Masters notebook
Web posted
Saturday, April 9, 2005
Then an elderly man, walking with two canes, slowly made his way to the chair behind the tee box. Patrons recognized two-time Masters champion Byron Nelson as he made his way to his traditional spot at Augusta National Golf Club.
Thomas Levet walked over and shook hands with the 93-year-old Nelson, who was wearing a cream-colored hat and an olive green jacket. Levet's caddie, Owen Craig, followed suit, along with Raymond Floyd. Stephen Ames didn't shake hands with Nelson, but he acknowledged him after hitting his tee ball.
PLAYER STILL PLAYING: When Gary Player teed off Thursday, the 69-year-old became the oldest international player in Masters history. It is the South African's 48th Masters. Player won the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
PAYING RESPECTS: As he hurriedly walked away, Mark O'Meara stopped when he spotted Steve Nicklaus just outside the clubhouse. O'Meara, the 1998 Masters champion, gave his sympathy to Nicklaus, whose son, Jake, died last month in an accident at the family's home.
COODY GOING FOR 40: Charles Coody, the 1971 Masters champ, plans to play one more year at Augusta National to get an even 40 appearances.
Coody, 67, shot 88 in his opening round Thurs- day and 39 for nine holes Friday. He shot 88 in his first round last year as well and shot 79 the next day.
Coody kept his sense of humor despite his play Thursday. When asked whether he would try to catch Arnold Palmer, who played in 50 Masters, he gave a playful answer.
"I don't deserve as many as Arnold," he said. "I don't feel like I played as bad as an 88. I don't think I played well, but I was better than that.
He said the 2005 tournament would have been his last had he not missed a Masters earlier in his career. An injury forced him to sit out in 1992.
PERCHED IN THE CROW'S NEST: Amateur Luke List, the tournament's youngest competitor, spent most of his rain delay in the Crow's Nest, the living quarters above the clubhouse reserved for amateurs. List said he took a nap and watched an old McDonald's All-American basketball game to pass some time.
RANGE LOGJAM: Golfers jockeyed for position at the Augusta National driving range around 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, a familiar sight on the professional golf circuit this year.
With all the stops and starts this year - weather has delayed nine of 15 events - golfers often must return to the range several times a day to warm up. Logjams often result.
"We're getting used to swinging up right now with everybody being about 3 feet apart on the range to cram in and find a spot," Stuart Appleby said. "It's a bit of a fight definitely."
TRIPLETT STARTS HOT: Kirk Triplett got off to a blazing start in the second round, shooting 3-under par through the first four holes to get him to even par. He carded 3-over-par 75 after the first round.
After making an eagle on No. 13, he jumped in the air and clicked his heels. He then birdied Nos. 15 and 16 and is at 2-under through eight holes.
BIRDIE CLUB: Triplett, Jeff Maggert and 1991 Masters winner Ian Woosnam had about as productive a hole as a group could hope for during the second round.
All three players knocked their tee shots within 8 feet at the par-3 16th.
Maggert putted first and made his birdie, and Woosnam and Triplett followed with birdies as well.
IN REMISSION: Carl Jackson can't hit golf balls without his hands hurting. Sure beats the alternative.
The Augusta native, and Ben Crenshaw's caddie, said his knuckles have given him problems since he underwent treatment for colon cancer, which was diagnosed in 2000. That was the first time since 1976 he didn't loop for Crenshaw in the Masters.
Eight months ago, he visited his doctor, who gave him these words: Don't come back for five years.
"That's a blessing," Jackson said.
CROWDS STILL LARGE: Despite rain delays in each of the first two rounds, crowds seemed to remain strong even though parts of the course were near-ankle deep in mud.
"This is the Masters," said Jonathan Kaye, who is playing in his third Masters. "Everybody wants to be here. It's the hottest ticket in sports."
CRAZY GREENS: Ted Purdy said his hometown course, Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, built a couple of greens that are among the hardest he had ever played. But he found out that all 18 greens at Augusta National were like that.
"It's just different golf," he said after his first round. "It's something you'll never see again."
Stewart Cink said he thought the rain had taken some of the "fear factor" out of the greens.
"They are still very difficult and the pin places are almost over the edge," he said.
GOOSEN'S IDEA: Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen has an idea for better playing conditions.
"We should be playing in South Africa," he said. "We are having a drought there."
A FORGETTABLE EAGLE: Rory Sabbatini had the first round's only eagle. It was the first time since 1970 - and the sixth time ever - that the first round had only one eagle.
It didn't really matter as the South African carded 80 for the first round. He is at 9-over par through six holes in the second round.
Triplett made the tournament's second eagle at No. 13.
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