04 10 bz golf section

Golf equipment and fittingtechnology offers sportenthusiasts a better

chance to set themselves up forsuccess.

With assistance from state-of-the-art computing, optimal balllaunch angle and spin rate aren’ta mystery for the everyday golfer.Someone can just about guaranteea good swing ends in a good resultthese days.

Class A PGA professional andteacher Chuck Little knows thepath to club fitting success.

Little, based out of the Golf Clubat Cuscowilla’s Teaching Center,played what felt right years ago. Arun in with a Henry-Griffitts clubfitter changed his outlook in thelate 1990s.

“He put me in some clubs, and itimmediately opened my eyes torealize there was a lot to this thatit was vastly important that golfersat any level had clubs that fitthem,” Little said. “Ever sincethen, I’ve been big into club fit-ting.”

Poorly tailored clubs causeswing compensations. The worstscenario is to make a good motionand the ball not go where it’s sup-posed to, according to Little.

The custom fit trend exploded atthe turn of the century.

“The use of the launch monitorhas really beefed up and giveninstant credibility to club fitting,”Little said. “You don’t need to fallin love with a ball flight becausewhat you think might be right maynot be right for you at all. Themonitor brings that out reallyfast.”

Cuscowilla fits on the ForesightHead Measurement Technology

(HMT) that precisely capturesclub head data with ease andaccuracy.

Players instantly see criticaldata such as club head speed, hor-izontal club path, smash factor,dynamic loft and lie and impactlocation.

Every club can be tracked.Swing and other critical ball

flight information displays on anLCD screen attached to the unit oron an HD screen that visually cap-tures, sorts and saves club headperformance in real-time.

“It’s made club fitting so mucheasier,” Little said.

Other portable monitors such asthe TrackMan and FlightScopeaccomplish similar fitting goalsalso. These units pack a heavycost punch, but finding a facilitywith one can change your perspec-tive on what the right bag setuptruly is.

This available technologyenables experts to properly “gap”an individuals clubs through truecarry distance numbers.

“Most people have no clue howfar they carry the ball,” the LakeOconee teacher said.

Club gapping supports distancecontrol. Having the right loft

remains an underrated yet keynotion.

Surprising to most, major golfmanufactured custom clubs cometo the buyer with up to a two-degree loft variance.

This means a five and six ironcould basically play like “thesame club,” according to Little.Regular loft checks are a must forconsistency.

The current golf equipment mar-ket features countless adjustablehybrids, fairway woods and driv-ers for proper turning.

Movable weights and hosel con-figurations turned the industryaround.

Numerous loft, lie and weightadjustments make the modernclubs play several different ways.In some cases as a golfer mayimprove or make swing changes, iterases the need to purchaseanother club.

“What’s interesting is that mostpeople that buy the clubs don’tever fool with them,” Little said.“When they come, you realize theyaren’t where they need to be, andwe tinker with them.”

A common misconception starts

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Technology validates the perfect golf club choiceTHE PERFECT CLUBLIFE ON

THE LINKSCUSCOWILLA

2 – On the Links Thursday, April 10, 2013www.lakeoconeebreeze.net

By KYLE COLLINSLake Oconee Breeze

Kyle Collins/Lake Oconee BreezeTop: Certified club fitter Chuck Little explains the adjustability ofTaylorMade's popular SLDR driver to Cuscowilla member Stan Pantel.Above: Class A PGA professional, teacher and club fitter Chuck Little watch-es Stan Pantel try out a new club at the Golf Club at Cuscowilla's TeachingCenter. The facility utilizes high-tech launch monitor technology to ensuregolfers of all skill sets play the proper equipment.

Please see CLUB page 3

with those opening or closing theclubface.

Opening the face actuallydecreases loft as closing does theopposite.

“It’s hard to explain. I usuallysay you just have to trust me onthis and then show them,” he said.

Little recommends adjusting theweight instead of face angle forperformance tuning.

Another recent trend is longerdriver shafts. The average driverlength nears 46 inches today.

Two decades ago, a 43-inch club

was considered standard. A longer shaft may increase dis-

tance on one out of 10 drives, butLittle warns the average playerfrom falling into the trap.

Most players average hitting ashorter and higher lofted 3-woodfarther than the driver.

“The proof is in the pudding. Ifyou look at the stats on tour, thereisn’t one guy out there hitting a 46-inch driver,” Little said. “They allhave a 44 and a half or 45-inchdriver. Where is the logic in that?You know they square the clubbetter than an average golfer, yetthey are swinging one that’s 46

inches.”The launch monitor usually vali-

dates Little’s theory.Overall, today’s certified club

fitting experts and teachers gener-ally envision eliminating the needfor swing manipulation to attainthe desired shot result as the endgoal.

Modern equipment and technol-ogy comes closer to guaranteeinga nice swing is rewarded.

Little is excited for MastersWeek 2014.

The annual professional majorheld at Augusta National GolfClub attracts thousands to theLake Oconee golf communities.Maybe, a few folks will come awaywith a few extra yards utilizingCuscowilla’s fitting setup.

“Fitting someone in a driverdoesn’t take too long. From myaspect, it’s getting a clue as towhat shaft to put in [the club] anddialing the thing in. Most will selltheir soul for 10 extra yards,”Little joked.

to know for the Masters10 THINGS

1. A MASTERS WITHOUTTIGER

Tiger Woods, a four-timeMasters champion, had back sur-gery to relieve a pinched nerve 10days before the opening round.He will not play the Masters forthe first time since 1994, when hewas a senior in high school.

2. ODE TO THE EISENHOWERTREE

The most famous tree atAugusta National is no more. TheEisenhower Tree, a 65-foot loblol-ly pine that was about 210 yardsoff the tee on No. 17, could not besaved from extensive damagecaused by an ice storm inFebruary. It was named after for-mer President Dwight D.Eisenhower, an Augusta memberwho hit into it so often that heproposed chopping it down dur-ing a club meeting in 1956.Eisenhower, running for re-elec-tion, was overruled.

3. THE ROOKIESAt 23, the number of first-timers

at the Masters is the most since1935, and this is believed to be thestrongest rookie class ever. Ten of17 professionals are in the top 50in the world ranking, led by 20-year-old Jordan Spieth at No. 13in the world. The last player towin the Masters in his debut wasFuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

4. UNPREDICTABLE PHILPhil Mickelson had a runner-up

finish in Abu Dhabi to start hisseason, and he hasn’t cracked thetop 15 in any tournament sincethen. He has withdrawn twicebecause of soreness in his back,

both times after making the cut atTorrey Pines and the Texas Open.He has 14 finishes in the top 10 atAugusta. A victory would tie himwith Woods and Arnold Palmerwith four green jackets.

