One for the ages, put it down in the history books, what legends are made of – and the clichés continue. Sunday, April 14th, 2019 is in the history books as one of the most memorable golf tournaments of a lifetime. The 83rd Master’s lived up to the hype and went way beyond the imaginable.
History started April 5th and 6th with the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament, followed by the world popular Drive Chip and Putt competition. Monday, April 8th the invited players gathered at Augusta National with the patrons to open the gates for the 83rd Master’s and tee off the countdown to the Celebratory 1st shot with Player and Nicklaus. (Time for Augusta National to invite Tom Watson to the ceremony.)
You could tell from the moment the first tee shot flew down the 1st fairway there was history in the air. The Master’s did not fail to entertain and create topics for conversations in 19th holes across the states. Who’s who on the leader board, the beginning of the Tiger watch and speculation on the odds of Corey Conners keeping his dream alive. It didn’t happen but the young man who Monday qualified for the Valero Texas Open and won the tournament to punch his invite to the Master’s did make the cut and finish 46th.
The 83rd Master’s was the exclamation point on the career on one gentleman that plays like his name – TIGER! He played focused, determined and fan friendly! On Sunday teamed with Tony Finau and Francisco Molinari – the Nike trio took off at the historic weather forced 9:20 am tee time. Experience won as the two young guns put it in the water on 12th and saw their dreams go down the drain.
You Gotta Like That Tiger shot on #16 par 3 – stops a foot from the cup for a tap in birdie and 2 stroke lead. The rest was the final chapter to history. The drop of the winning putt, the roar of a Tiger and embrace of family – great job by CBS showing Tiger and his Dad embracing in 1997 and fast forward to Tiger and his son in the same embrace – the tears were flowing.
Tiger – the one fans loved or hated for years. But the miscues, injuries and arrogance are gone. The new fan friendly Tiger is back. The win will provide a hurricane wind of adrenaline into the game of golf around the globe. The post tournament interviews saw a new Tiger – new and improved in all aspects of character and talent. High five Mr. Woods – we will see you at Bethpage Black for the PGA Championship and the next chapter in golf history.
You Gotta Like That.