In commanding fashion, Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters. This was his second win in three years and the fifth youngest player to win the Masters twice. There was no surprise as Scheffler lived up to his world number one ranking with long straight drives, precision irons and strong putting. Scheffler took a strong lead after Amen Corner and never looking back as he recorded a smooth 68. He earned his second green jacket!
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The 2024 Masters – Hold On For Dear Life Day
Traditionally, Saturday at any golf tournament is considered moving day. This year, I would call it ‘hold on for dear life day’! With two 68s making the lowest scores of the day, the lone 69 by Colin Morikawa had the greatest impact on the leaderboard. The leaders prior to the start of round three hoped to put some distance between them and the field, but alas, they were holding on for dear life for most of the round. It was a typical day at the Masters where Augusta National was the deciding factor on how well the field played.
Continue readingThe 2024 Masters – Day 2 Thoughts
What can be said about the second day at the Masters? It was a crazy windy and reeked havoc on all the players. Everyone to a tee said that the conditions were horrific and took all their skill to carve out any possible gains. With only 6 players breaking par during the second round (compared to 28 on the first day) this tells a story all on its own. Of course the wind was the main cause for all the players challenges on day 2, but it was not the only thing that had the field scratching their heads.
Continue readingThe 2024 Masters – Day 1 Thoughts
The 2024 Masters commenced yesterday with the traditional tee off by the honorary starters. This year Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson showed that golf can be a timeless sport for athletes of all ages. It is fun to watch these living legends hit a ball off the first tee.
After a rain delay, the action started. There were many great scores considering the windy and wet conditions. It is not difficult to understand that Augusta National is playing differently because of the weather, which in turn forces the players to adjust a bit to be successful. Rory McIlroy explains it best:
The first round is not finished due to the early weather delay. Thirty percent (30%) of the field still needs to finish this morning. Some are near the top of the leaderboard, so the final standings for round one are yet to be determined. I will add, that Bryson Dechambeau’s -7 round was a great start. Scottie Scheffler is one stroke back and some pundits are marveling at their start. I would like to remind the readers that three players started with -7 last year and one (Jon Rahm) did go on to win his first green jacket. There is still plenty of golf left and it is way to early to think the players currently at the top of the leaderboard will be there on Sunday afternoon.
Today’s big influence will be the wind. It is forecasted to gust between 20 and 26 mph (34 and 42 kph). This is a fairly strong wind at any time, but for a Major and at Augusta National, this type of wind will reek all kinds of havoc for the players. I am thinking Tiger Woods stinger shot might come in handy today.
There is plenty of golf still left to play at this year’s Masters. It is too early to suggest who a clear winner will be until after the field is set for the weekend. Of course moving day will set the stage for Sunday, but I am getting way ahead of myself. For now, I am going to enjoy the action and keep cheering on my picks for this year.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
My 2024 Masters Predictions
For years I tried to predict the winner of the a Major. The Masters is one of the most challenging because if never seem to get it right. I have been close a few times and actually named a winner, but overall success is limited. Well, that does not discourage me from trying. Besides, if I am correct this year, imagine the bragging rights I will have….right? The 2024 Masters is starting soon and I thought I would drop my picks just before the Honorary Starters (Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson) hit the first ball.
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The Grateful Golfer 