Crimson Red Sports

Official web site: http://www.masters.com/en_US/index.html

Live coverage starts at 9:45 CDT today (Th): http://www.masters.com/en_US/live/index.html

Full coverage on TV and live (via web): http://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/schedule.html

"2012 Masters Odds: Tiger Woods Remains The Heavy Favorite"

http://boston.sbnation.com/2012/4/4/2924837/masters-golf-odds-tiger-woods-keegan-bradley-rory-mcilroy-phil-mickelson

Woods: 4:1
Phil: 11:1
McIlroy: 6:1

I'd love to see these 3 battling it out on Sunday.  Can't wait!  :jump:

It is just a beautiful setting for one of the all-time golf tournaments. It's a shame that the media tries each year to tarnish the event with their problem with Augusta not having a female member.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-ZBGFTxJBWI/TLb-LLvf3UI/AAAAAAAANJQ/mF3USeRnwCg/s400/dirty+snow+rosanne.jpg)
 :deadhorse:

First pairings tee off at 6:50 CDT this morning (Craig Stadler among them).   :popcorn2: :popcorn2:  (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v111/ruskigbuss/emoticons/sign08.gif)

Just for fun, if you like, make your picks for 1st, 2nd & 3rd.  I'll go with:

1. Tiger
2. McIlroy
3. Westwood

1. Tiger
2. Mickelson
3. McIlroy

update: Stadler +5; Harrington ahead at -2 (after 2).

He must be channeling his inner Leroy  :-[

LOL.  He's about to get a double on #13; +6 already.

Tiger even after 1.

Kaymer and Stinson at -2 (leaders).

Tiger even after 2.

The Walrus, has been off for a few years. He just can't get his driver and putter to work together. RTR!

Tiger birdied the 3rd: -1

Stenson at -3 (after 5).  It's his birthday (go figure!).

I just saw a video of Tiger at the 1st.  He hit a driver into the trees; scrambled for a par.

11 AM update:

Stenson: -3
Kaymer: -2
Cink: -2

numerous (including Tiger): -1

edit: Kaymer now -1
Tiger par at 5th (tied for 3rd now).  (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/golf/smileys-golf-148024.gif)

Lawrie -3
Stenson -3

Cink (missed a short birdie) -2
8 at -1 (including Tiger)  (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-merv/golf.gif)

(http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/golf/smileys-golf-838097.gif)

Cink missed that 5' putt at 11; now in the water at 12.   :(

Tiger with another par (6th): -1 and tied for 4th.  (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/golf/smileys-golf-838097.gif)

Video of Tiger at #2 showed him again hit a driver into the trees, unplayable lie, scramble to a par.
Video of the 3rd hole showed him with an iron off the tee, 2nd to within 10'; birdie putt.

Stenson -5 after 8.

Tiger and 11 others tied for 3rd (Cink dropped to even par).

Woods got a bogey at 7.   :'(

Woods and Cink are two I'd like to see do well.  Cink was originally from Florence, AL, though he claims Georgia as his home.

Stenson at -6  :bday5:

Lawrie -3

Woods (after 12) and 3 others: -2

Phil +1 after 1
Rory McIlroy +2 after 1   :o :o :o

I've got thunderstorms all around.  Hope the TV satellite stays with me.

Stenson chipped in.  It's his day: -6 after 14.

Tiger still at -2 after 14 (struggling with driver; again off the fairway at 15).

Phil even after 3.

Rory at +1.

Westwood birdies 3 in a row: -3
Stenson at -5
2 others at -3
Tiger and others at -2
Phil still even
Rory still +1

Stenson (-5) hit his drive among the camellias on #18.

Everyone else on cruise control.

Stenson -5
Westwood -4   :o :o WHO CALLED THAT?
...all else the same.

Stenson got a snowman (8) on 18: -1 (F)

Tiger got a bogey at 17: -1

Rory +1 and Phil even

Westwood leads at -4

Phil bogey at the 6th: +1

Jimenez (crazy, pony-tailed Spaniard) birdied the 17th: -3

Tiger in the trees on par-4 18th (he can't drive).
Later: Tiger took a drop; hit his 3rd to alongside the green; sank a tough putt for the bogey; finishes at even (bogeys at last-2 holes).

I really thought Phil Mickelson would be doing a lot better. RTR!

I think he'll bounce back tomorrow.  He's at +4 now, but he has a way of putting together a bunch of birdies occasionally.  Don't give up, Preacher.

Just like that, Preacher; Phil finished well and is +2 for the day (74).

Rory got 2 birdies too, and is -1 for the day (71).

