Player, Nicklaus and ‘Arnie’s Army’ gather at Augusta to remember the legend with the blacksmith’s arms who put the Masters on the mapThe sun came up at 7.10 in Augusta but it was another 30 minutes before it reached the first tee. By the time it rose above the clubhouse roof there were already several thousand fans gathered all around, packed so thick there was no way to weave through, and latecomers had to turn back and find a spot to watch from somewhere down the fairway.This year they had not just come to see the old champions taking part in the honorary start but to mark the one who was missing, Arnold Palmer, who died last September. In his...
From the nearly man who gave golf lessons to Dwight Eisenhower to a player whose clothing would have made Payne Stewart look like Johnny Cash Related: The 94-year-old Masters champion, who shares Tiger’s locker, on why he won’t go back Related: Masters 2017: Contenders and outsiders to watch, from Johnson to Luck Nicklaus warmly congratulated his victor, who was quick to offer an apology for misinterpreting eventsThe beginning of the Tiger era – and one of those rare events that can genuinely be described as epochal Related: The forgotten story of … the 1966 Masters | Scott Murray Continue reading...
Jordan Spieth is hoping to make amends after blowing a five-stroke lead by dropping six strokes in three back-nine holes during the final round of last year’s MastersIf afforded an each-way Masters bet to save your life, there would be no cause for deliberation. Jordan Spieth finished tied second on his Augusta National debut in 2014, returned to win the opening major of 2015 and, despite an epic, painful collapse last year, showed enough resolve to play the closing six holes in one under par to be joint runner-up.Leading sportspeople insist career lows resonate far more than the ultimate highs. If that is the case, Spieth’s stumble from a seemingly unassailable position of five shots in front of the 2016...
Here are some hopes and ambitions – with varying confidence – for golf in 2017The characteristics of a wraparound season mean golf is never really absent. However, the arrival of so many leading lights in Hawaii last week plus the appearance of the European Tour’s marquee Abu Dhabi event on the horizon triggers thoughts of this sport starting all over again. Here are some hopes and ambitions – with varying confidence – for the year ahead: Related: Tiger Woods announces 2017 schedule as he steps up his PGA comeback Related: Muirfield members face their demons again: is it time to let the ladies in? | Marina Hyde Related: Danny Willett’s Ryder Cup made harder by brother’s foolish words Continue reading...
If the authorities are determined to curb slow play, picking on the world No1 while ignoring others who are renowned for a lack of urgency makes no senseIt is the subject guaranteed to send even mild-mannered golfing observers into a state of frenzy. Piece the words slow and play together before watching sparks fly; it can really be great fun. The only thing more consistent than slow play is the regularity with which people prattle on about it. Related: Muirfield members face their demons again: is it time to let the ladies in? | Marina Hyde Related: Sport calendar 2017: your essential guide to the next 12 months Continue reading...