With so much going on around the start of the year's first Major Championship it's hard to keep up, so here are five things from Tuesday that you might have missed...
Rory’s ready. He's already played 99 holes at Augusta…
Rory McIlroy is very prepared for the 2017 Masters Tournament. The Northern Irishman, who can complete a Grand Slam of Major Championship victories with a win here at Augusta National this week, has played 99 holes already in preparation for his 13:41 tee time on Thursday.
Rory’s reason for playing so much golf here of late is a very good one – he wants to feel as comfortable on the golf course and in these surroundings as possible. The 27 year old first visited Augusta just before the WGC- Dell Technologies Match Play, when he played 27 holes. He then teed it up on Monday and Tuesday of last week, playing 54 holes in that two day span. If this week doesn’t turn out to be McIlroy’s, it certainly won’t be because of a lack of preparation.
Jordan Spieth might have conquered his 12th hole demons, and has a great sense of humour…
Despite his frustrations of last year at Amen Corner, where Jordan Spieth took a quadruple bogey seven as Willett went on to take the Green Jacket, the American is taking the best possible approach to overcoming those demons – by laughing at the issue and making birdies there.
After arriving to a great reception on the 12th tee during Tuesday practice Spieth duly stiffed his tee shot to three feet, smiled and then turned to the galleries and said: “I really could have used that one about 12 months ago.”
Good on you, Jordan. Good on you.
These guys can skim, and so can the caddies…
Every year one of the highlights of the Masters is the skimming contest on the par three 16th hole, which sees the players relax and interact with the patrons, before most of them go on to put their ball into the water to the left of the famous green.
Well, not this year apparently. After Phil Mickelson had hit his attempt to six feet, Bernd Wiesberger went close with his effort. Not to be outdone the defending champion, Danny Willett, stepped up alongside compatriot Tyrrell Hatton, with both finding the green with great shots – much to the delight of the crowd.
And is if that wasn’t good enough, Ross Fisher’s caddie, Mark Sherwood decided to take on the skimming challenge. He delivered, with his effort finishing three feet away. Who said caddies can’t play?
Synchronised skimming 😂
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 4, 2017
That's fantastic Danny & Tyrrell pic.twitter.com/UlPThhGKNr
Jack Nicklaus is still very competitive - and getting help from Rory…
Not content with his six Masters wins, Nicklaus is still determined to get his drive past that of companion and foe Gary Player’s during the ceremonial opening tee shot on Thursday morning. And he’s had some expert help in that matter from none other than that man again, the long hitting McIlroy.
After speaking to Nicklaus earlier this week in Florida and getting some valuable insight from the ‘Golden Bear’, Rory returned the favour by tweaking Nicklaus’ driver.
Let’s hope he betters Player’s efforts now or Rory won’t get near the American legend’s clubs again.
Curtis Luck is a real talent. The big names think so any way…
After turning up on the first tee to be greeted by amateur Curtis Luck, Rory confidently predicted that he would take the Australian’s money off him. By the end of the nine holes they played together McIlroy was full of nothing but praise for the U.S. Amateur and Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion, saying, “Nothing seems to faze him. His golf game is good and he hits it plenty far enough. He's very consistent too. I didn't really see any weaknesses out there.”
And McIlroy wasn’t the only big name in the field to be impressed by the 20 year old, with Jason Day observing, “He’s definitely got the short game. He’s not afraid, which is a good thing. And at such a young age, to have maturity and not be afraid is a lethal combination.”
You’ve been told. Keep an eye on Curtis Luck.
