Posted on 04/06/2018 6:44:57 AM PDT by a little elbow grease
(snip) -- Tony Finau said his opening round 68 was a miracle given the pain from a nasty injury .. during the par-3 contest. But just getting here was an improbable, inspiring story.
Tony Finau turned down the one invite every golfer, from the best pros to high handicap scrubs, covets the most. He took a pass on playing Augusta National.
Ive had opportunities to play Augusta, whether it be from a caddie, a member, to go watch as a kid, he told me. Ive had opportunities to step foot on the grounds and play Augusta and watch the Masters. But I always, since I was a kid, I always told myself I am never going to set foot there unless I am playing and a participant.
So Finau took a pass, repeatedly, on of one of the toughest invites in golf and tickets that go for thousands of dollars every year. After years of playing mini tours and coming up from circumstances the opposite of tony and pristine Augusta National, it became official hed earned his first spot in a Masters field last fall.
So he decided to make the trip to Augusta. Finau earned an invite to the 2018 Masters last September, when he was one of the final 30 players in the PGA Tours FedExCup Playoffs. He went to Augusta the day before Thanksgiving for the first time in his life and played with a member, his dad, and a close friend from Utah.
(Excerpt) Read more at sbnation.com ...
One interesting story ........
(full title) Tony Finau said his opening round 68 was a miracle given the pain from a nasty injury
.. during the par-3 contest.
Yea, he got a hole in one, started running around. Turned to fun backward and took a spill. Twisted his ankle. I can’t say I blame him, just unfortunate. But he did get a hole in one in a tournament Jack Nicklaus was playing in.
“But he did get a hole in one in a tournament Jack Nicklaus was playing in”
As well as Jacks 15 year old Grandson. The kid was a Caddy for Jack and on one of the holes of the Par 3 Tournament they let the Caddies take a shot. (Language alert)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nx_gVyQ_hmc
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Yep. It was crazy watching a guy pop his ankle back into place.
If you read that entire article you'll see that this guy is one great athlete. They say he can dunk a basketball flatfooted. Yoi.
Finau is two strokes behind the leader going into Fridays round.
More tidbits
Vijay Singh at the age of 55 shot one under par for the day.
Freddie Couples, 58 years old is at EVEN par, and Bernhard Langer , 60 years old is at plus 2.
Spieth is a machine when he's on, McIlroy looks like a winner. Spieth tees off in a few minutes. Starting early today may help him ...... like he needs it.
;-)
If Augusta National’s locker rooms were politically correct, they would have a cart for him to ride in for the rest of the Tournament...
Back around 1968 I was playing racquetball and, anticipating my opponent's next "kill" shot, I headed from the back wall toward the front wall to get there in time to deal with it. As I moved forward the opponent slammed the ball and on his follow through hit me right at the corner of my right eye. He was an extremely strong player and a gash was made with the racquet and my eye popped out a little. I remember just moving it back in ...... then down the the University Hospital, a few stitches later and that was that. Pretty scary though.
That ankle yesterday was a trip too. ;-)
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Yes, I saw that too. That was great. Jack Sr. actually said that hole in one by his grandson was right up there at the top of his Masters memories.
Cool.
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LOL....
(so far) He's playing better than nearly everyone with that very sore ankle. He has taken some of the pressure off his front foot on his drives and it seems to be working (so far).
;-)
Email me if you want on the Golf Ping List:
Visit PGA.com, an excellent site.
Congrats to Tony Finau!
But Jordan Speith yesterday.... five birdies in a row on the back nine, and then a all-world save for a bogey on 18 for a first round 66. He is the man to beat now.
And Sergio.... five balls in the water. Five! He’s done and there will be no repeat champion this year.
Finally, if Speith doesn’t win I hope Phil does. And if not Phil, then Rory.
Looking forward to a great golf weekend.
There's only two people who will ever be remembered at this tournament, the guy who wins it and Sergio for setting the record for the highest score on one hole..........LOL!
"Tin Cup" Sergio without an anger fit - great play by the Amateurs, Sandy Lyle might play the week end --- THIS IS GOOD STUFF!
I expect some good stuff to come from Kuchar and Hoffman.
And Sergio.... five balls in the water.
There’s only two people who will ever be remembered at this tournament, the guy who wins it and Sergio for setting the record for the highest score on one hole..........LOL!
...
As far as I’m concerned Sergio did not win the Masters last year.
His ball moved when he was moving pine straw and the penalty was not called.
What a bunch of BS ----Tiger, Tiger, Tiger .....BARF!!!!
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not now ......(2:25 p.m.) Friday.
;-)
Speith sits at 4-under, certainly within striking distance for the weekend. Heck, anyone within five strokes going in to Sunday has a chance.
A car crashed into John Dalys bus.
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https://golfweek.com/2018/04/06/john-dalys-bus-hit-by-car-while-parked-outside-hooters-masters/
John Dalys bus was hit by a car while parked outside Hooters Friday near the site of the Masters.
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Daly parks a bus in the same spot on Washington Road in Augusta, Ga., every year during Masters week selling merchandise.
Daly said a woman was attempting to make a U-turn on Washington Road when she apparently lost control, crashing into the parking lot area.
Come down to Hooters if you want to see a lot of crap going on, Daly added, as only Daly could. You cant make this up.
All that bull about a 90-100% chance of rain this afternoon looks like bull to me.
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Heh all you golf fans, get in the swing of it with Maureen O'Sullivan.
Well, no big move by Speith today and Phil continued his self-destruction. Speith is too far out to close tomorrow.
Rory McIlroy on the other hand... wow! And Reed, eagles on both 13 and 15. Should be a heckuva final round tomorrow.
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