plant a few slutty big breasted babes in tight shorts around the greens and Woods will come apart like a 2 dollar suitcase.

__

Did you happen to see the blond-haired rules girl yesterday late in the round. Tiger was lookin'.

;-)

[screaminsunshine]

Here we are at Augusta. Watson and Mick are on the 18th with Couples and Woods out on the fairway waiting. It is all tied up 4 ways.....WOW!

[ICAB9USA]

The gallery is mostly old-time “locals”

[screaminsunshine]

Me too! I am playing Black Diamond on Monday. GOLF SEASON IS HERE!

[ICAB9USA]

lol ...... that's a heck of a dream ..... but, I like it.

;-)

[Moonman62]

Kind of makes you wonder how good the golfers today really are.

If it weren't for modern equipment and modern medicine (Watson had a hip replacement a year and a half ago), he wouldn't have a chance. Another advantage is the Champion's Tour which motivates the older players to keep their games in shape. I think it's good for the game though, keeping veterans competitive longer. And one thing to note about Watson is he stuck with a traditional putter in spite of his troubles.

[Dixie Yooper]

Watson and Mick are on the 18th with Couples and Woods out on the fairway waiting. It is all tied up 4 ways.....WOW!

Nice dream... Jethro Michelson won't be there on Sunday and Watson is a long shot. I can see Woods and Couples, but the other two will be Ricky Barns and Anthony Kim. I'm pulling for Ricky Barns to take it all. Wilson Staff will chalk up yet another Major.

[screaminsunshine]

That is who I was thinking of. Barnes. Who is that kid? He looks good.

[Recon Dad]

The best part about golf is that it's a game that allows 50 and 60 something that stay in shape to continue to shine. I like Freddy and Tom a lot, but I'm guessing that Tom will fade as he has to hit longer irons and thus longer putts hole after hole, it catches up through 4 rounds. Fred still has the length, but I think the hot putter will leave him today or tomorrow. Fred's streaky and 4 rounds at Augusta is more than a streak.
I would be thrilled to see either in the last group on Sunday, but I'm not betting on it.

[Recon Dad]

If he could keep the first ball in the fairway and this isn't a tight course he could take advantage of the irons.

[newfreep]

"It is like he's golf's Stan Musial, another star of the heartland. "

Hey, "Stan the Man" was my baseball hero as a kid and the reason I batted (and now golf) left-handed even though I do everything else right handed.

Musial was a great player, always underrated and always carried himself with class. Those qualities drew me to him...even as a kid. Arnie was similar in his golfing skills and classy demeanor.

[Frantzie]

Yeah right. Michelson only shot a 30 on the front nine on Sunday last year but he will not be there. Get a clue. Phil’s wife was sick and he was not s*rewing pancake waitress in church parking lots. He shot lower scores than Toger at The Masters and at The US Open. Not to mention Doral, Shanghai which he won and a few others.

Ricky Barnes is very very good.

Nick Watney is right there too. Phil embarassed Tiger at Shanghai last year and Watney also cruise right past him when the pump daddy srpayed two shots in the water on the last two holes.

[jammer]

“Wouldn’t it be perfect if the gallery simply stayed silent. No applause. No cheers. No nothing....just like Tiger for all those weeks he refused to talk.”

I may have a misimpression, but the applause for him seemed to me to be overhyped. There was applause, like on the 18th, but as the camera panned, you could see that there were more people NOT applauding than applauding. I'm yet to be convinced that Tiger has the fans--oops, patrons (what a crock)--on his side, even though he's necessary for golf's popularity (can you imagine a game whose stars are Phil, Furik, VJ, or the others who have had a personality-ectomy?)

[ICAB9USA]

Great post..... danke!

[ICAB9USA]

But there are Tiger, Westwood, and others that all have a chance.

_________________

Westwood -9 and leading.

Finally this kid is playing some golf.

Watson has fallen back some ....... but let's hope he gets a little lucky!

[ICAB9USA]

Freddie and Tom are both sitting at three under ..... five off the lead. So far they have done a very good job. It's tough to see either winning at this point but I sure am proud of both of them.

They both tee off around 2:00 p.m. today, so the 3:30 television start will allow us to see them if the media people show them. I just hope Tom keeps playing well enough to stay in the top 20. And I think Freddie is still strong enough to win if the Brits and Tiger don't go run and hide.

Enjoy The Masters ......

****

[Recon Dad]

Tiger to me is the biggest surprise. Did not expect him to play so soild.