Masters Needs New Exit Strategy

The Masters fans were voting with their feet. The minute Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker hit their tee shots on No. 10, hundreds of spectators pulled up stakes and headed for the exits. Some of them stopped to buy souvenirs on the way out, but most of them looked like they wanted to beat the traffic jam on Washington Road. They appeared to be long-time badge holders; most of them had green folding chairs slung over their shoulders.

Granted, Tiger Woods trailed Immelman by six strokes when the fans bolted. But is that the only reason people come to a major any more? To cheer for Tiger and Phil?

It reminded me of the time, some years ago, when I was following a certain Japanese touring pro in the final round of the Hawaiian Open. This fellow, who addressed his putts with the toe of his putter off the ground, missed a putt on the 17th hole that would have tied him for the lead with Jack Renner, who was signing his card in the scorer’s tent. But the 18th was a par 5, so a playoff was a real possibility – a playoff that would start on the 16th hole.

So as hundreds of us were following the final pairing to the 18th tee, two young guys with beers in their hands came walking the opposite way, against the tide. “You’re making a big mistake,” one of them yelled to a friend in the pack. “It’s all going to happen on sixteen!”

You can probably guess what came next. I was standing roughly twenty feet from Isao Aoki when he holed out his third shot for eagle to win the tournament. The two beer buddies, meanwhile, were standing under a palm tree by the sixteenth green. I’ve always wondered what they thought when they heard that incredible roar.

Of course, the dopes probably claimed later that they saw Aoki’s shot – just as those who split the Masters at five would have claimed that they had witnessed Tiger’s incredible comeback, if one had occurred.

Now if I were the Augusta National chairman, I might look at this differently. I might ask myself why badge holders are walking out before the leaders get to Amen Corner. I might question recent course changes that have turned the back nine into a joyless hike. I might remember when great players could make final-round charges with eagles and birdies – not stagger home with white-knuckle pars and bogeys. And I’d probably take steps to make certain that there’s a full house the next time history is made.

Oops, gotta go. Don’t want to miss the green jacket ceremony.

Comments

[roy dietz]

After two years of ho hum golf at the masters, i will rethink how i spend my time next year inre viewing my favorite tournament. I did pick up one a great venue for watching tho, it is masters.org on the computer. The camera shots and commentary were superior to the coverage being offered by the same CBS.I saw shots and angles i had never seen before, very enjoyable. Is there any chance the fans of other golfers will get to see their favorite golfers? I used to live in Milton FL, home of Boo, Bubba and Heath, How many other hometowns can boast of having three players in the Masters? "dont count orlando"

[Gerry J]

I was explaining the Masters to a non golfer last year and I told him it produces the most exciting finishes in golf.

Not any more.

Put the excitement back into the course.

[SD]

Bingo!!

You hit the nail right on the head. This is not your momma's Masters anymore and I want it back!They moved the tees up on Sunday so that there was was not total anhilation with the wind gusts on Sunday. They do not have to play Augusta at the length that they played it. The members can play this at the old yardage any time they want and bring even more players into contention. Remember the days when the only time one considered laying up on 13 and 15 was when they were either behind a tree or in the woods? The more one Tiger proofs a course, the more they limit anyone else having a chance unless that player putts the eyes out, which both Immelman and Johnson did. I want to see shot making not a putting contest. Good job in nailing the problem

[SD]

Bingo!!

You hit the nail right on the head. This is not your momma's Masters anymore and I want it back!They moved the tees up on Sunday so that there was was not total anhilation with the wind gusts on Sunday. They do not have to play Augusta at the length that they played it. The members can play this at the old yardage any time they want and bring even more players into contention. Remember the days when the only time one considered laying up on 13 and 15 was when they were either behind a tree or in the woods? The more one Tiger proofs a course, the more they limit anyone else having a chance unless that player putts the eyes out, which both Immelman and Johnson did. I want to see shot making not a putting contest. Good job in nailing the problem

[Jay Hermann]

Tiger still clumb up to second place in spite of a balky putter and errant drives. Take a look at Jack Nicklaus' record -- not only for wins but the number of times he came in second. Same pattern. CBS gave plenty of attention to all the players at the top of the leader board even to those who faded back to even par and plus one. It is a shame half the viewers tune out when Tiger isn't playing but then again it is those same fans that have grown golf to the billion dollar industry it is.

[Marty]

Not one picture of Trevor Immelman on the front page of Golf.com.Tiger, tiger, tiger.The fawning has eradicated good sportsmanship and for me, it is a big turn off. Tiger may have peaked, having spawned a new bunch of youngsters like Immelman who are not afraid to take him on, as has been the wimpish case with his own contemporaries and thoseolder.

