US Masters

My earliest memory of watching golf was the US Masters. Late into Sunday night we sat glued to grainy pictures of Nick Faldo holing a putt across the green in the dark to triumph against Scott Hoch.

A golden time where the coverage of Augusta was restricted to a couple of hours on BBC2 from 9pm. The front 9 was rarely seen, less was more and we felt privileged to get a brief view of this golfing wonderland.

A year later and Ray Floyd’s ball dropped into the water on 11 to give Faldo a second jacket. The first player since Jack Nicklaus to record back-to-back wins.

Thanks to Sandy and Nick the door for European winners was opened and Woosnam, then Langer and Olazabal all took their turn to walk through. After Sandy’s win in 1988 a European would be invited to the Butler Cabin for 7 out of the next 10 years.

Tiger arrived in ’97 to win by distance. Sky TV changed how we watched golf. Augusta slowly revealed more of it’s secrets, but masterfully retained the ingredients that make it the best major of the year.

Many will argue that the Opens either side of the Atlantic are the number 1 major, but not for me. Only one course can host a major every year and still have us gripped by play on the holes we know so well.

Then there’s the history of the event, dating back to 1934, Horton Smith winning the inaugural event. Followed by Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson. Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Seve.

The field this year will see a number of players who have been accused of sacrificing the history of the game for money. The 2023 event has an extra dimension and it will be interesting to see how this new rivalry plays out. Early coverage suggests the LIV guys are a bit out of shape so it will be interesting to see if the 54 hole men still compete in a field of the best players in the world?

That’s not to say a Saudi-fuelled 8 figure cheque isn’t tempting, but for most of us golf is built on tradition and history so there’s little affinity with the LIV version of our game. Whilst it’s good to see all the top players back together the majority of those watching will be hoping a regular Tour player is slipping on a green jacket Sunday night.

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Whatever your thoughts on golf’s new landscape one thing about The Masters that doesn’t change is it kicks off the season for all of us. Spring is our time of year.

After the lights go out at Augusta we’ve got a whole new season ahead. Sunny days, long evenings, many laughs and the odd moment that emulates the guys at Augusta this week.