There is no correct way to celebrate a great golf shot. The definition of a great shot is unique as the celebration itself. I am not sure about you, but my level of celebration is directly correlated to how great the shot actually was and where the celebration takes place. Make no mistake, I do celebrate or at least acknowledge a great shot almost every time.
Continue readingMiguel Angel Jimenez
The Masters – Moving Day
Day three at the Masters could not have been better. The leader Bubba Watson moved backward and the most of the field moved forward. As a result, the field is close and about 15 players have a chance to win the first Major of 2014. There are many highlights to moving day and the golfing world is abuzz with excitement. This hype is normal for most Masters Tournaments and as a result, there will be some who will have a tough time sleeping tonight!
The two players of day 3 that caught my eye are Jordan Spieth and Miguel Angel Jimenez! Both these players have provided some exciting golf and have set the media circus on fire with back peddling and speculation. It is amazing to see how quickly the tides change and the pundits change their spots. Regardless, these two players have differing approaches to the final round of the Masters which makes it even more interesting.
Here are a couple Tweets that sum up my thoughts.
Jordan Spieth will likely be up most of the night nervous as he zeros in on his first green jacket. This response is totally understandable. His meteoric rise in the golfing world was not unexpected, but a bit of surprise. The golfing experts realized early that Jordan Spieth would be a force on Tour, but not this quick. After turning pro in 2012, very few would have predicted that just two years later he would be ranked 13th in the world and the leader after 54 holes at the Masters. He is a great player and has a great future. However, for tomorrow, his nerves will be like the video below!
Miguel Angel Jimenez will be a different case. He is a cigar smoking, fun-loving professional who is beloved by the average fan. At 50 years of age, his golfing career later in life is better than when he turned pro in 1982. This Spaniard has 23 wins world-wide and never seems to change his demeanor regardless of the tournament! He has the ability to shoot another low round and being only 2 strokes back makes the final day of the Masters more interesting. Of all the players in the last three groups, he has the most to gain and the least to lose!
Regardless, the final day of the Masters is going to be exciting. The player wearing the green jacket will be the one who steps up and takes it.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Masters – Day Two
Say goodbye to many of the favourites! The second day of the Masters was crazy. The veterans struggled and the rookies shined. Talk about a role reversal for many of the active players. This is great for the Masters and golf in general. It will allow some younger players to make their mark and share the headlines with the stalwart favourites!
However, this is not the real headline for Day Two of the Masters. The actual headline is “the aging veterans bare their teeth”; great players from the past who always seem to shine during the big tournaments. Given their age, the were paid lip service as to their chances of winning let alone making the cut, yet here they are….in the running for another green jacket.
These timeless gladiators always play well at the right times, but who are they:
Fred Couples – 54 years old, 1992 Masters Champion. With his silky smooth swing and gentlemen persona has been a fan favourite forever. Currently tied for 7th place, he has a great chance to make a run on moving day!
Vijay Singh – 51 years old, 2000 Masters Champion. His struggles of late have not affected his performance at this Major. Winning eight tournaments in 2004, he is a proven champion and has the ability to shoot low. He is currently sitting tied for 26th.
Larry Mize – 55 years old, 1987 Masters Champion. Mize was not a big name in golf when he played. He was a journeyman player who occasionally rose to the top of the pack. Regardless, as a past champion, he is playing well and tied for 26th.
Bernhard Langer – 56 years old, 2-time Masters Champion (1985, 1993). Langer has been at the top of golf for a long time. His timeless swing, cool composure and fierce competitive spirit have enabled him to stay competitive through the years. He is a fan favourite and tied for 26th.
Miguel Angel Jimenez – 50 years old, 42 professional wins. Never a Major Champion, Jimenez earned his way to the Masters through solid play over the past year. His cigar smoking, devil-may-care attitude enamours him with the crowd. Currently sitting tied for 46th, it is unlikely he will win, but the fans will be the big winners watching him play.
Sandy Lyle – 56 years old, 1985 Masters Champion. This Scotsman was a journeyman player. He represented the European team five times on the Ryder cup with two wins. He currently is tied for 46th.
These six are part of the elusive half-century club. There were all great players and continue to demonstrate that playing golf at an elite level is not limited to younger players. The 2014 Masters does not have the drama for 2013, but definitely has the excitement!
The golfing world would be turned upside down if one of these were to player win the first Major of 2014. It would be interesting to see the media spin on how an aging veteran topped of the golfing world. What do you think?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 