5. DEFENDING CHAMPIONSAdam Scott will try to join Jack

Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo(1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-02) as the only players to success-fully defend their titles at theMasters. A year ago, he becamethe first Australian in a greenjacket.

6. HOUSE RULESThe Masters will be under

greater scrutiny than usual overthe rules after what happenedwith Tiger Woods last year. Woodswas penalized two shots for takingan improper drop on the 15th holein the second round. Even thoughhe had already signed his card‚disqualification for an incorrectscorecard, he was allowed to stayin the tournament because ofwhat Augusta National called acommittee error. There has beentalk about the Masters having anofficial with every group.

7. FATHER AND SONKevin Stadler won the Phoenix

Open to make history at theMasters. He will join his father,Craig Stadler, as the only fatherand son to play in the sameMasters. Craig Stadler is exemptfor life for winning the 1982Masters. He has thought about nolonger playing until his son wonin Phoenix to qualify for his first

Thursday, April 10, 2013 On the Links – 3www.lakeoconeebreeze.net

CLUB, from page 2

Kyle Collins/Lake Oconee BreezeNumerous loft, lie and weight adjustments make the modern clubs play several different ways. In some cases as a golfer may improve or make swingchanges, it erases the need to purchase another club.

Please see THINGS page 5

Middle Georgia has someof the best academicschools in the state

attracting some of the finest talentin the golf world. In about a 30-mile radius from Milledgeville toMacon you can encompass a realmspanning three different divisionsbetween the National CollegiateAthletic Association (NCAA) andthe National Junior CollegiateAthletic Association (NJCAA).

The heart of Georgia’sAntebellum Capital, Milledgeville,is home to Georgia Military College(GMC) and Georgia College (GC).The former competes in the NJCAAwith the latter vying at NCAADivision II. Just southwest of thetwo is Mercer University at theDivision I level in Macon.

In recent years, there have beensome promising golfers to come outthese schools from surprising loca-tions and with incredible results.We asked each coach of the threeschools to reflect on their mostmemorable players and each chosea player from overseas.

Current GMC head golf coachDave Franklin wasn’t at the helm adecade ago when BrendanO’Connell was the top golfer whowon GMC the NJCAA Division IIINational Championship in 2004,but he thinks he’s coaching theclosest resemblance of O’Connell

now with 2013 First Team All-American and GMC team captainEthan Chamineak.

“The strongest part of his game ismental,” said Franklin. “He man-ages his game with a conservativeattitude and for the most part staysaway from trouble, which makeshim a consistent scorer.”

“Ethan has a great practice workethic and his free spirit is conta-gious to the other players and itkeeps them on their toes. He knowswhat it takes to have a successfulprogram and loves the challenge.”

The current sophomore was amedalist three times in 2013including equaling O’Connell’s featas the medalist at the NJCAADivision III NationalChampionship held in Jamestown,N.Y. last year. Chamineak helpedthe team to a fifth overall finish ina field of 19 and took top honors byjust one stroke in the national spot-light.

In addition, the easternEuropean who has ties to theCzech Republic and Poland, hasalso been the top medalist in the2013 Abraham BaldwinAgricultural College (ABAC)Classic Golf Tournament and the2013 Mississippi Gulf CoastCommunity College (MGCCC)Invitational, winning the former bytwo strokes and the latter by three.

Current GeorgiaCollege golf coachJimmy Wilsonneeded no time torelay the top golferin his program.

“Without adoubt, NiclasJohansson,” saidthe coach of theNo. 20-rankedBobcats.

Just likeC h a m i n e a k ,Johansson is atransport fromEurope. TheSwede is the onlymale four-time All-American in anysport at Division IIGeorgia College.

Interestingly enough whileChamineak attends a military col-lege, Johansson did a two-yearstint in the Swedish Navy beforeenrolling at Georgia College. Theparallels don’t end there.

“Away from the golf course, hehad a way of keeping his team-mates loose,” said Wilson. “Hecould call a teammate out withoutthe teammate being offended. Thething I liked about him most wasthat he hated to lose, possibly evenmore than myself. Niclas was asmentally-tough as any player to

come before or after at GeorgiaCollege.”

Johansson is currently preparingfor the 2014 European ChallengeTour with 25 tournaments in 20 dif-ferent countries. In addition tobeing a four-time All-American atGeorgia College, Johansson wasalso awarded the Georgia CollegeSenior Male Athlete of the Year in2010 just before he turned pro. Hisultimate goal is to be a member ofthe PGA Tour. The former businessmajor at Georgia College even hashis own website,www.johanssongolf.com.

Wilson loves to tell the storyabout how Johansson was over-looked in his native Sweden for thetop golf academy there, but out-performed all those chosen in frontof him.

“His determination to be the bestand to let no one beat him sets himapart,” said Wilson. “Anotherexample of his mental toughnessand dedication can be found inlooking at how he balanced his suc-cess on the course with additionalsuccess in the classroom by gradu-ating in four years with nearly a 3.5GPA.”

Wilson is a three-time RegionCoach of the Year, as well as athree-time Peach Belt Conference

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THE LINKSMIDDLE GA.


By MARK JAGORDLake Oconee Breeze

Contributed photoMercer University coach Steve Bradley and Trey Rule.

Please see TOP page 8

Johansson

Chamineak


Masters.8. IRISH EYES

ARE SMILING?This could be good

news for NorthernIreland’s trio ofGraeme McDowell,Rory McIlroy or evenDarren Clarke. In theother four majorsthat Tiger Woods did-n’t play because ofinjury, they were wonby PadraigHarrington of Ireland(2008 British Openand 2008 PGAC h a m p i o n s h i p ) ,McIlroy (2011 U.S.Open) and Clarke(2011 British Open).

9. WHO’S NO. 1?Adam Scott and

Henrik Stenson caneach go to No. 1 in theworld for the firsttime in their careersdepending on howthey fare at theMasters. It will be thethird tournament inwhich Scott has had amathematical chanceto replace Woods atopthe world ranking.

10. DRIVE, CHIPAND PUTT

The action getsstarted a day early atAugusta National thisyear when the clubstages its first “Drive,Chip and Putt” con-test on Sunday. Thedriving and chippingwill take place on thepractice range. Theputting contest willbe on the 18th green,from the same spotwhere defendingchampion Adam Scottmade his 20-footbirdie putt last yearthat got him into aplayoff.

