Fitness Testimony
Many golfers used Tuesday’s practice round to sharpen their game for the start of the Masters. But for three-time Masters champion Gary Player, it was another testament to his everlasting fitness and positive attitude.
“I feel great,” the 72-year-old Player said after climbing the incline of the 18th hole and finishing his practice round.
“I’m fit as a fiddle and so excited to be here.”
Player will break the Tournament participation record with his 51st appearance when he tees off at 8:44 a.m. Thursday with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and American D.J. Trahan.
He said the success of four-time Champion Tiger Woods continues to inspire him to not to stop playing at the Masters any time soon.
“I’m just so happy that Tiger has been successful choosing the same path I also followed of looking fit, working out, speaking well, and looking sharp,” said the South African. “I am his biggest fan and he is an inspiration to me.”
Gentleman Business Golfer
U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Trip Kuehne waited 13 years between Masters appearances, but the long-time amateur had to wait a little longer to practice, for reasons no other golfer faced.
Kuehne had to cut his Monday afternoon practice round short at nine holes to attend a business conference at Reynolds Plantation, two hours west of Augusta, for his Dallas-based financial company.
“I had to do some business before I got back to golf,” Kuehne said.
He added his brother Hank, a former Masters participant and U.S. Amateur Champion, would be at the Tournament Wednesday.
Faldo’s Fate
Three-time champion Nick Faldo said he could see himself matching Tiger Woods shot for shot on-course during their respectively primes, but he could never come close to Woods in handling all the outside pressure and requests.
“If I could have disappeared after every major and then reappeared at the next major, I would have been OK,” said Faldo, now a television analyst.
“I could never deal with all the hustle and bustle off the course like Tiger. He is the only one who can handle the media and handle all the outside requests. That is really remarkable.”
The current golf analyst for CBS said even with his annual visits to Augusta National, he never misses his playing days.
“No, not once, ever,” said the Englishman. “I’m fortunate I enjoy what I do and don’t miss it (playing) at all.”
Hole in One
First time Masters invitee Anders Romero employed a bit of 18th hole accuracy, he said he wouldn’t mind saving until the Tournament begins on Thursday.
Romero, who qualified by winning the 2008 Zurich Classic in New Orleans, landed his approach shot at the 18th hole in a Patron’s plastic cup resting behind the green.
He walked up to inspect the liquid covered ball, told the Patron to keep it as a souvenir, and even took a picture with the surprised Patron.
He dropped a ball next to the plastic cup and chipped to within five feet of the cup.
Faces in the crowd
Faces in the crowd included past Masters champions Bob Goalby and Billy Casper who were in town for the Tuesday nights Champions Dinner hosted by Zach Johnson. Johnson’s menu included Midwestern beef and Florida shrimp for his Iowa upbringing and his current Florida residence.
