2011 Review Golf: The Masters

will be here, until then, good Thankfully the last of the wild and

wintry weather is on its way out. Still a pretty raw night across

southern areas. A cloudy start in the morning. Hopefully the skies

will brighten. Further north across the country, a lovely start to the

day, plenty of sunshine with a steady thaw. It will stay across

northern England, a vast improvement on today's winter

Wonderland. Down across the Midland and southern England, after a

cloudy start, things brightening up to some extent. For south western

parts of England, Devon and Cornwall, a struggle, one or two

showers here, and a breeze. A better day across Wales, a steady

thaw of lying snow, temperatures 8- 10. For Northern Ireland, and

indeed Scotland, things turning cloudy, with patchy rain turning up.

No great amounts, it might be a cloudy, drab, end to the day. Most

of the rain across Scotland to the far North West. Further ahead, as

we get into Friday. A lot of cloud around across the country. Thickest

across northern areas, with patchy rain. Further south, after a frosty

start, it will tend to cloud over, but should stay mostly dry. Through

much of the Easter weekend, there will be a fair bit of cloud.

Limited brightness. This is the scene on Good Friday, not much in

the way of sunshine, always the threat of rain, never too far away.

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We can't complain, by Easter Hello. Augusta National's

Plantation Club have his burnished and cleaning, and the fairways have

been manicured to the millimetre. Everything is again picture-perfect

for the 76th playing of the Masters tournament. One of the most eagerly

anticipated masters of all time. The patrons are abuzz with

excitement. We have got a Northern Irishman and two Englishman leading

the charge, and a Tiger firmly on the way champions do it. What a way

The cast list would not be complete without our favourite golfing and

Australian, Wayne Grady, and our favourite soon to be inducted

member of the hall of fame, Peter Alliss, soon to be in very

illustrious company. They must have made a mistake! My friend said, get

the old boy Ian before he stuffs it! It is a great honour for the

family. You are still waiting on your invitation, but I am sure it

is coming! This event has all of the classical marks for a great

year. All of the contenders are in bed hot form. It is quite unusual.

Normally, nobody stands out, so we are struggling to pick somebody in

form, and this year, you have got Tiger Woods, of Rory McIlroy,

Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, everybody is playing great.

We have the makings of a great Championship. The focus of

attention has been on boardroom a call right after his slow-motion

final day collapse last year -- it becomes very cruel. The green

jacket seems a long way away. Augusta took a chunk out of you

What are your feelings now? memories come back. It took a chunk

out of me, that afternoon, but it was good. It was not good at the

time, but looking back, it definitely helped me. That will

hopefully help be this week. are now a major winner and a former

world number one. 12 months on, how much better equipped are you for

the challenges? A lot has changed. I feel like I have come back a more

experienced player. Especially after having the experience I had

last year. And a much better player. I have a better short game, I put

the ball a lot better, which is so important. You have got yourself,

little old, Lee Westwood, a clutch of UK players, and Tiger Woods.

What is the potential of this week? It could be one of the best Masters

ever, probably. Tiger Woods won a couple of weeks ago, he is that

contract. So many men with a chance to win. Last year, it was exciting,

but this year has the potential to be even better. You value your

parents being here. After the US Open, how valuable is it? It is

nice to have them around. You feel comfortable in their presence and

their company, we are sharing the same house, it is a nice atmosphere,

it creates a nice feeling. It will be nice to put the green jacket on

with them here. He left here with his spirits

crashed, but he returns as a major winner, a former world number one,

and a better player. How has improved? He is a remarkable young

man. His parents must be special people as well. The schoolmaster,

the schoolmistress, the folks at home, who were there got him along

the road of life, they have done a remarkable job, and so has he. I am

getting tired of the commentators talking about the 10th whole of

last year. Talking about the failings of all of the players, I

think he is a remarkable young man. He is always balanced. There have

been some great players who have been off balance, but everything it

looks nice and tidy. He is only 22 or whatever. Hopefully, there is

time ahead. It will be intriguing. With the soft conditions, we had

rain overnight, we remember when he won the US Open, soft conditions,

he ran away with it. Does this play into his hands, or my tip widen the

number of chances available to win his? -- to win as? The softer it is,

the easier it is to hit the fairways, the easier it is to keep

the irons on the greens are. Passionate the greens. The rain has

opened the field up. Phil Nicholson thinks the more experienced players

will get a chance. Many people have pitched this as well we Mackle win

against Tiger Woods, but that does a disservice tee some of the other

players. When you look down at it, the UK can lay claim to the world's

We will hear from the Englishman shortly. Looming large, Tiger Woods,

after his first win on the American Tour. -- his first win in two-and-

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a-half years. Pate is looking for a I have so many good memories here,

I am always excited to come back. Most of them are now on the senior

Tour. It is great to come out here, I know the course is what, but it

will dry out -- course is wet. I have more shots than I did in 2000.

