The Masters. 2009 Edition

[WriterDom]

I know. Golf boring boring boring but some of us like it.

 

[midwestyankee]

I know. Golf boring boring boring but some of us like it.

Indeed. Somehow I need to make time before Thursday to get my picks into the pool.

 

[rosco rathbone]

They should organise a golf tournament of all doms and call it "The Masters".

 

[Homburg]

They should organise a golf tournament of all doms and call it "The Masters".

I suck at golf. Fuckin sammy white ball never does what I tell it to.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

My Ozzian friend flew over 3 weeks ahead of schedule because his friend in ATL got tickets for tomorrow and Thursday, and they have expectations of getting tickets for at least one or two more days. I hate them.

As for the Doms' tournament, I'd probably play, though I like Homburg suck at the game. The ball does what I want it to only *just* often enough that it kept me coming back again and again for years. I haven't played in about five years, though I've been thinking lately about going down to the local par 3 and playing a walking round before it gets too hot to even *think* about it.

 

[Homburg]

The last time I went golfing was many years ago. I don't like golf, but someone else was playing and wanted me along for the sheer comedy I'm guessing. On the 3rd or 4th hole, I put the ball on the tee, whacked the shit out out it but good, only to watch it catch the wind and swerve around 180 frikken degrees to land about 35 yards to the left of the tee and 10 yards BEHIND it.

I looked at the ball, picked it up, and hucked it as far down the course a sI could. Then looked at my friends (dying laughing they were) and announced that we would no longer be keeping score for me, and that I would be rampantly cheating in the interests solely of brevity.

Do. Not. Want.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

The last time I went golfing was many years ago. I don't like golf, but someone else was playing and wanted me along for the sheer comedy I'm guessing. On the 3rd or 4th hole, I put the ball on the tee, whacked the shit out out it but good, only to watch it catch the wind and swerve around 180 frikken degrees to land about 35 yards to the left of the tee and 10 yards BEHIND it.

I looked at the ball, picked it up, and hucked it as far down the course a sI could. Then looked at my friends (dying laughing they were) and announced that we would no longer be keeping score for me, and that I would be rampantly cheating in the interests solely of brevity.

Do. Not. Want.

I've had some shots sorta like that. Especially duck hooks and slices that went further sideways than they did forward.

When I was teaching, we had tournaments 3 or 4 times a year. My principal was the king of the trick shot. He'd be standing in thick woods 40 yards from the green with no view of the flagstick, walk around a minute, look here and there, then say, "Okay... off that tree, it'll go right, then hit those leaves and slow down, bounce off the cart path, over the sand trap, and into the cup." Damned if he wouldn't at *least* get the ball on the green, usually where someone could hole out for the par save. (Okay, that description is a *little* bit hyperbolic, but not much... and he *did* bounce balls off trees - on purpose - to get them to go where he wanted them. Pissed me off, when I had trouble getting them to go where I wanted them with nothing between me and the goal but air.)

 

[ZRT]

Golf reveals more about a man's character than any other sport.

What golf reveals about me: I have little patience and a bad temper that cares not for expensive items like golf clubs.

Also, I'm a natural at digging holes in immaculate lawns. If I'd messed with it any further, it would've been demonstrated that I'm poorly housebroken and haven't gotten over my chewing habit.

 

[rosco rathbone]

"The Masters". Geddit?

 

[midwestyankee]

I thoroughly enjoy golf, though I've played well only a few times. Best score was in the mid-80s and best hole was the time that I drove the green on a 305-yard uphill par 4. Fucking three-putted, too.

I enjoy the pastoral surroundings and the exercise (no cart, thank you, except in the mountains). The mental challenge of figuring out what ought to be the right shot (for me that means the shot with the least chance of ending up in big trouble, not necessarily the one that arcs onto the green like it was hit by Eldrick W) given the lie and the position is excellent respite from the day-to-day stresses of life.

That said, I almost enjoy watching the major championships as much as I enjoy playing. There's something very compelling about watching some men fold under such pressure while others thrive on the challenge of it.

 

[WriterDom]

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.

Saturday and Sunday will be warm and sunny.

 

[Betticus]

When I saw this I thought it was going to be for a calendar filled with scantily clad, whip wielding bdsm masters!