[KEN WEBB]

It was good to see someone else, other than Tiger, win a major. Also enjoyable to see was the grass dripping from the announcer's lop sided jaw after he had kissed the ground where Tiger walked. Each of the announcers hang on his every move, every word and every swing of the club.
Also, the players do not give enough credit to the fans who buy the equipment so that their salary can be paid. Where is the thanks, guys?

[Todd]

I remember the chairman of the USGA saying years ago that par included 36 putts and that any pro that took that many to get around would be out of a job. Tiger putted badly and still averaged 30 putts a round. Par is only a relative measure. The course was tough and -8 still won. You want charges like the Watson-Nicklaus dual at the British Open when they beat the course and their nearest competitors by 10 shots? Then let them play better.

[Dale Tindall]

Well, it is nice to see a major in person. Your best view is on TV when you can see all of the shots. Amen corner is very awesome to see and experience, but when you hear a roar on holes 15 or 16, you have to wait for the scoreboard to be changed to know what happened. And I'm sure each of the back nine holes had no empty spaces.
The Masters is the best in golf. So it goes.

[3PuttBob]

I was at Augusta National on Wednesday and Tiger did not go out for a practice round, but he did come out to the putting green for a couple of hours.
I was close enough to him that I gave him a few tips on his putting stroke.
Guess it worked.
Ha ha.

[3PuttBob]

I was at Augusta National on Wednesday and Tiger did not go out for a practice round, but he did come out to the putting green for a couple of hours.
I was close enough to him that I gave him a few tips on his putting stroke.
Guess it worked.
Ha ha.

[ScoreNroar]

I'm an American...Give me OFFENSE !! I want birdies & eagles & lead changes every 90 seconds. Roar! Tiger's up Roar! Weir ties Roar! Phil Eagles 13 to take the lead. The Masters is huge in large part due to its' spot on the golfing calendar - the Beginning of the year! I want to see what's possible, the majesty & the conquering of the greens...not a reminder of what struggling for bogies is like. Give me roars & I'll give you ratings!!!

[Randy Sinn]

The Masters, like a number of courses have holes with great risk/reward opportunities. With the technology changes in clubs and balls it took away this uniqueness with the increase in distance players can hit the ball. The course has been changed to maintain the greatness of the design by Bobby Jones. I would think that people who go to the Masters are true golf fans so find it surprising they would leave early.

[David]

Everytime Tiger is a few strokes back of the top on the Final day...the announcers keep referring to "Tiger is charging"...or will we see that Tiger charge...

I just have one question. If he has NEVER won a Major from off the pace what the heck is this charge they keep referring to? This may apply to to other tourneys, but if it is a Major I dont see how this applies.

[Kevin Hayes]

I agree with a number of points:

(1) Folks should revel in the quality of play exhibited by Immelman, not bemoan the lack of Tiger in the winner's circle. Appreciate the fact that this guy beat the best in the world and move forward.

(2) For any major, it should be white-knuckle on Sunday and the ability to secure par should be a benchmark. Securing par shouldn't be looked at disdainfully.

(3) The media does fawn over Tiger. Does that point discount Tiger's stature or place in the game's history? Of course not. He's an amazing comet that we're blessed to be seeing in our lifetime. What this fawning does highlight is that the media sometimes minimizes that there are other supremely talented competitors out there.

(4) My last point: the game is better when Tiger is there competing on Sunday. It's not better when Tiger wins week in and week out.

[Charlie Long]

While I miss the back 9 excitement that was so associated with the Masters, I'm beginning to think the Augusta National folks have gotten it right. Par IS supposed to be the score an expert player makes on a hole - not a kick-in birdie or easy eagle. Todays players are so used to hitting wedges into every par 4 it seems they are ready to crap themselves when faced with a longer iron shot. It really brought it home for me watching the 1978 special before the last round and seeing Hubert Green whip a beautiful fairway wood onto the 15th green, bringing it in high and soft. Today's players are remarkably skilled... but it also seems that they just fold up when things get tough. Can you imagine Hogan hitting irons off the tee on the last hole at Carnoustie with the tourny on the line because he was shaking in his boots, like Garcia???