It was a good first day.   #+

 #+ Thanks for the diligent job, Chech. I've been on the road all day and just read your updates.

There will be many ups and downs for the golfers this weekend and I think it is almost anybodies tournament to win. I do look for one of the some long shot players to jump in the middle of this though and challenge for the win.

It was a near monologue, but I figured some of you guys/girls were wanting updates.

I appreciate it. I will be gone tomorrow afternoon, so I'll look forward to your monologue updates as I did today.

Firday's tee times: http://www.majorschampionships.com/masters/2012/scoring/tee_times.cfm

Westwood at 8:40 CDT.
Phil and Rory just after 9:30.
Tiger at 12:42.

(http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/golf/smileys-golf-148024.gif)

Garcia -4 for the day (after 13th): -4

Westwood -1 today (15th): -6

Phil -1 today (12th): +1

Tiger birdied the first (after 2): -1

Dufner-the-Aub: -6 (17th).

OOsth... -4  (F)

 :o :o :o :o :o

Freddie Couples is -5 (tied for 2nd).

Westwood got a double bogey at 18: -4

Rory and others lead at -5

Jason Dufner    -5
Fred Couples    -5    
Sergio Garcia    -5    
Rory McIlroy     -5    
Louis Oosthuizen  -4    
Lee Westwood    -4    
Bubba Watson    -4

Ya'll sneaked a pick 'em contest past BAMAWV. :(  Just remember last year who was President of the RM fan club before being in the RM fan club was cool.

Go ahead and pick a winner.  Nobody has pulled away yet!

BTW, Phil is back at -2 (finished Friday).
Tiger still even par.
McIlroy at -3

(http://slices-of-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Augusta-golf-course-Georgia-USA.jpg)

Beautiful day at Augusta, and also here.

(http://cache.carlsonhotels.com/chi/images/hotels/SCAIKEN/loc5_450.jpg)

I finished my BIG chore of the weekend (putting up replacement shutters).  LF hated the old, blistered-paint ones.  Take it from me; not a fun job.  Now I'm relaxing until the Friday night auction.

But Tiger is letting me down.  :(

Thanks again, Chech. WV, no e-creds associated with the pics. Jump on out there with yours. 2 days left and they're all bunched up.

C'mon Freddie!!  :clap:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/Chechem_2008/MastersSat.jpg)

Tiger far behind at +3.   :(
Phil at -2.

Tiger is toast (+3). Rory is toast(+2). Phil is charging (-4). Freddy has fallen back in the pack but not out of reach (-2). Kuchar and Peter Hansen tied for the lead at -6.

(http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Sleepy/sleep-058.gif)

Phil eagles 13 to tie Kuchar and Oosthuizen (pronounced Oosthayzen) for the lead at -6.

Peter Hansen birdies 15 and Oosthuizen birdies 11. They are tied for the lead at -7.

Freddy fighting back to -3 and Bubba also birdies to go -4.

Phil hits an amazing flop shot to get up and down for birdie on 15 to once again tie for the lead at -7. Freddie stiffs it close on the #12 par 3 on amen corner. He will get to -4.

Hansen sinks a long double breaker on 17 to take the lead outright at -8.

Hansen knocks it stiff on 18. Fixing to go -9. Phil leaves birdie putt 3 inches short, dead in the throat, to stay at -7.

Good job, 2, carrying the tournament today..

Phil with a great hook onto the green at 18.

Phil hits an unbelievable shot for a realistic shot at birdie on 18. Bubba birdies to go -5 and tied for 4th.

Phil makes birdie to shoot 66 and is second at -8.  #+

Thanks Chech.

Peter Hanthen and Lou Holt'th must be related.

:lol:  true

Westwood working his way back up. Makes birdie to go -4.

Freddy hits the water on 15.  :(

I'm tiring of these announcers "predicting" shots into the water. 
Did you hear it before Freddie's shot?  "This green is perched out there like the bow of the Titanic, water out front and water behind."

They have a 5-minute delay this year, and the announcers are using it to make themselves look like geniuses.    >:( >:(

True. They used to announce "While we were away, this happened". Now, everything is perceived as live, even when it isn't.

Kuchar birdies 18 to get back to -5 and tied for 4th with Bubba.

Exactly right.  They must be full of themselves.

Wow! Phil was even par on the front 9. He did all his damage on the back 9 (-6).

Freddie is limping home (back-to-back bogeys).  -2

Freddy bogied 15 and 16 and is down to -2.

Bubba birdies 18 to go -6. Go Bubba Watson!  #+

Final pairing tomorrow will be Hansen and Phil.