THINGS, from page 3

Any golfer might grunt aspirited whine about ashot in the bunker, but the

cellar is where many spectators,who are thinking about spirits,wines and shots, end up.

The Oconee Cellar that is. Whether it’s for golf, atmosphere

or nightlife, thousands flock annu-ally to Lake Oconee for MastersWeek. And whether the weathercooperates, many are looking forunique places to visit and shopwhen the golfing day ends.

While the games are in motion,the shopkeepers of Oconee are

hard at work preparing for theevening crowd. After each day’sproceedings, the multitudes returnto town to enjoy Oconee’s manyvenues of food, music and drink.

The Oconee Cellar is one suchvenue. Located on Lake OconeeParkway, it offers premier alco-holic beverages to the Lake Oconeecommunity. The Oconee Cellar hasgarnered its reputation through itsbroad selection of beverages andloyal customer service, which hasonly grown throughout its 16 yearsof operation.

Owner Matt Garafolo said theOconee Cellar has a symbioticrelationship with the Oconeearea. The numerous fans ofMasters Week created a demandthat the Oconee Cellar was quickto satisfy.

“When we set up 16 years ago,you could tell there was a demandfor nicer wines out there,”remarked Garafolo. “It (OconeeCellar) just kind of fit a niche.”

Garafolo also prides himself onthe Oconee Cellar’s exemplarycustomer service. He said thathe’s always happy to place a spe-cial order for a customer.

“We’re determined to providewines from all countries at allprices,” said the longtime owner.“We’re on the cutting edge of spir-its. If something new comes out,we’re always bringing it in. I wantthe Cellar to be a one-stop shop.And of course, we have beer aswell.”

Because of this proactive mis-sion, the Oconee Cellar boasts awide variety of beverages, wines,spirits and more.

Beers and wines are not consid-ered spirits because fermentationonly occurs at below 20 percentalcohol-by-volume. Spirits are dis-tilled drinks of 20 percent or morealcohol-by-volume that are notsweetened with added sugars orflavors and often referred to asliqueurs.

Garafolo said that Masters Weekis unquestionably the biggestweek of the year for him and DougPaine, a friend and employee atthe Oconee Cellar.

Garafolo and Paine note sometrends in the Masters Week crowd.

“It’s mostly a guy’s event,” Painesaid, also noting that inclementweather can boost sales. “Someweeks it’s rainy. We prefer one ortwo rainy days when people arestuck inside, it’s good for us.”

Although customers might bedrawn to the store for its beers,wines and spirits, Garafolo isquick to point out the store’s otherattractions.

“We’re always doing specials,especially around Masters Week.We also offer good quality cigarsat competitive prices,” saidGarafolo.

The Oconee Cellar keeps up-to-date on the goings-on in the worldof wines, and passes on thoseupdates to its customer base via amonthly newsletter. Customershave the opportunity to join theCellar’s Wine Club, which selectsa leading white and red wine eachmonth offered at discountedprices to club members. TheOconee Cellar also offers arewards program for its patrons.

The vast range of beveragesdraws crowds to the Cellar. Thestaff ’s dedication to quality drinkselections and a passion for serv-ice keep the crowds coming back.Garafolo’s enthusiasm for bothgolf and drink preserve theOconee Cellar’s reputation as aprincipal provider in the LakeOconee area.

The Lake Oconee Masters Weekblends sporting tension with a cor-dial atmosphere at a beautifullocation. The beautiful afternoonsand luscious lake are inspiringand breathtaking backdrops thatadds to the overall ambiance. Thesights and sounds of Lake Oconee,Madison and Eatonton are a per-fect follow-through to a day at thecourse.

Although he is not participatingin this year’s tournament,Garafolo is also an avid golfer. Heprefers to play at Cuscowilla onLake Oconee, where he is a member.

The Oconee Cellar is located on6350 Lake Oconee Parkway inGreensboro. Customers can viewits products, events and moreonline at:www.theoconeecellar.com.

Whether you’re trying to createthat perfect Georgia drink withsome peach ingredients like afuzzy navel, you never know whomyou might bump into at theOconee Cellar. Probably the mostfamous of fuzzy-related items toappear in the store is pro golferFuzzy Zoeller, who has passedthrough on many occasions.Zoeller was champion of the 1979Masters and 1984 U.S. Open, andmore recently, the 2002 SeniorPGA championship.

“We’ve had players come in ontheir way to the course,” Garafoloadds. “Fuzzy Zoeller has come innumerous times; he’s a vodkaman. We do have other professional players also stop by.”

The Oconee Cellar is locatednext to Publix on Highway 44.

Wines, beers, liqueurs, spirits, cigars and more at The CellarBEYOND THE GREEN

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Breeze file photoThe Oconee Cellar has garnered its reputation through its broad selection of beverages and loyal customer service, which has only grown throughout its16 years of operation.

By ALEXANDER CARRERELake Oconee Breeze

This Masters is all abouta green jacket, not a redshirt.

Tiger Woods, who has slippedthat coveted coat over hisSunday shirt four times, wasfinishing up his senior year ofhigh school in southernCalifornia the last time he was-n’t at Augusta National the firstfull week of April. That was 20years ago.

Jose Maria Olazabal won theMasters in 1994, making him the14th player to win the last 14majors. Greg Norman was No. 1in the world, but golf didn’thave anyone truly dominatingthe game. Phil Mickelson was23 and already had three PGATour victories, but he missedthe Masters with a broken legfrom a skiing accident.

The landscape is so much dif-ferent without Woods and hisred shirt, his power color thathe has worn in every finalround of his career.

He already was hobbling onhis road to the Masters. Woodswithdrew from the HondaClassic in the final round withlower back pain. He withdrewas two-time defending champi-on at Bay Hill before the tour-nament even started. And ninedays before the opening roundof the Masters, the world’s No.1 player disclosed he had sur-gery for a pinched nerve in hisback that will keep out of golfuntil the summer.

“Tiger in any golf tournamentcreates an unbelievable atmos-phere,” said Steven Bowditchof Australia, the last man toqualify for Augusta after win-ning the Texas Open. “To not

have him there at the Masters isnot the greatest.”

Golf goes on.The 78th Masters, which

starts Thursday, typically

brings the most anticipation ofany of the four majors and getsthe highest television ratings.It sets the tone for the year, andit was seen as particularly

important for Woods, who isgoing on six years without amajor.