[KJ Shea]

I am so tired of reading comments of how they've made Augusta National too difficult and taken the roars and drama out of the event, especially the back nine on Sundays. By the way, the writers who keep pounding on this issue are the very same people who were saying a few yesrs ago that it was a shame Mickelson was hitting driver - sand wedge to the 11th hole, or how ridiculous it was for Tiger to hit driver - nine iron to the 15th for easy eagles or locked-up birdies. Eagles and birdies should be earned at any pro event, and even more so at majors. Augusta is no different. And I agree with the other comments about the inability to move around and see anything once the leaders reach the back nine of the final round -- at any major, not just the Masters. Plus, at many tournaments, Sunday afternoon at 4pm might find what appears to be as many over-served and mindless slobs roaming the course as true golf fans. I still remember the abhorent display of anti-Tiger rooting going on at the 1999 PGA at Medinah. I finally got fed up and said to my wife, "Let's just go home and watch the finish on TV. This isn't even enjoyable anymore." Of course, the many roaming bands of what appears to be displaced hockey fans would never last long at Augusta National, but the inability to clearly see any golf action once the final two or three groups move to the back nine becomes just as real an issue.

[Don Minshew]

No one can control the conditions that happened at the Masters. The players, for the most part, handled the swirling winds...but the effect on the greens was significant.

[Andy Amarillo]

This isn't unusual as many want to actually see the action on TV. It's kinda hard to find a spot to see anything on the back 9 if you aren't already there waiting for the leaders to come through. It's not like you can pick up your stuff from your spot watching the action come into 8 and just wander down to 12 and find another spot.

[DebChicago]

I wouldn't worry - the Masters is so hidebound (women as members? Gasp! The horror of it all!) that it doesn't matter that those who tune in and attend are only interested in Tiger and Phil. My golf buddies and I quit watching years ago.

[Celito Macachor]

No matter how we wish it could be, it's just impossible to expect Tiger to win every time he tees it up. But just how great is he? He did not have his A-game, and we all saw the frustration. When others are in the same funk, they miss cuts, or tumble way down the leader board. On his bad days, Tiger settles for second. Isn't that scary?

[Celito Macachor]

No matter how we wish it could be, it's just impossible to expect Tiger to win every time he tees it up. But just how great is he? He did not have his A-game, and we all saw the frustration. When others are in the same funk, they miss cuts, or tumble way down the leader board. On his bad days, Tiger settles for second. Isn't that scary?

[a kloeckner]

I agree with Mr. Garrity. The course set up at most majors over the past half dozen years has been a joke. In no other sport do they trick up the venue for their major events. Baseball doesn't extend the fences or shave the grass for the World Series. The NBA doesn't raise the basket for the finals. NASCAR doesn't put oil on the track for the Daytona 500. Why do the USGA and the Masters have to resort to trickery. I'd much rather see players scoring well to win an event vs. seeing which ones can best avoid the windmills and tunnels. Many of these courses are fine venues with great history. Let the players make history with their skill and don't make the tournaments a saga in disaster with the course set up. It's not as much fun to watch.

[Connie,]

Tiger is exciting to watch. It's not the media's fault that he is so popular. He guy has usually (not today) got a mojo which is unbelievable. His steely determination and his unflappability are amazing. Plus he is is so fluid and graceful. When I was a kid it was primarily Jack Nicklaus. That is what happens with the cream of the cream. I'm glad Trevor won. He was consistent and impressive but Tiger has given so many thrills over the last decade that he is irresistable.

[John Berry]

The back nine is a crap shoot anymore for even the best players. Tiger didn't have it and Trevor did. It sure wasn't boring and the jaded patrons who bailed early only contributed to the Washington Road traffic...but what's new about that?

[bob]

Congratulations Trevor,
Trevor, as Tiger said, you played well. I watched to see Tiger as did millions of others. There are not millions of people who care to watch another "one and done"...I hope Trevor can keep it up....As unTiger like as he played he bested all but one, including many with a hot hand just a week or two ago....
Don't complain about the sports people who talk about Tiger, we won't listen if they didn't..we wouldn't watch if they didn't focus on him....whether it takes 6 more tournaments or 6 or 16 more years, should he continue to play he'll have all the meaningful records,maybe even 2nd place finishes....God Bless you and yours Tiger...

[Tom Haxby]

My dad and I split early at the US Open at Oakmont last year. There is no way to really see the action up close with that many people, and as the matches routinely last past dinner who wants to wait. In Pittsburgh we got a front row seat at a sports bar and watched the last 2 US Open holes while we had a good dinner - beat the traffic too.

[Robert Lockwood Mills]

It isn't Tiger Woods' fault, but a lot of people think major tournaments are about him and nobody else. The worst offenders are the sports media, who pretend he's invincible and ignore other outstanding players.

The headline in the St. Petersburg Times this morning was about Woods, even though he was six strokes behind the leader, Trevor Immelman. It's enough to make anyone to root for the field against Tiger Woods, if only to prove the dumb sports writers wrong.