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Masters notebook
Delay brings small spectator to course
Posted: Thursday April 10, 2003 8:28 PM
Updated: Thursday April 10, 2003 11:59 PM
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Workers set up portable lights on the driving range at Augusta National. Play starts at 7:30 a.m. today, but it will still be dark while early golfers are trying to practice. Andrew Davis Tucker/AugustaChronicle |
By Chris Gay
The Augusta Chronicle
When Susie Bennett learned that first-round play was postponed Thursday morning at the Masters Tournament, she saw an opening.
Bennett, whose husband, Jeremy , is the swing trainer for three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo, decided to bring 8-month-old son Steed to Augusta National Golf Club.
"He's probably the youngest spectator here," she said.
Bennett said she had decided earlier in the day not to come to the tournament. But she figured Steed wouldn't be able to interrupt anyone after play was called.
"I thought it'd be nice to bring him here today," she said. "With the big crowds, he's a bit unpredictable with his crying."
EARLY RISER: Scott Hoch kidded with reporters behind the Clubhouse about his early tee times in the Masters. Hoch will tee off at 7:50 this morning in the first of two rounds.
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New York Giants running back Tiki Barber walks past the Clubhouse after watching practice at the driving range. Jonathan Ernst/AugustaChronicle |
"I think I go early a lot," he said. "I guess that's the lack of respect I get up here or whatever. Maybe it's just some things I said in the past and they're getting back at me. I seem to always go early on Thursday."
IN THE LIGHT: Golfers teeing off early this morning won't be able to practice in broad daylight. Masters officials installed two temporary lighting fixtures late Thursday afternoon in front of the stands at the driving range to remedy the problem.
AUTOGRAPH HOUND: Two-time Masters champion Tom Watson got 2001 PGA champion David Toms to sign six Masters pin flags for him outside the pro shop.
BARBER SIGHTING: New York Giants running back Tiki Barber got the Clubhouse tour from a past Masters champion Thursday. Fred Couples, the 1992 champion, showed the gridiron great around the building.
DRY SPELLS: Both Gene Littler and Tom Kite played in 26 Masters without winning - the most by any tournament participant. Jay Haas holds the longest active streak of appearances without a Masters win with 19, while Hoch and Nick Price each have 17.
DAY OF THE HUNTER: Amateur and first-time participant Hunter Mahan, who tees off at 9:10 this morning on No. 1, will attempt to play 36 holes in one day for the second time in a week in Augusta. The Oklahoma State junior played two rounds in the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational at Forest Hills Golf Club on Saturday. After a rain-delayed final round Sunday, he finished tied for 11th at 7-under par.
FIRST TIMERS: In 66 previous Masters, there have been only three who won on their first try. Two of the champions won in the first two years of the tournament (Horton Smith in 1934 and Gene Sarazen in 1935). Fuzzy Zoeller was the other player to accomplish the feat, winning a playoff in 1979.
CONSISTENCY: Only one Masters champion in the past 10 years ( Nick Faldo , 1996) has recorded a score of double bogey or worse in the tournament and gone on to win.
Copyright 2003 The Augusta Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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