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Masters prepares for a mixed field, with no Tiger2014 BREAKDOWN

The ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Photo/David J. PhillipBrandt Snedeker is handed a club by his daughter Lily as he and his wife Mandy walk the course during the parthree competition at the Masters golf tournament Wednesday, April 9, 2014, in Augusta.

Please see FIELD page 8

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(PBC) Coach of the Year for thecurrent No. 20 Georgia College.Wilson and the Bobcats are justcoming off winning the BearcatClassic Invitational Tournamenthosted by Lander University a fewweeks ago.

Like GMC Coach Franklin,Mercer University’s SteveBradley is also in his third year atthe helm. Bradley really likesthree of his current players, apair of seniors and a junior thathave helped his team to a national ranking at No. 33.

“Trey Rule is a really good ball-striker with a lot of length and alot of talent,” said Bradley aboutone of his first recruits who wonthe 2014 Gator Invitational.

Bradley is also high on the sen-ior tandem of Hans Reimers andJames Beale, with the latter hailing from New Zealand.

“Hans has been the hardestworker the last three years with awork ethic second to none,” saidBradley. The Oregon native was a

co-medalist at the 2013 BrickyardCollegiate hosted by Mercer.

“James has really dedicatedhimself this spring and theresults are showing,” addedBradley. He is probably the mosttalented player on the team andhe had an exceptional sophomoreyear.”

That year, Beale won the 2012Irish Creek Collegiate hosted byUNC Charlotte.

Both the Bears and Bobcats aregetting set for their conferencechampionship play this month.The No. 33 Bears compete in theDivision I Atlantic SunConference, while the No. 20Bobcats compete in the DivisionII PBC. Georgia Military Collegewill have to wait until June tocompete in the NJCAA DivisionIII Championship in N.Y.

Whether you’re in Oconee,Milledgeville or Macon, there isalways good golf in the area andyou can always look up where theteams are playing if Oconee does-n’t meet your golf obsession during Masters Week.

Contributed photoGMC golf team members. Current GMC head golf coach Dave Franklin (farright) wasn’t at the helm a decade ago when Brendan O’Connell was thetop golfer who won GMC the NJCAA Division III National Championship in2004, but he thinks he’s coaching the closest resemblance of O’Connell nowwith 2013 First Team All-American and GMC team captain Ethan Chamineak(fourth frmo left).

TOP, from page 4

The anticipation is differentnow. Maybe it’s more of acuriosity. The Masters has thesmallest field of the fourmajors — 96 players this year —and for years had the shortest

list of candidates to win thegreen jacket.

Now, the list keeps gettinglonger.

“I don’t think it’s just theMasters,” Rory McIlroy said.“Golf in general is just very

FIELD, from page 7

AP Photo/David J. PhillipTennis player Caroline Wozniacki high fives with her fiancee Rory McIlroy, ofNorthern Ireland, after Wozniacki putted on the ninth hole during the par threecompetition at the Masters golf tournament Wednesday, April 9, 2014, inAugusta.

The ContendersA look at players expected to contend inthe Masters

RORY MCILROYAge: 24.Country: Northern Ireland.World ranking: 7.Worldwide wins: 10.Majors: US Open (2011), PGAChampionship (2012).Masters moment: Losing a four-shot leadwith an 80 in the final round of 2011.Forecaddie: Plenty of signs point to himreturning to the top of the game, it's justa matter of how soon. He's had a chancegoing into the final round at three of hisfour stroke-play events this year. Thatincludes the Honda Classic, where helost a two-shot lead and then lost in afour-man playoff. He showed in 2011 hisgame is suited for the Masters. Thiswould be the ideal place to announce hisreturn.DUSTIN JOHNSONAge: 29.Country: United States.World ranking: 10.Worldwide wins: 8.Majors: None.Masters moment: Made eagle on consec-utive holes (13-14) in the final round of2009 and still couldn't break par.Forecaddie: This is the one major he hasnot threatened to win, yet his talent issuch that he can't be ignored. He's onthe A-list of power players, his naturalshot is a draw, his short game is vastlyimproved and he has five straight finishesin the top 10 in PGA Tour events. Evenso, his best finish at Augusta is a tie for13th. He will be a contender one of theseyears. Maybe this one.ADAM SCOTTAge: 33.Country: Australia.World ranking: 2.Worldwide wins: 23.Majors: Masters (2013).Masters moment: Screaming "C'monAussie" after making a 20-foot birdie putton the 18th hole in regulation last yearthat got him into a playoff that he won.Forecaddie: He might be swinging theclub as well and as consistently as any-one in the game. The only thing keepingthe Australian from winning more is hisputting, which he showed at Bay Hillwhen he couldn't hold a seven-shot leadon the weekend. His last three appear-ances at Augusta ‚Äî tie for second, tie

for eighth and win. Don't be surprised ifhe leaves Augusta with the same greenjacket he brings with him.PHIL MICKELSONAge: 43.Country: United States.World ranking: 5.Worldwide wins: 45.Majors: Masters (2004, 2006, 2010),British Open (2013), PGA Championship(2005).Masters moment: "The leap" when heholed an 18-foot birdie putt in 2004 towin his first major.Forecaddie: Except for the one year hemissed the cut, Mickelson had his worstMasters ever last year. He still has threegreen jackets, and 14 top 10s in 21appearances. He is playing both weeks inTexas leading to the Masters, and whileLefty has had only one good week thisyear (in Abu Dhabi), he showed last yearat the British Open that he is capable ofbig surprises. Even if it's rarely a surpriseat Augusta.PATRICK REEDAge: 23.Country: United States.World ranking: 22.Worldwide wins: 3.Majors: None.Masters moment: Winning two titles atAugusta that would be NCAA titles atAugusta State. This is his first Masters.Forecaddie: It would be an injustice tohave Reed listed anywhere outside thetop 5. He said so himself after winning aWorld Golf Championship at Doral, histhird PGA Tour win in seven months, lead-ing to say he was among the top fiveplayers in the world. More amazing thathis pronouncement on television is thatReed has never played a major champi-onship. Lost in the hutzpah is that hisgame is capable of being top 5 in theworld.HENRIK STENSONAge: 38.Country: Sweden.World ranking: 3.Worldwide wins: 12.Majors: None.Masters moment: Attended the '99Masters with his wife, who played collegegolf at South Carolina. Took one look atJose Maria Olazabal and meant to placea bet on him, but he forgot. Olazabalwent on to win.Forecaddie: He was the best player in golfthe second half of last season and gotoff to a slow start this year. His 69-68

Please see CONTENDERS page 11Please see FIELD page 10

Most players walkingup the hill toward the17th fairway at

Augusta National can’t helpbut notice the famousEisenhower Tree: a loblollypine, far enough from the teeto be a nuisance, sprawling at65 feet and getting taller bythe year.

