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Mind game
Players say delay adds to tournament's mental test
Posted: Thursday April 10, 2003 9:39 PM
Updated: Friday April 11, 2003 10:39 AM
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Sergio Garcia and his caddie, Glen Murray, pack the golfer's bag on the driving range as they talk with Garcia's father, Victor. Jonathan Ernst/AugustaChronicle |
By Josh Katzowitz
The Augusta Chronicle
Phil Tataurangi prides himself on staying in top shape. Walking 36 holes - or to put it in layman's terms, slogging more than eight miles - doesn't scare the 31-year-old New Zealander.
But according to Tataurangi, it also determines how well he plays today.
"I'd like to think I can play 36 holes and be energized at the end of the day," he said. "But it's mentally demanding to play this golf course for 18 holes. To play it twice in a row, you have to be fit from the shoulders up."
Most of the golfers hanging around the Clubhouse after Thursday's first round was postponed said the same thing.
Playing 36 holes is not a big deal - "Man, I'm fit as a fiddle," Rich Beem said. Staying mentally focused for that long, though, will be an entirely different story.
"It's more of a mental test," Augusta native Larry Mize said. "We can all walk 36 holes, but staying mentally sharp will be the key."
"For me, it is probably more mental," Scott Hoch said. "Mentally, it will be tough, especially if it's raining. That wears on you. The younger guys will probably have an advantage being able to concentrate for 36 holes."
Hunter Mahan isn't so sure. Playing the equivalent of two rounds in a day isn't that unusual, he said, and besides, he's surrounded by professionals with much more experience.
"Usually, the last few holes get into you mentally," said the 20-year-old amateur from Oklahoma State. "It can be pretty tough. But a lot of these guys have been on the Tour for a long time. They know how to control their mental game. I don't think it will bother them."
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Hunter Mahan practices on the chipping green. The Masters rookie says playing 36 holes in a day isn't that unusual. Annette Drowlette/AugustaChronicle |
Mahan will have an advantage. As the second-youngest player participating in this year's Masters, Mahan isn't subject to the aches and pains of a golfer twice - or three times - his age.
Just don't expect 49-year-old Jay Haas to lobby for a golf cart.
"We're not in wheelchairs yet," Haas said. "I can go 36 holes. Would I like to be in the shape Tiger's in? Sure. But we're not. Obviously, this plays into the hands of the younger guys.
"We've done this many times before. It's our job to deal with it. It's going to be a long day, so you have to be patient."
The preparations for today's 36-hole test began soon after the decision was made to postpone Thursday's round.
After hearing the news, Bernhard Langer ripped a few drives on the practice range. Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington ignored the steady drizzle and worked on their bunker play, while Vijay Singh and Adam Scott set up on the putting green.
"It gives you a little extra time to work on things and figure things out," Els said.
For others, though, the half-day was a good opportunity to, as Chris DiMarco said, "relax and chill ... go home and play some gin with my dad."
In other words, stay focused. Rest your mind. Get some sleep. Or be like Mahan: Try to avoid the media.
"It doesn't do me any good to be talking to you guys," he said, only half-kidding. "That mentally wears on you too."
Staff Writers Mike Howell and Chris Gay contributed to this article.
Copyright 2003 The Augusta Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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