The first day of the always long awaited years first major from Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA.
The weather is set fair after a blustery start to the week. The course looks glorious and the word is that it has rarely looked better, as the Dogwood’s, Azalea’s and other plants are well established and in full bloom providing the delightful colours to the lush green course.
Tim Clark of South Africa won the Par Three contest on Wednesday that provides the traditional family style start to the competitive Masters week. The highlight this year was Greg Norman’s Ace on the sixth hole. He got a big hug from his wife Chris Evert who got the attention of the galleries and photographers.
Arnold Palmer Starts the Masters
Four time winner, Arnold Palmer, got proceedings underway at 07.50 on Thursday morning, by hitting the honorary opening tee-shot, and the 2009 Masters adventure begins for the 96 players all aiming to be helped into the famous green jacket come Sunday evening.
Early leaders are Ross Fisher and Tim Clark, who is trying to prove that winning the Par Three contest is no barrier to winning the main thing. Gary Player goes through the intimidating Amen Corner, holes 11, 12 and 13 in even par, just like he did last year.
Difficulty of Amen Corner
The eleventh hole and the start to Amen Corner is a very long Par Four. At 505 yards the hole has been lengthened over the years and more pine trees added, tightening the fairway. A long drive is required to set up a second shot to the green which is guarded by a pond to the left and a bunker at the back. There will not be many birdies on this hole.
The twelth hole is one of the most famous Par-Three’s in golf and over the years many players challenge has ended, drowned in the water of Rae’s Creek at Amen Corner. Called Golden Bell, this is the shortest hole at Augusta. The main difficulty here is guessing the direction and strength of the wind. This is vital as there is only eight or nine paces in which to land the ball on the green. With Rae’s Creek in front and bunkers and bushes behind to eat up any wayward shots this can be a treacherous hole.
Hole thirteen, called The Azalea, as there are about 1600 of these on the hole, is a relatively short Par Five at 510 yards. If you can fire off an accurate tee shot then it is possible to get to the green in two shots but the green is guarded by a tributary of Rae’s Creek forcing some players to lay-up. There will be plenty of birdies on this hole and the occasional eagle, but also bogey’s as some players three putt on the lightning fast and slippery green.
Chad Campbell has made a lightning start and is five under after five holes and Shingo Katayama is at the same score after fifteen holes. Larry Mize, the 1987 champion, is rolling back the years, four under after negotiating Amen Corner.
Fred Couples Masters cut record
Fred Couples Masters cut record is, playing his 25th Masters, he has only missed the cut once, last year by just one shot. Couples, at this moment, as he tees up on the 11th, is even par overall for Amen Corner, which by maths is 282 holes.
Chad Campbell at one point reached nine under and threatened Greg Norman’s course record of 63. Campbell finishes at seven under for a 65 and a one shot lead over Jim Furyk and fellow American Hunter Mahan.
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