What got Stewart Cink’sattention was another treebehind it.

“Between 10 or 15 years ago,I noticed they planted a rathersubstantial new tree, about 20yards further away from theEisenhower Tree,” Cink said.“I think they were planning onthe Eisenhower tree being lostat some point, coming to theend of its life.”

This was the year it did.A miserable winter in the

South produced an ice stormso severe that the agingEisenhower Tree was damagedbeyond repair. As the Mastersprepares to kick off inAugusta, the biggest changemay be what’s no longer there.

In an announcement thatread like an obituar y, clubchairman Billy Payne said thetree could not be saved andwas removed.

“The loss of the EisenhowerTree is difficult news toaccept,” Payne said.

Worse yet, turns out thatother tree Cink noticed yearsago also fell victim to the icestorm and was taken down. Theclub has no immediate plans toreplace it. Such decisions arenot made hastily at AugustaNational. The brother of for-mer Masters champion TrevorImmelman posted a photo ofthe 17th without the tree, andthe hole was not easily identi-fied without the tree that gaveit such definition.

The tree got its name from acertain Augusta National mem-ber‚ former President DwightD. Eisenhower. He hit the treeso of ten that during an

Augusta National governors’meeting in 1956, Ike demandedthat the tree be cut downimmediately.

Clifford Roberts, the chair-man and co -founder of theclub, overruled the presidentand adjourned the meeting.Nearly 60 years later, Ike gothis wish.

To understand the loss of thetree, consider St. Andrewswithout the Road Hole bunkeror the TPC Sawgrass withoutthe island green. Fenway Parkwithout the Green Monster.

The 17th hole already wasperhaps the dullest hole on aback nine that is famous forproducing great theater atevery other turn. It has rankedas the 10th most difficult holeat Augusta over the years‚ mid-dle of the pack ‚ as a 440-yardpar 4 with an average score of4.15.

Of all the holes on the back,the 17th probably has thefewest stories to tell.

The biggest moments came in1986, when Jack Nicklaus hitpitching wedge into 12 feet,his final birdie in a closinground of 65 that brought him asixth green jacket at age 46.Not far behind him that day,Greg Norman hit a beautifulbump-and-run from under thetrees and just lef t of a bunkerto 12 feet for his fourthstraight birdie to tie for thelead. Just his luck, the Sharkhit his shot on the 18th intothe gallery and made bogey.

Gary Player stuffed a 9-ironinto a foot on the 17th thatsecured his second Masterstitle in 1974. Charl Schwartzelmade a 10-foot birdie that gavehim the outright lead in 2011,the year he birdied the lastfour holes to win the Masters.

The Eisenhower Tree was aproblem a generation ago,before equipment got betterand golfers started to resembleactual athletes.

“It was like George Brett at

third base for me,” CurtisStrange said. “It caught moreline drives from me than I’mallowed to admit.”

The tree was tall enough tomake a player think about histee shot, and it jutted farenough out from the left sidethat the best shots wereshaped from right-to -lef t. Inrecent years, the big hittersjust smashed a tee shot overthe tree.

Phil Mickelson never had aproblem with it. He was con-tacted in February, after thesad news that the tree hadcome down, and was asked ifhe wanted to comment. Hereplied with a text messageand a smiley-face emoticon,“Ask Jim Furyk.”

Furyk, whose ball flight tendsto be low and moves from left-to-right, handled the questionwith great diplomacy.

“It used to be not really a big

deal to pop it over when I firststarted playing,” Furyk said.“The tree was smaller, and thetee was a lot closer to it, so itwas a lot harder to hit. Now Iseem to hit that damn thing atleast twice a year. It’s a verydifficult tee shot for me. Sofrom the history of the game,I’ll miss it. But my game surewon’t miss it, put it that way.”

The tree managed to play arole in Tiger Woods’ injuries.It was a shot he had to playfrom under the Eisenhower in2011 that aggravated injuriesto his left Achilles’ tendon andcaused him to miss two majors.Woods won’t be back this yearto see the change because ofsurgery for a pinched nerve inhis back, but he spoke for plen-ty of players this spring.

“I can’t say some of the guysare going to miss it,” he said.“But we are going to see a dif-ference.”

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158515


Masters primed for a newcomer in a green jacketTHE ROOKIES

The ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fuzzy Zoeller has lost trackof how many interviewshe’s given before the

Masters, surprising for a guy whoplays a limited schedule on theChampions Tour and stopped com-peting at Augusta National fiveyears ago.

He doesn’t need to follow golf tofigure out what’s going on.

Jordan Spieth started his rookieseason without a card, finished atNo. 10 on the money list, becamethe youngest American to play inthe Presidents Cup and ended hisremarkable year at No. 22 in theworld. This will be his firstMasters. Patrick Reed won threetimes in seven months, including aWorld Golf Championship, and tolda national television audience hefelt he was among the top five inthe world. This will be his firstmajor.

They are joined by plenty of oth-ers, most of them in the top 50 inthe world, who until now have onlyseen the Masters outside the ropesor in front of a television.

And that’s why Zoeller’s phonekeeps ringing.

“I think I’ve done a hundredinterviews now,” Zoeller said witha laugh. “Hell, I don’t have anyanswers.”

There’s really only one question:Why has it been 35 years since aMasters rookie left town with agreen jacket?

That was Zoeller in 1979. Heleapt in the air when his birdieputt dropped on the second playoff

hole at No. 11 to join Gene Sarazen(1935) and inaugural winnerHorton Smith (1934) as the onlyplayers to win at Augusta on theirfirst attempt.

“All the talent that has gonethrough that marvelous place, it’skind of weird that it hasn’t hap-pened,” Zoeller said.

Dan Pohl almost did it threeyears later. He made up a six-shotdeficit on Craig Stadler, only tomiss a 6-foot par putt on the firstplayoff hole in 1982. John Hustonplayed in the final group in 1990 inhis Masters debut, two shotsbehind Raymond Floyd. NickFaldo beat Floyd in a playoff.Huston shot 75 and tied for third.