Leaderboard:

Peter Hansen -9
Phil              -8
Oosthuizen    -7
Bubba           -6
Kuchar          -5

Phil will be hard to beat tomorrow, even though it could be won by a European. They typically do well at Augusta. 

Can Mickelson do it again, I think so and hope he does. Maybe somebody needs to give Woods a pacifier, he sure acts like a spoiled brat to have been so great at one time.

(http://0.tqn.com/d/golftravel/1/0/V/8/-/-/aug10a_small.jpg)

*** Sunday ***

Tiger even for the day after 5 holes: +3  
Stick him with a fork.

Rory +1 after 2 holes: +2
Ditto.

I'll be pulling for Phil & Bubba. I hate Tiger hand-grenaded, and worse than that, his behavior. Looks like the way I act when I play.  :-[

Freddie -1 after 3 holes: -3 for the tournament.  #+

Couples still -3.

Rory in the water (+5 today).

Tiger at +4. I would love to see Freddy take it, but he's too far back, I'm afraid.

3 putt bogey for Bubba on 1.  :(

Everybody has teed off now.

Freddie back to -2.   :(

The leader, Hanson, looks nervous.  He has a long par putt on #1.....

Missed.  Now he and Phil are tied at -8.   :o :o :o

Double eagle for Oosth.....  he's -10 now.   #+ #+ #+ #+

And he throws the ball to a patron. Unbelievable!!

Can you say, "Ebay"?

No kidding! Bubba birdies #2 to go back to -6. Phil and Hansen have short-sided themselves on the par 5 2nd hole.

This may be Oosty's day. What a recovery for par on #3.

Phil hit a crazy shot on par-3 #4, WAY into the woods.

 :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :dunno: :popcorn2:

 :pullhair:

Phil making a mess of #3.

Phil whacked it right-handed to 2' from where it was, then hit it crazy again.  Now he's hitting 4 from a rough area, still not on the green.

Now he's in the bunker for 4.  It's a par 3.  A 6 would be a gift now!

Oosthuizen looks better now.

Phil will get a 6 on #4 (after a good bunker shot).  :wall:

Phil makes a triple on #4. He drops all the way back to -5.

Phil's stupid grin is gone.  Maybe he can get it back if the others fade and he regains his composure.

Watson just birdied.

Wooot! Tied for 2nd now.

Phil has slumped shoulders.  His 2nd shot at #5 was okay; just off the green (fringe).

Oosthuizen is looking sloppy now too.  He's has several loose shots, and his chips stink.  I think Watson may take the lead...

 :popcorn2:

Oostie sank a downhill, long putt to save par.  He leads at -9.

Take a breath, guys.

Phil on #6, another par 3.  Hanson is already on the green....

Phil misses the spot, and the ball rolls left to about 60-70' from the hole.  :'(

On #7, Bubba is against a tree; chips out into the fairway...gets a good chip to the green, and has a good chance for par.

Phil's ball was funneling back down to the hole at #7, but stopped against a spike mark, it appeared!

Maybe Tiger left him that!   :wall:

Kuchar and Harrington have missed a pile of birdies.

Phil finally has a chance at a birdie on the par-5 8th.......

GOT IT.  He's 3 back.

Hold her down for me, Chech. I've got company for a while. I'll check in later. I see Phil got it to -6.

Whew, Phil sank a 7' curve for a par on #9.  Hanson also got a par.

Get ready for the BACK 9.   :popcorn2: :popcorn2: :popcorn2:

Yup.

Oostie gets a bogey.  He is at -8. 
Bunching up now.

Phil is the only one there with experience.  He can win this by 2 strokes if he plays his game.

Oostie seems settled now; got his par at 11.  So did Watson.

Kuchar finally got a birdie (at 12): -6.

(http://0.tqn.com/d/golftravel/1/0/P/8/-/-/aug12b_small.jpg)

Oosth and Watson safely on/near the 12th green (above).

Can Phil do it?  He was fortunate to stay dry on the hillside above the water on 11th.

Westwood bac-to-back birdies: -6.

Watson bogey at 12th.  Now at -6.

(http://0.tqn.com/d/golftravel/1/0/P/8/-/-/aug12b_small.jpg)

Phil at 12th now.... looks at flag and the light breeze... hits it high, right over the flag to the back of the green.  Whew!

HANSON with a shank at 12th.  Didn't even make it to the water.  Terrible shot.   :o :o :o

Hanson 2nd shot....

within 20' of the hole.  Maybe he can still par....

Nope, bogey.  He's +3 today: -6.

(http://www.lionsgateart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/painting_16-480x325.jpg)

Now Phil and Hanson are at 13, a beautiful hole.  This tournament is up for grabs.

