Apr3 Masterssnippets

Sandy Lyle looked very comfortable as he played a practise round today with Tony Jacklin and Tim Herron. He has been in the States since January, working with his coach, and reckons he is playing some of the best golf of his life.

When any European is interviewed the inevitable question is asked about why no European has won a major for eight years. Johan Edfors, playing in his first Masters seems untroubled by the drought. “I am quite sure a couple of Europeans will win majors this year,” he said. “If not me, then I think Henrik Stenson is favourite to pick one up.

Aaron Baddeley, who has missed the cut in the two Masters he has played in (2000 and 2001) enters this tournament in a very different frame of mind, convinced he is capable of becoming the first ever Australian to win a Green Jacket. Baddeley won the FBR Open a couple of weeks ago. A committed Christian, he reckons that this could be his year. “I remember when Bernhard [Langer] won on Easter Sunday, it can’t get any better than that,” he said.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson was in especially jocular mood in the press centre. Asked if he saw a time soon when Tiger’s competitive drive might be reduced by the birth of his first child he said: “No, but I hope I’m wrong.” Asked whether he remembers what it was like putting the Green Jacket on Tiger in 2005 he replied: “No, but I remember what it felt like last year when he put the jacket on me. There was also laughter when he noted that the greens at Augusta were “unbelievable, because they just never ever spike up,” a veiled reference to Vijay’s Singh’s comments about him spiking them up a couple of years ago.

Ernie Els has played a practise round with the great South African legend, Gary Player on the Tuesday of Masters week at 9 in the morning. It’s become a bit of a tradition. Today, fellow countrymen Trevor Immelman and Tim Clark joined them; and coming up the 17th fairway Gary turned to Ernie and said: “This should be your best year ever.”

Never one to mince his words, Arnold Palmer caused quite a furore in the press centre when he said: “Who gives a s**t” in answer to a journalist who suggested that Gary Player might play in another 30 Masters because he was so fit. Player is playing in his 50th Tournament, equalling Palmer’s record; but as Palmer pointed out, the South African can’t really touch his record, “because he missed a year”. Arnie’s, who’s 50 were all consecutive, has agreed to be the honorary starter this year, and will hit the first shot on Thursday mnorning.