Who would have thought by week's end, the family values theme would have surfaced again. This time, it was Phil Mickelson, whose family traveled to Augusta for the first time since Amy Mickelson underwent treatment for breast cancer.
The Mickelson family's collective embrace was a reversal of what we had grown accustomed to the last four months.
Mickelson's shot making at this year's Masters will always be remembered, but at day's end, it was his love for his family that had everyone talking.
As a golf enthusiast, it's important to take a step back and look closely at some of the other groups that could steal headlines. Take the Ernie Els, AK, Ryo Ishikawa group. Now, there's a star-studded lineup.
Els has been on fire this year and AK posted his first win of the season last week in Houston. The Masters title has alluded the Big Easy, and winning this event might mean more to him than any other title. And then there's Ishikawa, who proved to us that he was the real deal last year at the President's Cup.
I'll also have my eye on the Tim Clark, Steve Marino, Tom Watson group. Talk about a clash of personalities. You have Marino's long-driving ability and aggressive style pitted against the accurate and conservative playing style of Clark. Then there's Watson, who last played with Marino in the third round of last year's British Open. I'm sure the emotions will be a little different this time around for the 8-time major champion.
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see Tiger. But I also want to be along for the ride as some of the other story lines play out.
Hats off to the strong effort put forth by The Golf Channel
team during Masters weekâin particular on Sunday.
One would think a three-hour pre-game and two-hour post-game would be too much, but TGC kept the material insightful and interesting.
Outside experts such as John Feinstein, Jim Gray and Larry Dorman were brought on to keep the analysis fresh, and they did just that.
With new management at TGC, this is a sign of good things to come.
The reigning Players Champion Sergio Garcia expressed his dismay with Augusta National Golf Club in a Golf Channel interview. Here's the exchange:
I thought Garcia had matured since the Players Championship. Obviously not. Here's what Brandel Chamblee had to say in response:
If any of you caught Kenny Perry's post-round comments on CBS, The Golf Channel or in the press room, then you witnessed a strong display of sportsmanship.
Perry was clearly disheartened and upset about the loss, but handled it all with class. He said that even though he lost the tournament, he was proud of Angel Cabrera. Here are a few tidbits:
Perry concluded his interview with Jim Gray by saying that "not everyone can be great" and that he's just "an average guy."
10 PGA Tour wins since the turn of the century and a hometown Ryder Cup victory goes a long way. So does an exemplary attitude. He's great in my book.
Below are snapshots from of a number of major news Web sites following Angel Cabrera's win at The Masters. To see more, follow the jump--
Angel Cabrera has become the first Argentine to win The Masters.
Hats off to Brandel Chamblee, who was the only analyst I heard make the Cabrera prediction before the telecast began.
What made the telecast so interesting for me was how quickly the focus changed when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson finished up their rounds. All of a sudden our attention shifted to three golfers named Cabrera, Perry and Campbell who were playing some excellent golf as well.
I have a feeling that this year's Masters highlight reel will be watched closely for years to come.
Folks, enjoy the coverage today. I won't be doing the live blog for this tournament, so rather than going to one of the mainstream sites, make your way over to Geoff Shackelford for his live blog.
Check back here for the latest after the tournament ends for news and commentary.
