In the field
Justin Rose returned Tuesday to the site of last year's disaster.
Rose pulled within one shot of Zach Johnson after a tap-in birdie at No. 16 in the final round of the 2007 Masters Tournament. Then he hit his tee shot, a wicked slice, at the tight par-4 17th.
The ball bounced off a tree and settled in the 15th fairway. He ended up making double bogey to fall out of contention and into a tie for fifth.
"Yeah, I did take a long, hard look at the tree that ricocheted my ball 50 yards down the fairway, and I didn't think they would appreciate me chopping it down," he said. "It's just a narrow driving hole, to be honest with you, and it's one that you just need to stand up and hit a good tee shot."
ON THE ROAD: It's been almost three weeks since Virginia Tech golf coach Jay Hardwick and junior Drew Weaver have been in the comforts of their Charlottesville, Va., residences.
Hardwick and Weaver, the reigning British Amateur champ, have been on the road since March 21. The Hokies have had three tournaments the past three weeks in the Southeast, including the Augusta State Invitational last weekend. On April 1, Weaver played in the Georgia Cup with Hardwick on hand.
"I pay more rent than I do mortgage," Hardwick said with a laugh. "I think I've purchased a second home right now. It's a nice problem to have."
ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON: Long-hitting lefty Bubba Watson is watching Masters highlights to figure out pin placements in preparation for his initial appearance.
Watson, who leads the PGA Tour with a 313.5-yard driving average, said he's focusing a lot of his practice on the greens.
"Speed's going to be the thing," he said. "Right now it's easy to get speed down, because you don't have the pressure. I get to drop another one and re-putt. So right now I'm putting good."
SEEING CRIMSON: University of Alabama senior Michael Thompson knows a thing or two about pressure. According to Golfweek magazine, Thompson is the No. 2 amateur golfer in the nation.
The 2007 U.S. Amateur runner-up, Thompson is making his first Masters appearance. He said he has seen plenty of Alabama supporters wearing caps and sweatshirts on the course this week.
Next Wednesday, Thompson and his teammates on top-ranked Alabama travel to Sea Island, Ga., for the Southeastern Conference Championships.
"It's just good being in competitive mode, especially at this tournament," Thompson said. "It's fun playing a good golf course in front of a lot of people."
Thompson said he will finish out his college career, play the U.S. Open as an amateur and turn pro in July.
NOT HOLDING BACK: Reigning British Open champion Padraig Harrington said he's looking forward to playing today's Par-3 Contest. He might be one of the few, because of the jinx.
Since the Par-3 Contest began in 1960, no player has won the nine-hole event and the Masters in the same year.
Harrington won the Par-3 Contest in 2003 and 2004. He missed the cut in '03 and finished in a tie for 13th the next year.
"I'll be playing the Par-3 competition again hoping that three times might be a charm," he said. "I believe that if you want to put some spin on it superstitious-wise, I believe if you win it twice, you're bound to win the actual event."
MASTERFUL: Retief Goosen has taken a liking to Augusta National the past three years with consecutive top-3 finishes, including runner-up in 2007.
This year, he returns with a swing change. Goosen weakened his grip and is trying to get the club straight at the top for more accurate shots. The changes have produced a mixed bag of results this year, with a second-place showing in the World Golf Championships-CA Championship to go with two missed cuts in seven PGA Tour starts.
Goosen, who has dropped to No. 27 in the world rankings, said his game is starting to come around.
"I feel like I'm hitting a lot better and putting is a lot better," he said, "so hopefully, it starts falling together now."
FEELING BETTER: Adam Scott withdrew from last weekend's Houston Open after rounds of 63-76 after reportedly suffering from a fever and swollen glands.
He said he's on the mend with a mixture of rest and antibiotics. Scott got in some practice Tuesday after taking Monday off.
The 27-year-old has posted four top-30 finishes in six Masters appearances. He is trying to become the first Australian to win a green jacket.
He said he is amazed a golfer from Down Under hasn't already staked his claim at Augusta.
"I would have thought Greg (Norman) was going to be the first Australian to win," Scott said. "Still surprising that we haven't, but it will change."
Scott recently was tabbed as the sexiest golfer by The Golf Channel. The honor doesn't compare, he said, to other on-course achievements.
"I guess I take it as a compliment, but I don't get a green jacket for it," he said. "I wish I did."
