Trio Recalls Masters Triumphs
Monday, March 31, 2008
By Art Stricklin
Every January in the back of his mind, like a golfing internal clock, Canada’s Mike Weir knows it’s time to get back into a Masters frame of mind.
The only Masters champion ever from north of the U.S. Border said he can hardly believe it’s been five years since he claimed his prized Green Jacket in a dramatic 2003 playoff with Len Mattiace.
“It’s always in the back on my mind that the Masters is upcoming, and it’s always exciting to know you need to be ready for another Tournament,” he said.
For Sandy Lyle, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his one-shot win over Mark Calcavecchia, the feeling returns when he mounts the wooden steps to the Champions locker room at the Augusta National Clubhouse.
“I think (players) would give their right arm to be walking up those stairs … and be with the same sort of guys, whether it be Tiger Woods or (Phil) Mickelson.”
Mark O’Meara, a Masters champion a decade ago in 1998 by a shot over David Duval and Fred Couples, gets the Masters feeling a thousand of miles away while practicing in the California desert.
“It’s the greatest major of them all,” O’Meara said. “To know I can always come back to Augusta National is a great feeling. It’s like a real home to me.”
The three past champions are enjoying the special spotlight which goes with the anniversaries of their Augusta victories, but said they maintain their Masters champions’ pride every year.
Weir earned his lifetime invitation with his 2003 win and said he feels he’s finally rounding back into his Masters-title form as the 2008 Tournament approaches.
“I played great in 2004 after I won the Masters, but then it was a struggle for a while,” Weir said
From his victory at the Los Angeles Open at Riviera in ’04, Weir went three years without a PGA Tour win before finally breaking through with a victory in a 2007.
“It was such a great end to (last) season, I feel like I’m carrying the momentum to the Masters.”
The payoff to a lifetime of working in chilly conditions, and the title of Canada’s greatest professional golfer awaited Weir when he captured his Masters victory on the first playoff hole on a Sunday afternoon at August National Golf Club.
“I used to go practice in the cold or the snow back home and would always say,
‘this putt is for the Masters title’ and it finally happened.”
Weir said he doesn’t need a DVD or video tape to remind him of his major victory, he still recalls every shot in his mind five years later.
“You’ve got to be putting great to win the Masters, and I putted great that week,” he recalled.
An outpouring of his nation’s love awaited following his victory, including a late night congratulatory phone call from the Canadian Prime Minister, a lavish victory party and an appearance at a Canadian NHL playoff game to drop the first puck as the guest of honor.
“It was a special time and one I still remember. I still look forward to every time I come to Augusta and look forward to another chance to win.”
Lyle, who made his Champions Tour debut two weeks before this year’s Masters, produced one of the most dramatic 18th hole shots to gain his victory.
Needing a par on No. 18 to stay in a potential playoff and a birdie to win outright, Lyle knocked his tee shot in a fairway bunker.
“It looked bit grim for a while,” he said.
But Lyle pulled off the sand recovery shot of his career. He lofted his next shot, a 7-iron onto the green, 10 feet away for his birdie, and made the putt to clinch the win.
Then it was only the second time a final birdie on 18 had won the Masters, and the first time in nearly 30 years.
“That’s a memory for me that will always stick, also for the people who watched at the time, even in Britain, at sort of 1 a.m. in the morning.”
Lyle said after his Champions Tour debut, it’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since he claimed his Masters victory.
“It’s gone very, very quick. To win the Masters, it brings the hair up on the back of your neck when you think about it and wearing the green blazer.
“At the age of 50 now, my chances are a bit thin. It’s a long, long track for the oldies, but I’m looking forward to it.”
While Lyle achieved his Masters history by making birdie on the last hole, O’Meara did the even more improbable with birdies on both 17 and 18 for his victory.
“I take a tremendous amount of pride in the way I won,” he said. “I birdied 15, almost birdied 16 and birdied 17 and 18.”
O’Meara faced a 20-foot birdie putt on 18 and went through a vast range of emotions.
“About 4 feet to the cup, I thought, ‘oh my gosh this is going to go in’, then I thought, ‘please don’t lip out.’”
The putt curled into the hole to give O’Meara barely enough time to shoot both arms straight toward the Georgia sky.
After signing his scorecard, O’Meara said he had even a more special treat waiting on him; his good friend and defending champion, Tiger Woods.
“Tiger was so excited for me. He hugged me in Butler Cabin, and I’ll always remember that.”
All three past champions are looking forward to teeing it up again this year, each with varying thoughts or hopes of a 2008 victory.