It is a different game, the guys are much bigger, taller, more

athletic. The game has become bigger and stronger. But as far as

controlling my game, I am hitting the ball as consistently as I did

then. Lots of winners in the past few weeks. What sort of Masters

will we be in for? We have all got to play well at the right time, we

have got to put together four good rounds. I have played well of late.

It is still a matter of timing. There is no guarantee of that, but

that is the challenge, that is the beauty.

He is back in the winners' circle and back in the top 10. He says he

is as good as he was 10 years ago, but with this wind, his tee at the

same standard as the previous player? No. He was brilliant in

2000 and the early part of that decade. But now, he has a technique

he can use to get himself around the golf course. I watched him in a

Australia at the Open, he's struggled with the driver, but his

iron play was very good. He has an amazingly consistent record here.

He has never been out of the top six in the last six years. Why does

he enjoy this? There is plenty of room here, there is no rough, there

is water and trees. There are no lower branches. He has a wonderful

touch. I find it intriguing that the best player in the world for a

long period has a dodgy knee, which he has had fixed several times.

Unless it plays an important part in his swing it, how would you lose

your swing? Why change it? A year ago, his coach was showing him how

to chip. He used to do everything brilliantly. I think 90% of his

troubled is appear. -- up here. Some of it was down below! It is

great to see him back, but there is no guarantee he will win. That is

the beauty of sport, you never know. Another player who reserves his

best for Augusta, Phil Mickelson, he is looking to get his fourth

jacket, his 20th campaign. He comes in with his best preparation before

a Masters, and he has been happy to let the other's shoulder at all of

the attention as favourites will stop his game can come to life

around here, like when he broke Lee Westwood's heart. He has got to be

a real danger. Absolutely. They seem to lift when they get here. He

has had 14 top tens here, and Tiger Woods, 13. Their record here it is

quite incredible. They will both be in the mix, because they are both

playing well. Something comes alive in Ken Brown whenever he comes to

Augusta. He will be our man on the course, and he is like a kid in a

switch up again. You can feel the excitement. The

crowds are out in their droves. Not much has changed. A couple of

things you might not notice. The eighth green on the bike, -- on the

right, they have altered it a little bet. You need to be a

connoisseur to see it. It always looks green, lush and perfect. The

azaleas have gone past their best, it has been warm. The crass is lush

and verdant. -- grass. The action will be on its way tomorrow, but

today, they are on the par three, enjoying themselves. It is Mark

Davis. It is 16 years since we had a home-

grown winner of the green jacket, but with so many of the UK players

in higher-ranking positions, there has never been a better time to put

that right. The challenge is spearheaded by two Englishman,

hoping to follow in the footsteps Last year was a lot of fun. Every

shot, you heard a roar. It was the loudest Sunday I have ever been a

part of in golf. They got it just right with the set-up. It made for

a fantastic viewing for the fans, but also for the players as well.

look forward to play in this tournament, I feel the course suits

me, and I enjoy it. I can see as a way around the golf course. -- I

can see a way. Five tournaments in the last 14 months, I have this

huge amount of confidence. I have won tournaments not playing my best.

I have been able to close tournaments out. When I have had

the chance, I had hit the shots, under the most extreme pressure.

Majors is an extra pressure, but I am feeling good about where I am.

wish everybody was playing rubbish! But everybody is playing well and

winning tournaments, and it is an exciting time for golf. It seems to

lend itself to a good finishes and great back nines, that is how they

so to tap, so there are opportunities to make birdies and

eagles, and opportunities for A lot of us are winning tournaments

and it is time we want a couple of Major's. For all their amazing

golfing achievements, there is one missing piece of this golfing

Jigsaw and it is a Major title. What pressure does it exert on

them? I think for Lee Westwood, as he approaches 40, the pressure

grows. He has come close so many times. I think Luke Donald, who

comes in here with the perfect preparation, he started the year it

slowly, but his win at tradition was fantastic. He has a perfect

game and has been focusing on this, as has Lee Westwood. When you look

at the statistics, only four times in the last 26 years has the man

who has been in possession of the No. 1 ranking won the Masters title.

It is quite extraordinary. Augusta is like that. Rankings do not count.

It is how you play. If you do not putt well, you have no chance of

winning. Now, Lee Westwood looks in the best physical shape we have

seen him. For you, what has been the missing ingredient? Could it be

he's a short game? I don't get mixed up in all this mumbo-jumbo

that if you do not win one of the Majors you are a lesser person. I

can give you half a dozen names of people who have won a Major and

they are not among the best in the world. Lee Westwood has the game

for it, but what people tend to forget, you have to have luck.

