Yesterday's Masters was full of sweet endings. Once Dustin Johnson hit over the water on 15, the Masters was largely over, and DJ finished the job with the stoicism and chill that we have all associated with him. I loved the hugs and tears with his brother and Paulina, but to me, the best part was his interview with Amanda Balionis. Sure, DJ may have felt a sense of validation after his other major heartbreaks, but when Balionis … [Read more...]
Before you play golf again, I have a little question for you: Why? (The question works for non-golfers too)
The day after the Masters is traditionally a day of renewal for golfers.If not for the coronavirus, we would be rehashing another Sunday thrill-ride at Augusta National.Last year, we were caught up in the afterglow of one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports when Tiger Woods inexplicably won the Masters for his 15th major after it appeared that his battered body and soul were incapable of more.Having watched a good portion of … [Read more...]
Pugnacious Patrick Reed’s ‘just go play golf’ approach earned him a green jacket
Despite his this-is-serious-stuff demeanour and pugnacious personality, Patrick Reed was swinging with rhythm and grace during Sunday’s final round of the Masters. Rory McIlroy looked tight, tense and that he was trying hard—the bounce in his step that telegraphs when he’s feeling good became more of a trudge as the afternoon wore on. It’s my sense the enormity of winning the career Grand Slam, never mind the pressure of winning a Masters, is … [Read more...]
What do you really want from your golf this season?
For golfers, this is that most wonderful time of the year. We’re enchanted by azaleas, a dangerously beautiful junction known as Amen Corner, and our own favourite Masters moments. And this year is even more special with the return of Tiger Woods, and great story lines around Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Tony Finau. And after a long winter, the Masters also signifies the start of the golf season for most of us in North America. So, … [Read more...]
Ernie Els didn’t fail, he prevailed
I couldn’t watch it. A tweet showed up yesterday afternoon declaring that Ernie Els had seven-putted (later downgraded to six putts) the first hole at Augusta National. I re-tweeted it but I would not watch the video. I felt so bad for him. (The Golf Channel replayed it like CNN constantly replays videos of disasters caused by hurricanes and bombs, so I eventually saw it.) It was a yipper’s disaster. The nightmare realized. The South … [Read more...]