Most recently, Jason Day had ashare of the clubhouse lead withAdam Scott in 2011 until CharlSchwartzel birdied his last fourholes to win by two.

Is this the year? The odds havenever been so stacked.

Spieth and Reed are among 23players in the Masters for the firsttime, which accounts for nearly 25percent of the field. That includessix amateurs, as always. It alsoincludes 20 percent of the world’stop 50 players.

“I don’t think it’s out of the ques-tion to win,” said Spieth, who does-n’t turn 21 until July. “If my gamestacks up and I catch the rightbreaks, then sure. I don’t see whynot. I’ve been playing against theseguys for a year now, so I feel com-fortable.”

Harris English is getting as much

attention as anyone, and knows thecourse, maybe not the way it is forthe Masters, better than most rook-ies. He played college golf atGeorgia, so the Bulldogs playedAugusta National once a year.

English won a Web.com Tourevent when he was still in college.He has won twice since theMasters last year, at the St. JudeClassic and in Mexico at the end oflast year. The highest praise comesfrom other players, so it wasintriguing when Graeme McDowellwalked to the back of the 17thgreen at Bay Hill, nodded towardEnglish, raised his eyebrows andsaid, “This boy can play.”

The 24-year-old English dripswith Southern manners, pays duerespect to stars on tour and thensets a high standard for himself. Ithelped, no doubt, watching collegeteammates Russell Henley win inhis rookie debut on the PGA Tour,and Reed take on the world in win-ning a World Golf Championship atDoral.

“I don’t know if this group knowshow to win more,” English said ofhis fellow Masters rookies. “I don’tknow what it is. It just seems likeguys coming out of college aremore prepared. All these guysknow how to win and seem to notbe scared of the veterans.”

Of the 17 professional rookies, 11of them won on the PGA Tour lastyear. Among the exceptions wereVictor Dubuisson of France andStephen Gallacher of Scotland,who had two of the biggest wins on

the European Tour. Dubuisson wonhandily in the Turkish AirlinesOpen last year, where Tiger Woodsfinished third. Gallacher won theDubai Desert Classic, a tourna-ment that featured Woods andRory McIlroy, by making sevenbirdies and an eagle on the backnine Saturday to take the lead.

Woods, Jack Nicklaus and PhilMickelson all played for the firsttime as U.S. Amateur champions.Woods tied for 41st. Mickelsonopened with a 69 and tied for 46th.Nicklaus tied for 13th, and thentwo months later nearly won theU.S. Open as an amateur.

“I think the learning curve atAugusta is steep, always steep,”Justin Rose said. “I think the gen-eral rule is you make the cut thefirst time going to Augusta, that’s asuccessful performance. Certainlythat’s how it was framed in mymind in 2003.”

Times have changed.The most abrasive of the bunch is

Reed, a portly 23-year-old with agreat short game and no fear. Hebecame the youngest winner of aWorld Golf Championship, wearingblack pants and a red shirt whileplaying in the group behind Woods‚and saw no reason why he couldn’twin whatever he played.

“Whoever shows up at an eventnowadays has a chance to win,”Reed said. “Any week, it seemslike, whether it’s a veteran orwhether it’s a rookie, if they’replaying great golf they’re going towin the event.”

At Augusta, a familiar tree is goneThe ASSOCIATED PRESS

wide open at the moment.”In some respects, the land-

scape is not much differentfrom when Woods last missedthe Masters.

Twenty-one players have wonthe last 24 majors, with onlyMickelson, McIlroy and PadraigHarrington winning more thanone since 2008. Woods remainsNo. 1 in the world on thestrength of eight wins in thelast two years, though he has

won only one time in the last 11months as his body slowly hasstarted to break down.

Winning has never appearedto be more difficult ‚— foreveryone.

Through 20 tournaments onthe PGA Tour this season, theonly multiple winners areJimmy Walker (three times) andPatrick Reed (twice). Both willbe playing in the Masters forthe first time. The 23-year-oldReed, who wears a red shirtand black pants on Sunday as a

tribute to Woods, has neverplayed in any major.

In the last month alone,McIlroy and Masters championAdam Scott have lost leads inthe final round to players out-side the top 100 in the world,McIlroy to Russell Henley in aplayoff at the Honda Classic,Scott to Matt Every at Bay Hill.

As for Woods and Mickelson?Golf ’s biggest stars for the

last two decades, with sevenMasters between them, are win-less this year. Mickelson has a2-1 advantage over Woods in amost peculiar category: with-drawing in the middle of a tour-nament. He had to quit atTorrey Pines and San Antonio,both times with a back injury.

It’s almost as if golf is waitingfor a new star to emerge.

“You look at the winners ontour the last few months,”McIlroy said. “It’s been a dif-ferent guy each week. We’veseen players in the past likeTiger and Vijay (Singh) winningnine, 10 times a year. Haven’tseen much of that since. Youknow, it’s harder to win outhere. There’s so many moreguys that have chances to winevery time they tee it up.

“It would be nice to see some-one sort of break away,” hesaid. “I hope it’s me.”

McIlroy has assumed the roleas betting favorite now thatWoods is out of the Masters.Even at 24, he knows his wayaround Augusta National.Three years ago, Boy Wondertook a four-shot lead into thefinal round only to close with

an 80. He bounced back to winthe U.S. Open by eight shotsthat summer, and then added aneight-shot win at the PGAChampionship a year later. Andafter a troublesome year withnew equipment and off-coursedistractions, his game appearsto be back on track.

Scott and FedEx Cup champi-on Henrik Stenson both have achance at the Masters toreplace Woods at the top of theworld ranking. Neither has wona tournament this year. In fact,Jason Day is the only playerfrom the top seven in the worldto have won this year, and hehasn’t played in the six weekssince winning the Match PlayChampionship because of athumb injury.

It’s been a strange seasonheading into the first major.

When he was just starting outhis pro career, Scott played apractice round with Woodsbefore the 2000 U.S. Open atPebble Beach, which Woodswon by a record 15 shots. Scottput the notion of being No. 1out of his head. Now it’s differ-ent. Equipment is better.Players are better. What onceseemed unfathomable is nowwithin reach.

“There’s a different bench-mark that may not seem ashigh,” Scott said. “I think thedepth of talent, that talent poolis much bigger now. And I cansee maybe because that bench-mark doesn’t seem as high, a lotmore guys are working harderto get there. Because more guysthink they can.”

