There aren’t really many clear favourites heading into the weekened at Augusta. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have yet to put an under par round together, and Brett Wetterich and tiny Tim Clark continue to hang around. Once again, I don’t think either will win.
Vaughn Taylor has to still be considered, and I would have said Zach Johnson would have a great shot, but then he melted down on the final holes yesterday. Vijay Singh is hanging tight and has won before, but I really like Geoff Ogilvy, who at 1-over, has all the skills to take this. Apparently Mike Weir likes his chances, but I just don’t see it.
“That’s nothing in these conditions,” the 2003 Masters champion said of the five-stroke gap, describing his round Friday as one of his best yet at Augusta National. “The more I’m playing in these conditions, the more I’m liking my chances.”
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Some clips worth reading:
Ian O’Connor talks about how the death of Brett Wetterich’s brother is pushing him forward. A local Augusta golf writer, probably worried about offending the members, says the course is not set up like the U.S. Open.
A popular refrain has been wafting through the pines around Augusta National Golf Club, and it makes you cringe to hear it.
The Masters Tournament has turned into the U.S. Open. At least that’s a phrase some critics are throwing around way too casually.
For starters, it’s pure blasphemy … not to mention ludicrous.
After two torturously difficult days of golf in the 71st Masters Tournament, the players have come off the course grumbling about the test they’ve been presented with. That’s about as close to a U.S. Open as this gets.
Granted, the Masters has been a little bit too much like work this week and a lot less like fun. Granted, the high scores are similar to what the U.S. Golf Association salivates over every time it sets up a championship venue. Granted, the tranquility of the course seemed a little more like a Good Friday Mass.
Good points on the USGA stuff. Doesn’t exactly support the notion that the course isn’t set up like a U.S. Open, now does it?
