I haven't started many threads in the years that I've been on this board, and because of work, I haven't been able to keep up much. However, Golfclubatlas usually has the best spot on commentary of the Masters and golf in general for that matter.
Here's my observation of the tournament, and I'm sure there will be many that I have overlooked:
Masters.org- I thought the website was incredible. Being able to picture-in-picture through Amen Corner, 15-16, Featured Pairings and Masters Extra was like sitting in the production truck and watching my own telecast. Really cool if have checked it out.
The golf course- One of the best set-ups in memory. Billy Payne wanted the roars to come back, and they did. I thought the balance of hard and easy pins of the course set-up was great. A while back, Pat Mucci and I got into one of those "discussions" of the pins on 15. Last year, I felt that there were too many back pins on the green. This year, Billy Payne explained in his opening press conference that they redid 15 green to bring back the right front pin. This year, the locations were spread out over the entire green. They did a fine job with that.
Lee Westwood- Gave a very credible interview after his round outside the scorer's hut. He made a lot of fans there.
Tiger- The opposite with his interview. Let's leave it at that.
Phil- Solid play, went out and won the Masters. Shot 67. A real made for TV movie on the horizon. But my hat's off for him.
My disappointment- Every year, between the time the winner disappears in the scorer's tent, and the time he reappears in the Butler Cabin, CBS does a 5 minute highlight package. This year I expected CBS to show Jack and Arnold to kick the highlights off by starting the tournament Thursday AM, followed by mention of Ray Floyd announcing that he no longer is competing in the tournament. Then go to the Thursday highlights leading with the play of the old guys of Watson, Langer, Lyle, and Couples. Sprinkle in some great shots that day. Then go to Friday's highlights with some of the great shots of that day. Saturday's highlights would of been explosive with all of the eagles and movement. Then Sunday, a short tribute to Watson and Couples, watch Kim's and Watney's incredible rounds, then go to the horse race itself. Watch Tiger self-destruct, then watch Phil display some incredible shotmaking.
But, after teh scoring tent, they some interviews, and then they paraded Phil, Angel, and Masseo into the Butler Cabin. It felt like that they had to hurry the ceremony because the soup was getting cold. And then, that was it. they faded to 60 minutes..... I was looking forward to the highlights that never came, and just felt like I was bumrushed out.
Comments?