I've been playing around with the
tracking app on the Masters website and upon reading this thread I took it upon myself to look at some of the players who seemed to be in contention. Here's my very unofficial, way too small sample size look at what I saw from the app, as well as what I can remember from watching:
1. The position of the drive seemed to have little decision as to whether they played aggressively or not. Players who were in the fairway seemed to choose to go for the pins on the left side of that green whether they were on the left or right side. This is for, in my opinion, one of two reasons: 1. the soft conditions made pins on the left more accessible, and the small difference as to whether to play right or left held less significance, and 2. The distance guys are hitting the ball completely changes the hole. Jason Day had 158 yards in one of the days. Rory had 162. Lengthening it would be a bad decision, as it takes shorter hitters out of the mix almost entirely. But it's disheartening to see guys hitting pitching wedges into what is supposed to be (and from a scoring standpoint, still is) one of the most fearful long par 4's in all of golf.
2. The pin on Friday was in a horrendously boring location. For variety I could see them making the argument it's a good pin. In firm conditions it would be a pretty interesting pin to watch. In Fridays softness, it created no bold plays. The tee shot has been rendered more dull and the approach to that pin only made the matter worse. What a shame.
3. It should be noted that the alley for the patrons actually played a huge role in Speith's ability to get to the right side of the green if I recall correctly (the tracking app certainly seems to indicate this as well). Wouldn't it make more sense to push the trees into that alley, bring back the strategy of width (perhaps with a fairway bunker on the inside of the dogleg which could produce some exciting shots) make more sense?
4. There's been a lot of talk about the banks being shaved and it indicates that Phil Mickelson's ball stopped on the bank of the pond. I don't recall his ball doing this but this is something that would not have happened in years past.
Now to conclude, I think Spieth would have won this tournament this week regardless of the conditions or the setup. Could it have been closer? Absolutely. 16 seemed to be Justin Rose's last shot, and much like when Bubba ran away with it last year, the contenders, as much as they have in the past, couldn't seem to hit the bold shots that make days like that interesting. That's a shame. I'm in agreement that it would be nice to see the second cut eliminated in at least some areas. But really, this was more or less the same golf course we've really enjoyed watching the past few years. I just hope it's a bit firmer next year.
Also, don't be fooled by the uptick from last year. 2011 and 2013 fetched a 10.4 (Schwartzel and Adam Scott respectively winning each). 2010 fetched a whopping 12.0, largely cause Tiger was coming back from his scandal and him and Phil tore it up.
I just regret not putting money on Spieth when I was in Vegas a few weeks ago