 

[Homburg]

When I saw this I thought it was going to be for a calendar filled with scantily clad, whip wielding bdsm masters!

That turned you on too, didn't it?

You can admit it. You're among friends.

 

[Betticus]

I was thinking a pic of me elbows deep into my truck with big tools, grease and oil smeared across my tanned, sweating torso in the harsh desert sun would be in order for this calendar. Tight pair of worn blue jeans and brown leather boots, brown belt and of course someone would have to rub me down with baby oil before we shoot the photos.

 

[Homburg]

I was thinking a pic of me elbows deep into my truck with big tools, grease and oil smeared across my tanned, sweating torso in the harsh desert sun would be in order for this calendar. Tight pair of worn blue jeans and brown leather boots, brown belt and of course someone would have to rub me down with baby oil before we shoot the photos.

*snort*

I knew it would turn you on.

 

[Betticus]

*snort*

I knew it would turn you on.

Hang on, I gotta flick my bean for a bit...

 

[WriterDom]

http://www.augusta.com

Pretty good site there.

 

[naxalite0906]

Who are the picks to win it then... If tiger is 70-80% on form he should walk it shouldn't he?

My outside chances are casey and rose.... But my golf knowledge is poor.

 

[jockdom]

I hope Padraig has a good 4 rounds.

 

[WriterDom]

Gary Player is back this year. Bless his heart. Tiger is in the next to last pairing. I guess that means he'll go off early tomorrow.

 

[WriterDom]

Who are the picks to win it then... If tiger is 70-80% on form he should walk it shouldn't he?

My outside chances are casey and rose.... But my golf knowledge is poor.

http://www.gamblerspalace.com/lines/u.s_masters_odds_to_win

The oddsmakers are giving Tiger the edge with Phil second. But with golf, anything can happen.

 

[midwestyankee]

http://www.gamblerspalace.com/lines/u.s_masters_odds_to_win

The oddsmakers are giving Tiger the edge with Phil second. But with golf, anything can happen.

I'd be willing to bet that the top four or five places in this list (which I've not seen) are roughly equivalent to the same list from last year, and possibly the year before. The oddsmakers and golf tv pundits have little choice but to predict that the winner will be one of the big guns because their odds of picking the right big gun are significantly better than if they were to try to pick one of the less-known players to be the surprise winner. The thing is, surprise winners are actually more common in major championships than most people think.

Most major championships show a strange distribution of winners: there are a few multiple winners who also won nearly everything else (Sarazen, Hogan, Nicklaus, Watson, Faldo, for example) and many, many surprise one-timers (Jack Fleck, Larry Mize, Bob Tway, Paul Lawrie come to mind). There is also another category of one or two-time major winners who had more distinguished careers overall, but who were not a perpetual force in the majors: Justin Leonard, Nick Price, Lee Trevino, and Fuzzy Zoeller come to mind in this category). Much fewer than half of all major championships are won by the big guns.

But if you're a hotshot oddsmaker or tv golf guy, who do you stake your reputation on?

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Tiger's five back with a 70 - 2 under - after a flyer led to bogey on the 18th. Last time he pulled 70 on the first round (2002), he wore a green jacket away from the course Sunday evening. It's notable that he's never broken 70 on Day One, yet I think he holds the records for lowest score and largest winning margin. Could another "W" be in the weekend forecast?

 

[LilyBart]

I love golf.
And I love the Masters.
I especially love all of the azalea bushes...I can't grow them here, so I get homesick when I watch the tournament.

I love Tiger too...

I hope Padraig has a good 4 rounds.

But I have a big, big crush all over Paddy...



p.s. MWY and I should play golf together...it seems we play the same game.

p.p.s I have been known to throw a golf club when I am pissed (as in mad, not drunk, for you Brits)

p.p.p.s I play much better golf after my 3rd cocktail....

p.p.p.p.s. On my 3rd cocktail now...too bad its too dark to play golf...

~LB

(competing with Essene for awesome spelling while tipsy....)

Wondering if I will regret this post tomorrow...

 

[WriterDom]

Tiger is fine. Like they say you can't win it on the first day but you can lose it. There is a front coming through probably tonight that could dump a lot of rain on the course.

Looks like Player is done. There won't be a dry eye on 18 when he comes through.