There was a film on the other night, it reminded me a of how much you

depend on luck. At some point in the game, the winner will think, I

got away with that. If it was easy, then anyone could do it. It's just

not like that. There are some 15 British and Irish players in this

You look at some of that list, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose, they

are the favourites. Justin Rose has been practising well. He comes to

this event absolutely on the money to do well. They are all covered in

a green jacket, but the man in possession is South Africa's Charl

Schwartzel, who produced that fantastic finish. He has proved a

very impressive player under pressure ever since and he is one

of several internationals who could yet win another green jacket here.

When you consider who of the international players might make a

hit here, you have to stop with the current winner. The way in Charl

Schwartzel's closed it out is classed as one of the best ever

closing out. Could he possibly joined Nicky Faldo and Tiger Woods?

Baps the two Australians will feature. - but perhaps. Ernie Els

might not have received an invitation, but there is another

South African who finished third in Houston last week. His Masters

record is less than impressive. An invitation that was granted to the

Japanese player Becks the question whether or not he can deal with the

pressure. And look out for KJ Choi. Can he contender again?

Charl Schwartzel it featured heavily at the champions' dinner on

Tuesday night. An exclusive gathering. Beat reigning champion

get to pick the menu and he picked up a South African barbecue. That

menu has got to beat up their whips Sandy Lyle's haggis, parsnips and

potatoes. The big three will be our honorary starters in the morning,

but thereafter the serious business begins. Let us look at some of the

keep times in which the star names will be going out. Dash back key

That is a pretty even spread of the top names throughout the day, but

rather surprisingly, Rory McIlroy and Mickleson Going Out lake.

think it is for TV reasons. Also for the spectators. They don't open

the gates until 8 o'clock in the morning. We open our gates at the

Open at 5:30am. They can watch class players all day long, named

players, great players, that is one of the reasons why. The drop then

is reversed. So if you are off at 2 o'clock, then you are off at 10

o'clock the next day. The it is a long wait for them there, isn't it?

It is. Hopefully it will be a sunny day. It can be nerve-racking

waiting until the end of the day. They are all after the coveted

green jacket, but the title none of them want any year here at the

Augusta is the winner of the Annual par three tournament.

Big crowds are all part of the Masters. The players last

opportunity to have some fun, play the odd trick shot, the odd

celebrity caddie. Two years ago, I caddied for Lee Westwood. He

finished second. Even then I thought he had his game face on. We

all saw Rory McIlroy lose his mentality. His eyes were down. I

have a funny feeling he has learned from that. On Sunday afternoon, one

player will be measured up for that green jacket.

And here is how you can enjoy the We will have all the action on 5

Live and then we are live on television for coverage of a hold -

- of the whole weekend's play. The final round is live from 7pm on

Sunday evening. Definitely not to be missed, and the BBC website will

have all the information from Augusta. Money whether now this,

gentlemen. I hope it is one of our words. I know people be it is a

waste of time selecting them, but I hope it is one of hours or a

European. Perhaps the young amateur who does not speak a word of

English. I think I am going for Justin Rose. He has done his time

and his game is in good shape. It could not be nicer, couldn't it?

Anyone can win. It really is pointless trying to predict a gusto

because after last year with that unbelievable finish, well, anything

can happen. In fact, in the cold light of day 12 months on, how

refreshing it would be to review last year's action of a finish that

has super sire -- superseded anything that any of us had ever

The quite a Saturday morning. The time to anticipate the stories this

weekend will tell. Players smiling. Relaxing in the warmth of spring.

Children collecting autographs. 36 holes to play. Mickleson looking to

He settles for 71 and finishes well short in his title defence. Fred

Couples having some difficulty. He shoots 72. The highlight in a round

of 74. How will 21-year-old nerds hold up today for leader Rory

KJ Choi, in trouble at seven. He He shoots 60 it. Is this a dream or

is it really happening? I hope it's not a dream. It is not. You are

doing great. Adam Scott is making a He is 11-under par. More movers - a

67 from Angel Cabrera. Luke Donald two more at 12 and 15. He ties

Cabrera for second place. Tiger's A round of 74, and a tie for ninth.

Rory McIlroy, tied for the lead. Chatting at the 13th hole. Rory

Birdie. But Jason Day needs this to save par. With a two-shot lead,

Rory McIlroy goes for the green at This. 17. -- this, 17. They were

waiting for that all day! Incredible! Going into the final

round with a four-shot lead, it 25 years ago, Jacques up to his

caddie, how far do you think a The three went a long way. At 16,

his caddie said, be right. He said, It was the 50th Masters. Jack

Nicklaus made it one we will never forget. 50 years ago to this day,

Gary Player took the lead in the 25th Masters. Then, Arnold Palmer

charged and only needed a par on the last to win. But his bunker

shot was well over the green. He had this to force a play-off. When

it missed, Gary Player was the first in a long line of

Today, the final round of the 75th Masters. Large galleries. Great

players. Perhaps of the future. Definitely of the present. And, the

21-year-old who, despite his lead, had every reason to be nervous.

