4/14/08 The Masters, just another major?

Masters- just another Major?

Let me begin with a statement - I thouroughly enjoyed watching the Masters this week. I started with some of the par 3 contest on Wednesday, a little bit of Thursday's and Friday's rounds, then almost all of Saturday and Sunday. Gotta love tivo or whatever brand dvr I have, makes it so much easier.

Ok, now the crazy proclomation - Has the Masters become just another Major tournament? One (1) of the things about the Masters that is near the top of the list for me as to why it is one of the top sporting events each year is the ability to separate itself from the US Open, the British, any other tournament during the year by having the back 9 on Sunday be drama filled. I'm not talking about the drama yesterday. I was waiting for the Tom Petty backdrop of "Free Falling". That is US Open ground, "let's see who can survive?"

The Masters is supposed to be about shot making, putt making and the ability for a hot player to make a charge late on Sunday. The added distance, added trees (and yesterday, the weather) make it much more difficult for anybody to charge on Sunday.

I don't want the winner to score -20, Immelman's -8 is very good all things considered, but the course would not let anybody threaten him. You can say it was the competition, that they did not have what it takes this week to push to the top. Have you watched these guys golf recently? They are collectively the best ball strikers and shot makers in the world. I would venture a guess that the 20th best player today would consistently beat all but the best 2 or 3 from 25 years ago.

I kept hoping, waiting for somebody to make the charge...still waiting.

75, 72, 72, 77, 72, 72, 78 these are the Sunday scores for the top 7 finishers, some pretty decent names go along with those scores, Woods, Cink, Mickelson, Harrington along with some new blood, Immelman, Snedeker, Flesch.

Where was the charge early in the day by a Mickelson, Singh, Casey, Goosen?

Self proclaimed all time great Ian Poulter showed us something on the weekend...all talk, go put your pink outfit back on, get a little more mouse in your hair in case next year there is reason to show you on the weekend coverage!

I am very content with the outcome, a new winner with potential to have a great record in the majors going forward. A likeable guy.

I just wish there was more drama on Sunday, otherwise it becomes just another major...