Both Watson and Oostie are across the water on the 13th, but have tough shots yet.

Phil is set up perfectly to make a shot at the green.  He got an eagle here yesterday.  An eagle and he's in the lead, maybe alone (if Oostie fails).

(http://www.lionsgateart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/painting_16-480x325.jpg)

Lots of missed birdies so far, BUT Bubba gets one at the par-5 13th: -7.

Oostie with a chance... gets a birdie: -9.

Hanson first from the fairway... into the creek and bounces out again.   :o :o  :dunno:

Now Phil with a good look at the green.......  :tinfoil:  waiting... good stroke... to within 15' for eagle, uphill.

Phil will follow Hanson's downhill putt (after a chip from creekside).

Phil ready for eagle....... missed just an inch.  Birdie though: -7 (2 back).

(http://www.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/11066743.jpg)

Oostie has a long par putt at 14.... GOT IT!!!!  This guy is looking like a winner.

Meanwhile, Kuchar is at -8 it appears.  :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil:

Watson for as birdie: -8.  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT

Phil at 14..... may be in the trees.

Hanson is okay in the fairway.

Bubba Watson is WIRED.... long drive every time.  He's hit it 350 on the 15th.

Phil from the pine straw to the green.  Chance for birdie.

Kuchar birdie at 15: -8 (tied for lead).

Phil gets a par at 14th.  Came from the trees to get that.

Bubba has a chance for eagle at 15 (20' uphill).

Hanson misses birdie chance (fork).

(http://public.yourgolftravel.com/blog/augusta-national-15th-hole.jpg)

Phil needs to start making birdies; Bubba is on fire.  Gets a tap-in birdie (-9 tied for lead, but).....

Oosthuisen gets another long putt; birdie at 15.  He leads now at -10.  :o :o :o

Westwood finishes at -8 (low score in the clubhouse).

Phil is -7 (3 back), playing the par-5 15th.  He must get at least a birdie here.

Okay, Phil at the 15th, 2nd shot from 222 yards......  walks around a bit.... knows he needs an eagle.  Stares it down....  changes clubs (to a 5 iron)..... checks the wind.....

Bones says, "Full 5"..... breeze is into him. 

Loud cheer for Watson stops Phil...........  Watson is 3' for birdie at 16.

Phil ready..... high shot to the back of the green...........not what he wanted, but a chance for eagle.  But Watson upstaged him.

(http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/04/05/1226319/467753-augusta-16th.jpg)

Oosthuizen follows Watson's great shot on #16 (above)........... on the green, below the hole at ~17' for birdie.  WHAT A FINISH WE'RE GETTING.


Oostie sizes it up............. nice stroke............ just a tap-in for par.

Bubba at 16 for his birdie (7').  He waits for Hanson (great chip to get his par).

Watson now at 16.................  GETS IT, CROWD ERUPTS.  HE'S TIED FOR THE LEAD AT -10.

:jump:  :jump:

Phil for eagle at 15.................sad, left it short by 3'.   :( :(

But both Hanson and Phil got a birdie.  Phil is 2 back at -8.

Meanwhile, both Bubba and Oosthuizen hit drivers into the forest.  My gosh!

*** Par-3 16th for Phil and Hanson ***

Phil first............needs a birdie.......... up on top of the green, DOES NOT COME DOWN THE SLOPE (he's cooked from there).

(http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/p/sp/getty/cd/fullj.e6c2c208678dacbea75d9fb753fe09fa/e6c2c208678dacbea75d9fb753fe09fa-getty-142529357.jpg)

Ahead to the 17th:

Oostie bounced back into the fairway (this guy has luck)..... in the front bunker.

Bubba is among the trees........... trying a crazy shot................... OVER THE TREES TO THE GREEN!!!  :jump:

Back at the 16th:

Phil missed the imposible birdie.... gets a par.

Hanson for a birdie..... spins out (fork).

(http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2009/0415/pga_g_18th_300.jpg)

**** 18th tee ***

This is a narrow drive.  Watson and Oosthuizen must stay in the fairway.  Both are shaky, both -10, both a 2-stroke lead over others.  They par the 18th and they likely are the 2 in a playoff.

Bubba first..... long and in the fairway.  Excellent.

Oostie now.... not as long, but in the fairway.  Whoa, Nellie.

Phil in the 17th fairway.  He needs a birdie BADLY.

2nd shot ......... looks high and nice.... 144 yards........  short and 30' for his last chance.

Oostie and Bubba at the 18th:

Oostie first........... lots of chat with his caddie........... Bubba is pacing....... Oostie ready now, taking aim at the hole......... in the air............ too long, behind the hole 20'.

