AUGUSTA DIARY: A Masters miscellany
ALVARO Quiros – who leads the European Tour’s driving distance with an average of 314.8 yards – is aware that he is very much a different breed to one-time Masters maestro Seve Ballesteros.
“I heard that Seve used to say that closest to the green is better . . . in my case, close to the green is not the best thing because I don’t have his hands. He had an artist’s hands, I’m more of a bricklayer. That is why I hit the ball long. I am not as skilful,” said Quiros, who begins laying the blocks towards his quest for a first Major when he accompanies Jhonattan Vegas and Gary Woodland in the last group off the tee in tomorrow’s first round.
WANTto smell the azaleas and add your voice to the roars around Amen Corner? In an attempt to make one of the most prized – and elusive – tickets to any sporting event somewhat accessible to global golf fans, Augusta National has made the unprecedented move of opening up applications for daily tournament tickets to next year's US Masters. Applications must be submitted by the June 30th closing date through www.masters.com
Lucky 99: Rory's out to put a flake in it this time around
AN omen, perhaps? Rory McIlroy – who took a new approach to preparing for the Masters by basing himself in an exclusive golfing resort in Florida for the past week – was the last player to register for the tournament when he rolled down Magnolia Lane in a Mercedes with a number of his friends yesterday.
"Being the last (to register) means I have badge No 099 . . . . it's a good number, and maybe a good omen. You know, last to register and last to leave on Sunday night. Well, hopefully," said McIlroy, who hasn't played competitively for three weeks since his top-10 finish in the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Doral. He did, however, make a flying visit to Augusta last week to get reacquainted with the course.
McIlroy, who missed the cut here last year when he was hindered by a back injury, added: "I've come here feeling great. I got in 10 really good days of practice down in Florida and had a couple of good days' work here last week."
In an attempt to soak in the whole Augusta experience, McIlroy has been watching a number of videos – including Tiger Woods' master-class in 1997 and Phil Mickelson's win from a year ago – and believes he has ticked all the boxes. "I am trying to treat this week like any Major championship. It is the Masters and it is very special and it is Augusta. But, at the same time, you are here to try and win . . . this year, I feel as though I have paced myself very well. I feel very fresh and I'm ready to get out there and give it a big go."
MICKELSON'S A MOUTHFUL
LAST night's Champions Dinner – with the menu set by Phil Mickelson – had something of a Spanish theme. Those past champions present were offered gazpacho for starters followed by seafood paella and a main course of beef tenderloin, asparagus and "Tortilla Espanola". For dessert, Lefty chose a selection of Spanish apple pie, vanilla ice cream and chocolate cinnamon Ganache.
Hi jinx: Louis just kidding
THE jinx is one that has stood the test of time – anyone who has won the pre-tournament Par 3 competition at Augusta has come up short in the real thing.
British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has come up with a novel way to ensure he isn't cursed with the chance to break that hoodoo.
"I don't believe in things like that," he said of the supposed jinx, "but my little girl (Jana) is going to walk with me, so I'll probably try and get her to kick the ball (away) or something so that my score doesn't count."
