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Masters: a return to normality to let the magic of Augusta National Golf Club operate

2021-04-07T09:53:04.607Z


Last Major of 2020, the Augusta Masters is the first of the year 2021 in a still particular configuration in the midst of a health crisis. Star wars are on.


Five months after a Masters unlike any other, the most legendary of the Grand Slam events is already back in 2021 on its usual dates.

Last fall, the closed session was decreed.

This year is a more familiar Masters that we should attend.

This spring, the privileged few, the “bosses” - the ticket holders who keep their purchasing priority from one year to the next - will be responsible for setting the mood.

The daily spectator gauge remains secret.

It must be said that the Augusta National Golf Club likes to cultivate the mystery.

One certainty: for a return to normal and a public without a mask and without frost, we will have to wait (we hope!) 2022. Canceled in 2020, the Augusta National Women's amateur, an event reserved for the best amateur players in the world, and of which the French Pauline Roussin-Bouchard finished third, took place.

The traditional par 3 contest, which attracts a huge number of fans every year, has on the other hand been canceled again.

Proof that this 85th edition will not yet be quite like the others in a still constrained organizational framework.

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Greens much faster than in November

But the azaleas are in bloom and the greens have regained, according to privileged observers, their legendary speed.

After the 2016 US Open, Dustin Johnson won his second Grand Slam title last November on a course much less fierce than usual due to heavy rains that had softened the autumn greens.

On the greens more receptive than ever, DJ had signed last November a record score of 268 (-20) and a lead of five strokes over Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith.

The largest gap since the twelve strokes of Tiger Woods in 1997. The world number one had indeed "humiliated" the course by also setting records for the greatest number of greens in regulation (60) and the fewest number of greens. bogeys (four).

Although stormy precipitation expected on Friday could have an impact on the course and the score, the expected spring conditions, and strong sunshine should make it significantly more difficult to negotiate than last November.

The Jordan Spieth Threat

In any case, a double as a “DJ” would be quite a feat.

Only Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Nick Faldo (1989-90) and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) have accomplished this performance in the past.

Sunday winner of the Valero Texas Open, Jordan Spieth could well put everyone in agreement on a course that he cherishes.

In 2014, the Texan finished second behind Bubba Watson.

The following year, he won.

Second in 2016, eleventh in 2017, third in 2018, he has been less prominent in the last two years (21st in 2019 and 46th last year), but he has regained his best feelings in recent months, especially on the greens.

“It's been much easier for me since twelve hours, since I can look forward and not go back on what happened, he breathed after his success in Texas.

That's exciting.

I'm going to roll up my sleeves and try to be a little better than last week. "

The 27-year-old, who had taken part in 82 tournaments since his last victory at the British Open, without winning, will try to make the statistics lie.

Only four Masters champions won the event that preceded it, and the last was Mickelson in 2006.

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Rory McIlroy awakening?

They are 88 players at the start, including three amateurs for a green jacket and for history.

The cream of the crop and a big absentee.

Tiger Woods who is slowly recovering from his terrible car accident last February.

Winner of the Players, second player in the world, fourth in 2020, Justin Thomas will obviously be one of the men to beat.

The veteran Lee Westwood, back to his best level in 2021, Xander Shauffele, second in the 2019 edition or the very young dad Jon Rahm, could put on the green jacket on Sunday.

Collin Morikawa, winner of the last US PGA and this year of the WC-Workday Championship, and Bryson DeChambeau, winner of the US Open and the last Arnold Palmer Invitational, could obviously have a say in the final race even if the distance does not do everything in Augusta ...

Another huge hitter, Brooks Koepka, visibly recovered from his recent knee surgery could be a spoiler.

Just like Rory McIlroy, still looking for the only major missing from his record.

Deprived of a Grand Slam title since 2014, he has never done better than 4th in Augusta.

In full doubt in recent weeks, he is not approaching this 85th Masters in the best conditions.

But you never know ... Especially since unlike usual, the Northern Irishman is not one of the favorites.

The pressure shouldn't be on his shoulders.

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WGC-Match Play: beaten in the semifinals, Victor Perez lets the dream fly

Victor Perez wants to surf on a beautiful dynamic

In great shape, the French number one Victor Perez, who is playing his second Masters, is inevitably eagerly awaited by the French public. Ninth in the Players, considered by the Americans as a sort of fifth “Major”, fourth in the WGC-Dell Match Play at the end of March, the Tarbais shines in major meetings and the Augusta Masters seem to arrive at the right time. 46th (+1 in total) for his first participation, the new 29th World (his best ranking to date) will try to do better than Thomas Levet 13th in 2005, best ranking for a French player in Augusta. It remains to be seen how the best French player will tame the devilish greens of the Augusta National Golf club in their April configuration on a course where draw players are generally more comfortable than bland players like him ...

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-04-07

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