The Golf Watch

Golf Channel Masters coverage excels

Hats off to the strong effort put forth by The Golf Channel team during Masters week—in 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. 

Sergio Garcia vaguely outlines his problem with Augusta National

The reigning Players Champion Sergio Garcia expressed his dismay with Augusta National Golf Club in a Golf Channel interview.  Here's the exchange:

Garcia:  I don't like it to tell you the truth.  I don't think it's fair.  It's too tricky.  Even when it's dry you still get mud balls in the middle of the fairway.  It's too much of a guessing game.

Q: What would you like to see them do different?  Is it more about pin placement?

Garcia:  I don't care.  They can do whatever they want.  It's not my problem.  I just come here and play and then go home.  That's about it.

I thought Garcia had matured since the Players Championship.  Obviously not.  Here's what Brandel Chamblee had to say in response:

He's played golf all over the world.  By now, he should have matured. His game is mature. He's had so many close calls in major championships that he should have gotten one by now. He certainly has the talent to do it. But the sour grapes attitude he carries around with him--it doesn't serve him very well.

Perry handles Masters defeat with grace

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:

It will sting.  I'll shed some tears over it the next few weeks...Everything is a bonus in my career.  I'm proud of how I hung in there.

The fans, they were so good to me this week.  I can't thank them enough.

If this is the worst thing that ever happens to me, then my life is pretty good. 

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. 

Cabrera-Masters Headlines

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--

Cabrera wins 2009 Masters

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.

Happy Masters Sunday

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. 

The nerves of a first timer at Augusta

We hear stories all the time about professional golfers having first tee jitters, but it's rare to hear golfers share feelings of extreme anxiety.

David Barrett provides a few excerpts from reigning US Amateur champion Danny Lee's press conference, and below are a few of the more noteworthy quotes:

Q: Do you think it’s possible, could a guy like you at your age and lack of experience, could you win this week?

DANNY LEE: No. I’m having really bad nerves at the moment, seriously. All of the crowds yesterday, I was nervous, really shaking my clubs, and wasn’t swinging properly. I’ve never seen that many crowds out there and, you know, that many greatest players playing in this tournament. I’m still nervous and I’m trying to relax every time and trying to practice hard and see how it goes.

(Later) Q: I’m worried about you being nervous. This is a long way for a boy from Rotarau High School; will you get your nerves under control by the time you smack it the first time?

I’m working on it. Still having nerves from the media stuff again.

Q: All friends, Danny.

I’m trying to think this is friends, and when I get nervous, I can’t really talk properly, because my nerves are breaking down and I’m having a stomach ache, too. I’m serious. I’m trying to calm myself every time, but I know as soon as I go outside the clubhouse and watch all of those crowds out there, I cannot get relaxed or nice and calm like that. But I’m still working on it.

"It's become a US Open style golf tournament"

On the Grey Goose this evening, John Hawkins plugged his upcoming story in this week's Golf World about the problems at Augusta National--namely the lack of buzz and excitement in recent years (one can only assume due to the Tiger-proofing). 

Hawkins said The Masters has become a "US Open style golf tournament" and that "the golf course is too hard." 

2009 Masters betting odds

I'm not much of a betting man, but a family member recently visited Las Vegas and picked up a sheet of paper for me with the odds for the 2009 Masters.  And what do you know...Tiger Woods, who still hasn't picked up a club since his knee surgery, has the best odds at 11/5.  Other notables include:

Padraig Harrington 10/1, Phil Mickelson 8/1, Greg Norman 100/1, Colin Montgomerie 100/1, John Daly 250/1. 

Masters starter, Harison, dies at 82

Augusta National Golf Club announced yesterday that longtime starter Phil Harison died on Sunday at the age of 82.  If you are as obsessed with Masters replays as I am, you would remember Harison for his renowned introduction of each golfer: "Fore please, Arnold Palmer now driving."  Harison was one of only two people to attend every Masters since it began in 1934.  Thomas Bonk of the LA Times writes:

When you're the announcer at the first tee of the Masters for 60 years like Phil Harison was, you might think there would be some kind of flowery phrases in his words as he introduced the golfers, one by one.

Instead, it was simple, brief, perfect.