Today will be the most important single round for his life. If he

can win today, this will enable him to win it a lot of major

championships. We have a lot of guys, including Charl Schwartzel,

that I am also pulling four. We have a fascinating day. How fragile

is a four-stroke lead? From his opening shot, Rory McIlroy's lasted

31 minutes. Charl Schwartzel at the I have never heard a roar that

loud! It was a great way to start. A birdie, three strokes back. Rory

McIlroy for par at the first. A bogey. A two shot lead. Charl

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A birdie putt to Paul Wood in four off the lead. -- to pull within

four. The birdie at seven. Three back. The second shot at the far --

Steve roars echoing across the Golf course. An eagle putt to go 10

under. Another roll. Tiger Woods It is a busy afternoon behind the

scenes. Multiple live feeds and highlights on the website,

delivered to mobile devices and a new app for the iPad, which

includes the live TV broadcast, enhanced by interactive leader

boards telling the amazing story unfolding. Charl Schwartzel bogeys

the fourth hole and draws little attention as he moves quietly

through the first nine. Adam Scott makes another move at the seventh

and 8. His approaches set up birdies, and he is nine under par.

He is paired with Jason Day. He also birdies the eighth, and he is

eight under. After a Rory McIlroy bogey at five, Tiger Woods is tied

for the lead, and he makes par at 10 and 11. Rory McIlroy at the

seventh, looking for his first birdie of the day. He is back in

front, by one shot. Tiger Woods at 121. -- 12. He drops two back. KJ

A birdie, 10 under. He is paired with Charl Schwartzel, who has this

the day. If the older same is true that the Masters begins on the

second nine Sunday, this was shaping up to be the most populated

and unpredictable finish in Masters history. At least eight players

still in contention for the Green jacket. Then, with one swing on the

10th tee, Rory McIlroy's game deserted him. His drive hit a tree

and land it when nobody had ever seen a golf ball during the Masters.

Akin to play. -- back into play. He hit a tree with his fourth. He made

a triple bogey seven. He then shot I hit a poor tee shot, and it

unravelled from there. He is a young player, he will bounce back,

I am sure. It can happen here, very easily, it does not take much.

Little, now one off the lead. -- Luke Donald. 12 was a killer, I

pushed it with a nine iron and they paid the penalty. He double bogey.

Adam Scott and Tiger Woods putting to tie the lead. The roar for Adam

Scott's birdied just as Tiger Woods is strokes his putt, and he misses.

Jason Day for birdie at 12. One have held the lead at different

times, and the key would seem to be right, it is deep, a good spot. He

is trying to hit a high cut. He is A new name on the leader board, Bo

Van Pelt at 13. Tiger Woods with a He made birdie, and he tied the

lead. KJ Choi, after a tee shot over the green at 12, has this for

par. He falls one shot behind. He will have another chance for the

outright lead. Yet another man moves into contention, Geoff Ogilvy,

he birdies 12, 13, 14, and he sets up another at 15, to move within

one shot of the lead. Tiger Woods to the 16th green, and a birdie

Jason Day for birdie at 13. A five- no more par fives, but everybody

else has at least one to play. Nine meant still in the hunt. -- nine

Angel Cabrera drops out of the lead. Geoff Ogilvy hit his tee shot at 16.

I birdied 15, and thought, I am in this now. He made his fifth in a

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tight at the top was about to end. -- tie at the top was about to end.

within two shots of the lead with just two holes left. Adam Scott

with a chance to add to his lead. at 13. That is not even an easy to

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green in a good frame of mind, even control of Masters Sunday. -- kind

possession of the League now is Adam Scott. Three holes to play and

now at six players -- six players. Scott at 17 makes a mistake and

Hawks's his tee-shot into a green has an awkward stance at 18. He

it's a great shop macro, but has the bad luck to hit the flagstick

and roll off the green. -- it is a great shot. It did not bother him.

He finished tied with Woods and Ogilvy. Adams ended up in the

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to watch. He is a feisty competitor. That was a beautiful birdie. That

was a nice rhythm all the way. from where he was. Beautifully

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Leigh-on-Sea. -- you have got to knowing exactly where they stand. -

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South African. 130 yards back in 2011! And 25 years ago, Jack

Nicklaus closed eagle, birdie, birdie. I played well today and

that is all I can ask for. I'm not leaving with any regrets. I played