Bubba can win it with a birdie here it seems................. in the air............. hole high to the right, 15' for birdie to likely win.

Both have tough puts, Oostie harder by far (fast downhill).

(http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/12/44/04/2769172/5/628x471.jpg)

18th Green.

Oosthuizen first to putt .......... lots of chatter, grins with that gap-tooth smile................ waits and bends to look carefully.... here he goes.....
misses, but stops 5' below the hole.  testy.

Now Bubba.................. he won't take long.  He's bent over staring.  Can he stand the pressure and win here?

No, ... to within 1'.  

Now Oostie must hole his testy putt to tie...... looks it over.... has been steady all day, so he should handle this.................  stands over it.............

GOT IT.

Playoff.  :jump:

Phil would have to eagle the par-4 18th.  He puts the drive in the pine straw.  Oh well.

Phil pars the 18th: -8 (tied for 3rd).

                 *** Masters Playoff ***

Louis Oosthuizen and Bubba Watson


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p7FiwxFklTw/S7qPD4iqnBI/AAAAAAAAAto/XJhuofr0I04/s1600/augusta.jpg)

18th hole.

They draw for the honors...... Watson is first.

Bubba gets out his pink driver ...............  he's ready and wound up like a spring............. he makes a mighty swing......................LONG and in the fairway, excellent.

Now Oostie.............. chats with caddie ............practice swing............. calls for a towel for his grip.................makes a big swipe at it...............
in the fairway also.  Good start.

 :popcorn2: :popcorn2: :popcorn2:

(http://www.augusta.com/sites/all/themes/masters/images/history/bobby_jones.jpg)

Lots of history here.  Lots of tradition.  Bobby Jones may creep into the players' minds and ruin a shot.

 :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil:

Oostie first to hit.............. discussion again..... sun is down and shadows cover the fairway............... Oostie selects his iron (151 yards)............. swings............  god shot, right of the hole, feeding back down.  God shot, about 15'.

Bubba now...........fast and ready................... swings (131 yards).............
feeding back down...............even better (10').

:jump:

Oostie will be first to putt............ announcers call it 15'.

He just misses it by an inch.  Bubba can win now.

Now Bubba....... just 10', a bit uphill....... just misses below the hole.

Now back to the 10th.  This is WILD.  The crowd is massive.  Bubba looks crazed.  Oostie has a pleasant smile, as always.

Okay, Bubba to tee off first.  He has his driver.  Smacks the drive.....................  waaaaaay right into the trees..........

50 yards into the trees .........among the bears!!!!!!!

"Oh, my."

Oostie changes to a 3 wood............ but he also smashes it into the forest.

(http://www.markbsplace.net/images/DeepForest-1024x768.jpg)

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/26980978_bd03be8cb5.jpg)

Golf has stopped while we go camping.  It's crazy-forest golf.

Bubba is on pine straw and leaf litter.  He has no shot at the green --- no mortal-human shot.

He is pacing around the ball..........  tall trees over him, a magnolia behind............ he can swing from there, but what can he do?  

Meanwhile,  Oostie is alongside the forest, in the rough..... he'll hit first.  231 to the green.................. into the steep upslope in front of the green.

Watson now from the wilds.................... be a minute while he thinks.

WATSON HIT AN INCREDIBLE SHOT, A SNAP HOOK, ONTO THE GREEN TO WITHIN 10-12'.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 :o :o :o :o :o :o

Crowd is going wild.  Bubba is strutting to the green.

Oostie will chip up to the hole..... about 60' or more........... lots of curves and such.  here it is.................... curves behind the hole to the back of the green and stops.


BUBBA CAN WIN IT NOW WITH THIS BIRDIE PUTT.

He must wait for Oostie to putt again, though.... Oostie bends and sizes it up.  Tough putt, from about 15' downhill for par.  If he misses, Bubba can lag.......

Oostie misses!!!!

Bubba has 2 putts uphill to win the Masters.  Misses first.

Bubba sinks the par......... he wins the 2012 Masters!!!

:jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump:  :jump: 

Congrats Bubba Watson, that was one heck of a second shot on playoff hole #10.  #+

Is Bubba Watson kin to Tom Watson of the older days? Tom Watson was a great player. He could drive a ball like a car. RTR!

I am so happy for Bubba. He lives across the bay from here and plays his practice golf at Stonebrook CC in Pace, which is where I play most of my golf. In fact, I played behind him once about 5-6 years ago and I was totally in awe. What a great guy. He is so emotional, I can't believe he made it through all the interviews. Congrats to Bubba and thanks for the great commentary, Chech!

 #+  #+