The Masters: Winners and losers

Published on Sunday 18 April 2010 00:13

IT was by universal acclaim, the best Masters in years. Well, six at least, since 2004 when Phil Mickelson saw off Ernie Els by a single shot over a birdie-festooned final nine holes.

Between now and then, however, things went horribly wrong at the end of Magnolia Lane. Courtesy of a big dope called Hootie (chairman Johnson to his ever-decreasing band of friends), the Augusta National course was shorn of almost every aspect of the St. Andrews-like character that made the year's first major one of the most anticipated events on the golfing calendar.

Now, of course, Hootie is gone, replaced by Billy Payne, who is gradually edging the course back to how it was originally envisioned by the original architects, Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie. The result was the spectacular tournament we all watched last week, an event highlighted and low-lighted by the following cast of characters:

Phil Mickelson 10/10

It was quite a week for the man who now owns three green jackets. Not only did he win his first major since that disastrous closing double bogey did for chances of a first US Open victory at Winged Foot back in 2006, the game's greatest-ever left-hander provided the on-course story line of the century so far. While this column is no fan of the often-mawkish and cloying schmaltz that tends to pervade almost every aspect of American sport, the tender and lingering embrace shared by Mickelson and his cancer-ridden wife, Amy, at the rear of the 18th green last Sunday was enough to soften the hardest of hearts.

And what about that shot Mickelson hit from behind the tree on the 13th hole in the final round? It was at once fantastic, ridiculous and not something any of us should be trying any time soon. Throw in that half-hour of magic "Lefty" provided in the third round, when he came within inches of making three eagles in succession, and this tournament was surely the most memorable and fruitful example of Mickelson's "go-for-it" philosophy. As he said: "A great shot is when you pull it off. A smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it."

Phil, as usual, went for it. And we are all the richer for seeing him do so.

Tiger Woods 5/10

Sadly for the world number one, this was not the comeback he would have wished for. Not only was he outplayed by his biggest rival, the obvious happiness of the Mickelson marriage only served to underline even more the contrast between the two men.

On one side we had Tiger the ever-selfish serial adulterer, on the other, Phil the devoted husband and father. In boxing terms, it was a first-round knockout.

While on public display, Tiger did make an obvious effort to be more user-friendly. He signed more autographs. He flashed those pearly-white gnashers of his. He waved to the crowd and acknowledged their presence perhaps more than ever before. But all of that was at least partly undone by the oh-so familiar flashes of anger, the loudly audible sweary words and, at the end, his complete failure to acknowledge the sterling play of Mickelson. As per usual, for Tiger the whole week was about him and him alone.

The Golf Course 7/10

Given the efforts at restoration that have already taken place, it was no coincidence that this was the most exciting "toonamint" in more than half a decade. Many of the fairways were noticeably wider. Some of the tees were moved up. At least a few of the silly Christmas trees so beloved of his-Hootiness had been removed. The greens were half a yard slower than they have been in recent years. And the pin positions were generally placed to encourage sensible attack rather than shoulder-shrugging defence. With the end result that the winning score was 16 under par – just about perfect.

Much work remains to be done, however. All of the new trees planted on the 11th, 15th and 17th need to be removed. On day three not one of the world's best players was able to make a birdie putt on the penultimate green, proof indeed that something

is seriously wrong with what was once a perfectly acceptable hole.

Billy Payne 5/10

It isn't often that jaws drop at a tradition-based establishment like the Augusta National Golf Club. But this year the chairman managed to cause a suitably surprising stooshie when he publicly chastised the errant Tiger on the eve of the tournament.

My favourite bit: "Is there a way forward? I hope yes. I think yes. But certainly his future will never again be measured only by his performance against par; but measured by the sincerity of his efforts to change. I hope he now realises that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile."

Powerful and eloquent stuff indeed. And spot on, if one fails to consider the source of the condemnation. But it does seem more than a bit much that the chairman of an establishment that routinely discriminates against half the world's population (never mind the club's deplorable record on race and religion) feels able to preach to anyone about disrespect towards women.

The European challenge 3/10

The admirable Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter apart, this was not a week to remember for the Old World invaders. It was, in fact, just awful. Where was this supposed "golden generation?" Most of them, sad to say, were home for the weekend, or on their way to China for the Volvo Open.

Am I the only one who is starting to think that this year's European Ryder Cup team might not be as good as we all thought?

Some examples: Graeme McDowell 75-74, Luke Donald 74-75, Soren Hansen 74-75, Padraig Harrington 74-75, Martin Kaymer 76-73, Alvaro Quiros 75-75, Rory McIlroy 74-77, Oliver Wilson 78-73, Ross Fisher 77-76, Paul Casey 75-78, Henrik Stenson 80-75. These are not scores likely to strike fear into the hearts of an American Curtis Cup team, never mind their Ryder equivalents. No wonder captain Monty is currently spending more and more time at the buffet table. The man needs some comfort.

The Huggan picks 1/10

They all made sense at the time. But none of them played worth a damn. Ernie Els – too many double-bogeys. Retief Goosen – too many shots, full stop. Padraig Harrington – see above. Martin Kaymer – see Harrington. Geoff Ogilvy – too many putts, including a nightmare run on the first morning when he missed from inside ten feet on seven greens in succession. Boys, you let me down. Badly.

The New Range 10/10

It was something to see. What was, a mere 12 months ago, the place where I parked my car, was transformed into what has to be the best practice facility on the planet. And it only cost $140m (!), if one takes into account the fact that the club had to buy up the whole neighbourhood on the other side of Berckmans Road – minus one stubborn home owner whose house now sits in the middle of a wide expanse of nothingness – in order to provide parking for the media and spectators, sorry, 'patrons.'

Jack Nicklaus 0/10

It pains me to say this, it really does. Along with almost every Scottish-born golfer, this observer is one of Jack Nicklaus' biggest fans. Between us, we have elevated the Golden Bear to almost God-like status in the land where the game began. And he deserves every bit of our hero worship. Perhaps only the great Bobby Jones played golf with as much distinction and class, especially when not winning.

All of which makes it all the more shocking that, asked if he was planning to visit the Old Course for the four-hole 'Champions Challenge' on the eve of the Open this July, Nicklaus gave the following response: "It really revolves around the Royal Bank of Scotland. If they want me to come and do work, yes. Am I going to go on my own to play four holes of golf at St. Andrews? No."

In other words, this man, in whom we have all invested so much over the years, cannot be bothered to make even a brief un-sponsored visit in order to acknowledge the huge debt he owes his most ardent followers. That, apparently, is too much to ask. Shame on you, Jack.