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158524


A look at some of the most memorable golf on the big screenON THE SCREEN

LIFE ON THE LINKSGOLF MOVIES

By STEVE SCHAEFERLake Oconee Breeze

Once again, the green, greengrass upon the fairway ofAugusta National Golf Club

beckons millions. Masters Week isupon us. Thoughts turn to suchthings as ace, birdie, slice, hook andeagle. Surprisingly, a bogie hasnothing to do with HumphreyBogart. To me that is blasphemy, butI try to see the world beyond books,films, and other performing arts.There is a game called golf, I under-stand, and I know this because theymake movies about the sport. I don’tplay golf personally; it is moreexpensive than going to the movies,if anything like that is possible. Icertainly don’t quite get the thrill ofthe game but I can try to under-stand it through the cinematic arts.

I shall refrain from rankingthem. I will just commend them tomy readers for consideration.

Since this column is written inhonor of The Masters, I suppose Ihave to start off with: � “Bobby Jones: Stroke of

Genius” (2003) Alas this is probablythe worst movie on my list, but it isabout Bobby Jones, founder of theAugusta National Golf Club. I hadno choice, right? It starred JimCaviezel (Jesus in Gibson’s “ThePassion of the Christ”) as BobbyJones. It is a dull biopic, whichshows our golf hero goes throughsome tribulations and then tri-umphs. The plot falls in the prover-bial biopic sand trap, too timid tomake Jones look like anything but agod with human issues. Using“Jesus” to play Jones (it was practi-cally back-to-back) was probably ill-advised. But it is about BobbyJones!

Perhaps the most famous “golfmovie” of all time (as of today) is,for good or for ill, “Caddyshack.”This may make more than a few put-ters snap, but sorry, that is wherethe ball falls and I have to play it. � “Caddyshack” (1980) is, of

course, an unabashedly sophomoricand crude comedy that brings intoplay the stereotype image that golfis for the elite wealthy class and notfor working stiffs. It ends with asnobs versus slobs tournament fea-turing Ted Knight (snob) andMichael O’Keefe (slob) with BillMurray and Rodney Dangerfieldand Chevy Chase. As you mightexpect, the snobs get their comeup-pance … and we can conclude that

golf appeals to more than elderlymen smoking Cubans who remaincontemptuous of those with unim-pressive portfolios.

And now for the rest in reversechronological order. � “The Greatest Game Ever

Played” (2005) is the same theme asCaddyshack but a period piece thatwould make Masterpiece Theaterfans swoon with ecstasy. No pottyjokes and no T&A, here, thank youvery much. Based on a true story,the battle (the 1913 U.S. Open) isbetween a British golf champion(Shia LaBeouf) who had used golf toescape poverty and a humbleAmerican who three years beforehad been a lowly caddy. This gameis credited in making golf popularin the United States. � “The Legend of Bagger Vance”

(2000) takes golf into a mysticalmetaphor and may not appeal to thepractical duffer. Robert Redforddirected Will Smith and MattDamon in this film about aSavannah golfer who during WWIwas traumatized and became analcoholic. Charlize Theron getsDamon to pull out his clubs again,and Will Smith becomes his caddyand Zen coach. Golf becomes a spir-itual journey in this movie and itmay be more of a sand trap than ahole-in-one, but it has some inter-esting moments. Jack Lemmon nar-rated the story, which makes itworth mentioning. � “Happy Gilmore” (1996) Like

“Caddyshack” this is a goofy come-dy that is liked by some and hatedby others. It is somewhat an AdamSandler cult film, which attracted aunique new audience to the game.This film is famous for Bob Barkerand Adam Sandler going at it. Itried to think of a way to use theterm Mulligan in this descriptionbut I just can’t make it work. As arule, Sandler doesn’t work for meand in this film, he failed to breakthe rule(s).� “Tin Cup” (1996) stars Kevin

Costner who is a golf pro has-beenand has ended up owning a doomeddriving range, which is just anexcuse to guzzle beer and swaptestosterone claptrap with his bud-dies. Then he meets a psychologist(Renee Russo) who just happens tobe his old rival’s ex-girlfriend.Kevin pulls out his putter and startsswinging.

� “The Caddy” (1953) JerryLewis, Dean Martin and DonnaReed. Golf legends Ben Hogan, SamSnead and Byron Nelson makecameos. Jerry Lewis is the golf pro,who hates crowds so he trains DeanMartin to become a pro. Need Iwrite more? However, it is Martinand Lewis in one of their best, or soI understand. Dean sings “That’sAmore” in this film. � “Pat and Mike” (1952)

Katherine Hepburn is the golfer inthis one and Spenser Tracy hercoach (sorta-kinda), and it wasdirected by George Cukor. It isloaded with cameos by pro golfers,and it is classic Tracy and Hepburn.The dialogue is the usual snappystuff from the legendary pair. � “Follow the Sun” (1951) Glenn

Ford plays this biopic of Ben

Hogan. Yes, it is sappy and hagio-graphic but it is the early ‘50sbefore sex and sordid reality wasinvented (or at least troubledheroes).

So there you have it, nine movies(wink, wink) about golf that a golfermight want to put on his or herNetfix list.

Anybody have spare tickets toThe Masters? Anybody?

Note: There are a few golfmovies I chose not to describe: “AGentleman’s Game” (2001), “Par 6”(2002), “Miracle on the 17th Green”(1999), “Dead Solid Perfect” (1988),“Seven Days in Utopia” (2011), “GolfPunks” (1998), “29 and Holding”(2004), “Caddyshack II” (1988),“Mulligan” (2000), “Who’s YourCaddy” (2007) and “Fairway toHeaven” (2007).

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weekend at Bay Hill to tie for fifth might beenough to nudge him in the right direction.But he has yet to finish in the top 10 at theMasters.SERGIO GARCIAAge: 34.Country: Spain.World ranking: 8.Worldwide wins: 22.Majors: None.Masters moment: Telling Spanish reportersafter the third round in 2012 that his gamewas not good enough to win a major.Forecaddie: Opened with a 66 last year toshare the first-round lead, so he is capablearound Augusta National. Garcia won theQatar Masters in Feburary, and he has notfinished out of the top 20 since lastAugust. He arguably is the most talentedplayer to have not won a major. The ques-tion is whether he really believes he is.JIMMY WALKERAge: 35.Country: United States.World ranking: 26.Worldwide wins: 3.Majors: None.Masters moment: Having an AugustaNational pin flag tucked into the trophywhen he won the Frys.com Open in Octoberto qualify for the Masters for the first time.Forecaddie: Along with Patrick Reed, athree-time PGA Tour winner making hisdebut at the Masters. Injuries kept Walkerfrom arriving sooner than he did, thoughthere is not a lot of weakness in his game.He's long and a very good putter. Considerhim one of the favorites from this strongrookie class to make a good first impres-sion.BUBBA WATSONAge: 35.Country: United States.World ranking: 12.Worldwide wins: 5.Majors: Masters (2012).Masters moment: That gap wedge hehooked out of the trees on the 10th hole ina playoff to beat Louis Oosthuizen.Forecaddie: Until he withdrew from Bay Hillwith allergies ‚Äî presumably he was allergicto shooting 83 ‚Äî his game was starting toround into the form. And when he's in form,Watson can hit shots no one else can. Hewon at Riviera at the end of the West CoastSwing, part of four straight tournamentsthat he was a serious contender.GRAEME MCDOWELLAge: 34.Country: Northern Ireland.World ranking: 14.