Each secure in the knowledge that their Masters memories will always include a win and a lifetime invitation to return and relive their special day each April.
The only Masters champion ever from north of the U.S. Border said he can hardly believe it’s been five years since he claimed his prized Green Jacket in a dramatic 2003 playoff with Len Mattiace.
“It’s always in the back on my mind that the Masters is upcoming, and it’s always exciting to know you need to be ready for another Tournament,” he said.
For Sandy Lyle, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his one-shot win over Mark Calcavecchia, the feeling returns when he mounts the wooden steps to the Champions locker room at the Augusta National Clubhouse.
“I think (players) would give their right arm to be walking up those stairs … and be with the same sort of guys, whether it be Tiger Woods or (Phil) Mickelson.”
Mark O’Meara, a Masters champion a decade ago in 1998 by a shot over David Duval and Fred Couples, gets the Masters feeling a thousand of miles away while practicing in the California desert.
“It’s the greatest major of them all,” O’Meara said. “To know I can always come back to Augusta National is a great feeling. It’s like a real home to me.”
The three past champions are enjoying the special spotlight which goes with the anniversaries of their Augusta victories, but said they maintain their Masters champions’ pride every year.
Weir earned his lifetime invitation with his 2003 win and said he feels he’s finally rounding back into his Masters-title form as the 2008 Tournament approaches.
“I played great in 2004 after I won the Masters, but then it was a struggle for a while,” Weir said
From his victory at the Los Angeles Open at Riviera in ’04, Weir went three years without a PGA Tour win before finally breaking through with a victory in a 2007.
“It was such a great end to (last) season, I feel like I’m carrying the momentum to the Masters.”
The payoff to a lifetime of working in chilly conditions, and the title of Canada’s greatest professional golfer awaited Weir when he captured his Masters victory on the first playoff hole on a Sunday afternoon at August National Golf Club.
“I used to go practice in the cold or the snow back home and would always say,
‘this putt is for the Masters title’ and it finally happened.”
Weir said he doesn’t need a DVD or video tape to remind him of his major victory, he still recalls every shot in his mind five years later.
“You’ve got to be putting great to win the Masters, and I putted great that week,” he recalled.
An outpouring of his nation’s love awaited following his victory, including a late night congratulatory phone call from the Canadian Prime Minister, a lavish victory party and an appearance at a Canadian NHL playoff game to drop the first puck as the guest of honor.
“It was a special time and one I still remember. I still look forward to every time I come to Augusta and look forward to another chance to win.”
Lyle, who made his Champions Tour debut two weeks before this year’s Masters, produced one of the most dramatic 18th hole shots to gain his victory.
Needing a par on No. 18 to stay in a potential playoff and a birdie to win outright, Lyle knocked his tee shot in a fairway bunker.
“It looked bit grim for a while,” he said.
But Lyle pulled off the sand recovery shot of his career. He lofted his next shot, a 7-iron onto the green, 10 feet away for his birdie, and made the putt to clinch the win.
Then it was only the second time a final birdie on 18 had won the Masters, and the first time in nearly 30 years.
“That’s a memory for me that will always stick, also for the people who watched at the time, even in Britain, at sort of 1 a.m. in the morning.”
Lyle said after his Champions Tour debut, it’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since he claimed his Masters victory.
“It’s gone very, very quick. To win the Masters, it brings the hair up on the back of your neck when you think about it and wearing the green blazer.
“At the age of 50 now, my chances are a bit thin. It’s a long, long track for the oldies, but I’m looking forward to it.”
While Lyle achieved his Masters history by making birdie on the last hole, O’Meara did the even more improbable with birdies on both 17 and 18 for his victory.
“I take a tremendous amount of pride in the way I won,” he said. “I birdied 15, almost birdied 16 and birdied 17 and 18.”
O’Meara faced a 20-foot birdie putt on 18 and went through a vast range of emotions.
“About 4 feet to the cup, I thought, ‘oh my gosh this is going to go in’, then I thought, ‘please don’t lip out.’”
The putt curled into the hole to give O’Meara barely enough time to shoot both arms straight toward the Georgia sky.
After signing his scorecard, O’Meara said he had even a more special treat waiting on him; his good friend and defending champion, Tiger Woods.
“Tiger was so excited for me. He hugged me in Butler Cabin, and I’ll always remember that.”
All three past champions are looking forward to teeing it up again this year, each with varying thoughts or hopes of a 2008 victory.
Each secure in the knowledge that their Masters memories will always include a win and a lifetime invitation to return and relive their special day each April.