Worldwide wins: 12.Majors: US Open (2010).Masters moment: With Tiger Woods copingwith the implosion in his personal life in2009, McDowell took his spot in theChevron World Challenge and finished run-ner-up to earn enough ranking points to getinto the Masters the following year.Forecaddie: A winner three times last year,has been consistently high on the leader-board without being a serious threat to win.Will try to take zero expectations to theMasters to see if that helps his cause. Hehas made only two cuts in six appearances.His best hope is knowing that ZachJohnson, another player with only moderatelength, has a green jacket.JUSTIN ROSEAge: 33.Country: England.World ranking: 6.Worldwide wins: 12.Majors: US Open (2013).Masters moment: Having a two-shot leadgoing into the weekend in 2004 and post-ing an 81 in the third round.Forecaddie: What his victory at the U.S.Open proved is that Rose can performunder stifling pressure. He made par on thelast two holes at Merion with a 3-iron and4-iron, both nearly flawless. What he needsis a smidgen of confidence. His early yearhas been derailed by a shoulder injury. Theshoulder is fine, but he hasn't had the kindof results he would like heading to Augusta.JORDAN SPIETHAge: 20.Country: United States.World ranking: 13.Worldwide wins: 1.Majors: None.Masters moment: Playing Pine Valley andAugusta National during a two-day trip lastfall. Making Masters debut.Forecaddie: Spieth already has played in aPresidents Cup. He finished No. 7 in theFedEx Cup. He has won on the PGA Tourand lost in a playoff. He is among the top15 players in the world ranking. And put allthis in perspective, he was born a year afterFred Couples won the Masters. While hestill only has one PGA Tour win and hasbarely made a peep in the two majors hehas played, he has been in the mix justabout every tournament he has played thisyear. His patience will be tested at AugustaNational.IAN POULTERAge: 38.Country: England.World ranking: 19.Worldwide wins: 14.Majors: None.

Masters moment: Par or better all four daysin 2012, his only top-10 finish at AugustaNational.Forecaddie: He isn't very long. He isn'talways very straight. His iron play comesand goes. His short game is among thebest. He would need conditions and hisweek to go just right to be there on Sunday.Or just pretend this is the Ryder Cup.JASON DAYAge: 26.Country: Australia.World ranking: 4.Worldwide wins: 3.Majors: None.Masters moment: Making birdie on the18th hole to tie for second in 2011.Forecaddie: This had all the trappings of abig year, especially a big Masters, when hewon the Match Play Championship with acrisp performance. But it was only the sec-ond win of his career. As much as Dayshows up big in the majors, he doesn'thave as many titles as his talent would sug-gest. Even more troublesome are theinjuries, the latest being his thumb haskept him out of action for six weeks leadingto the Masters.JASON DUFNERAge: 37.Country: Unites States.World ranking: 16.Worldwide wins: 3.Majors: PGA Championship (2013).Masters moment: This is the only majorwhere he has never missed the cut. OK, heonly played in three Masters.Forecaddie: He hasn't come seriously closeto winning since the PGA Championshiplast year. And perhaps the weakest part ofhis game is his putting, which wouldn'tseem to be a good fit for Augusta National.But he does a great job of making it looksimple, and his unexcitable approach togolf and to life can go a long way.ERNIE ELSAge: 44.Country: South Africa.World ranking: 34.Worldwide wins: 65.Majors: US Open (1994, 1997), BritishOpen (2002, 2012).Masters moment: Being on the puttinggreen to prepare for a playoff when heheard the crowd react to Phil Mickelsonmaking birdie on the 18th to win in 2004.Forecaddie: This is the major that hauntsthe Big Easy. He showed up out of nowhere(and withheld from Adam Scott) to win the2012 British Open, and stranger thingshave happened. He would need at leastone more runner-up, or even a close call, toearn his place with Tom Weiskopf, Ken

Venturi, David Duval, Greg Norman and oth-ers who feel truly vexed by the Masters.MATT KUCHARAge: 35.Country: United States.World ranking: 11.Worldwide wins: 6.Majors: None.Masters moment: Tied for the lead withthree holes to play in 2012, then makingbogey on the 16th hole and tying for third.Forecaddie: For years, his best perform-ance at the Masters was as an amateur.That began changing two years ago with histie for third, and he went into the finalround last year just three shots out of thelead. There's no part of Kuchar's game thatis distinctly better than anyone else, he justdoes it all very well. And having beenthrough the heat of the final round, he'smore equipped than ever.VICTOR DUBUISSONAge: 23.Country: France.World ranking: 21.Worldwide wins: 1.Majors: None.Masters moment: Watching on television.Forecaddie: Of all the Masters rookiesamong the top 50 in the world, this is themost mysterious. He won in Turkey lastyear against a strong field that includedTiger Woods. And he is famous for the twoshots he hit out of the desert during thefinal of the Match Play Championship. He isplenty long. He makes clean contact. Heputts well enough. This could be a bigdebut or a short week, and probably noth-ing in between.HARRIS ENGLISHAge: 24.Country: United States.World ranking: 36.Worldwide wins: 2.Majors: None.Masters moment: The birdie on 16 in thefinal round in 2004. He wasn't playing. Hewas a freshman in high school in thegallery watching Phil Mickelson win his firstmajor.Forecaddie: When compliments start com-ing from other players ‚Äî Lee Westwood,Graeme McDowell ‚Äî it's worth nothing.English has won twice since June, and hehas a full arsenal of shots, starting with hispower off the tee. This is his Mastersdebut, but he played it once a year whileplaying college golf at Georgia.

CONTENDERS, from page 8

158547

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