Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
Masters Live
Follow all the action and excitement of the Masters with our team of reporters and photographers at Augusta National as Tiger Woods goes in search of his fifth Masters title while a host of rivals, including Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and world number one Luke Donald seek the famous green jacket for themselves.
McIlroy and Woods still have reasons to be positive
One of the most riveting final rounds at the Masters left Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy dealing with bitter disappointment, although they each appear to have bright prospects going forward.
Woods, without a tournament win for nearly 17 months, looked like the Tiger of old as he charged into contention over the front nine at Augusta National on Sunday, banishing any thought he might be a spent force.
He may have stalled in his title bid after the turn as his putter cooled but his inspired form from tee to green, which sparked trademark Tiger roars across the course, suggested a 15th major victory could be on the immediate horizon.
Britain’s McIlroy will almost certainly take longer to come to terms with his major heartache, having suffered one of the worst final-round collapses of all time in a grand slam event.
The 21-year-old, touted as a future world number one, led by four strokes going into the last day at Augusta National before tumbling out of contention with an eight-over-par 80 that was almost unbearable to watch.
Having produced remarkably mature golf well beyond his years over the first three rounds, McIlroy let a first green jacket slip through his hands as he missed several short putts early on before succumbing to a snap left hook.
Yet the brave and honest way in which the Northern Irish prodigy faced up to the media after enduring one of his worst days on a golf course suggested he is a characterful player who will rebound.
Tiger Woods at the U.S. Masters – live
Tiger Woods returned from a five-month absence with a blistering first round at the U.S. Masters and we continue to live blog his bid for another win here. Join us for hole-by-hole coverage, commentary, discussion and on-the-spot analysis from the Augusta National.
Why are sports writers, bloggers and readers still discussing Tiger Woods. Look, the guy’s career should be over. The media and golf world should ignore him. I think he needs psychological help. It is not possible to just ‘change’ overnight. It will take years. I think most of of the sports blogs listed on http://www.dozensports.com are covering Tiger’s comeback prematurely. He will not be a champ for a long time, he has to sort his head out first.
Tiger back to face the media — but is it too soon?
The eyes of the golfing world will be firmly fixed on Augusta National at 1400 local (1900 GMT) on Monday when four-times champion Tiger Woods faces the media ahead of his highly anticipated return to competition at this week’s U.S. Masters.
It will be the first appearance at a news conference by the disgraced American world number one since his private life unravelled at the end of last year amid revelations he had a string of extra-marital affairs.
Woods made a carefully managed public appearance with family and friends at the PGA Tour headquarters on Feb. 19, saying he was sorry for cheating on his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, with whom he has two small children, and that he was undergoing therapy.
He finally took questions from the media in two five-minute interviews with the Golf Channel and ESPN last month, although he has not yet been exposed to the scatter-gun approach of a wide-ranging news conference.
That will all change on Monday but Woods, who has always enjoyed a fair measure of control over his interviews, may not feel inclined to answer every question lobbed at him in the genteel surrounds of Augusta National.
At the very least, the golfing media will at last have their first opportunity to put the 14-times major winner on the spot since his startling fall from grace nearly five months ago.
What sort of reaction can Tiger expect?
The world’s number one golfer has finally announced his comeback date but it is unclear whether Tiger is completely out of the Woods yet.
Woods told ESPN on Sunday that he didn’t have a clue what sort of reception he would get from the galleries on his return at next month’s U.S. Masters, admitting he was a “little nervous” about the prospect.
British bookmakers Ladbrokes have been quick to respond to the American’s television interview with a wide-range of betting suggestions.
Among the odds on offer is 5-1 on Woods being booed on the first tee at Augusta National.
Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: “The eyes of the world will be on Tiger and any indiscretion will be pounced on as he continues his rehabilitation.”
Woods is also a heavy favourite at 3-1 to win the coveted Green Jacket while it is an 8-1 chance that he misses the cut.
Among the less likely scenarios, the 14-times major champion is considered a 25-1 shot to kiss an anonymous blonde (not counting John Daly) and 500-1 to fight a fan.
Golf fans being the decent sort wont give him any bother. The clicks of camera lenses, which used to annoy him anyway, will now be quadrupled at the tees however
Is Woods right to return at the Masters?
The long wait is nearly over. Tiger Woods, missing from golf since allegations about his private life emerged late last year, will return to the sport at the U.S. Masters tournament in early April and start the long process of rebuilding his reputation.
“The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I’m ready to start my season at Augusta,” he said in a statement.
“The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it’s been a while since I last played.”
Is it the right decision from Woods? He is bound to be very rusty but the Masters is the Masters after all. In fact, British bookmakers have already installed him as favorite for the first major back and the player himself is on record as saying he never tees off at a tournament unless he believes he has a chance of winning it.
We have a full multimedia package taking an analytical look at today’s news. As well as the video above, you can click here for our full story, here for reaction from the Tour and the players, here for the view from the sponsors and here for a look at why Woods chose Augusta.
And please, give us your views in the comments.
Why this question He should be free to decide
It is quite surprising for a Non American like me to see such a High Moral Ground being taken in an otherwise, rather promiscuous society.
Such a stand is usually taken with celebrities. People first make heroes put them on high pedestals and then go hammer & tongs at them.
Media too is a big culprit in all this they spend days creating new stars and then months stripping them.
Looking back, 2009 Masters will go down as one of the best
Spectators who were fortunate enough to be at Augusta National for the final round of the 2009 U.S. Masters will never forget the experience as the birdie roars returned to the undulating, par-72 layout with a vengeance.
On a sun-kissed spring afternoon in Georgia, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods led the way with a sizzling display of shot-making, charging into contention after starting the last day seven strokes off the lead.
Although both Americans ultimately fell short of a three-way playoff eventually won by Argentina’s Angel Cabrera at the second extra hole, they attracted arguably the biggest crowds ever seen at Augusta with the fans massing 30 deep around some of the greens.
Throw in a few late fireworks by overnight leaders Cabrera and American Kenny Perry and Sunday’s final round proved to be one of the most unforgettable at the Masters.
Mickelson exploded out of the gate with six birdies in seven holes to reach the turn in a record equalling six-under-par 30.
Woods, although not at his very best, rammed in a 25-footer to eagle the par-five eighth before making birdie on 13, 15 and 16 to surge into contention for the title.
Why does everyone want Tiger to win everything?
I would like to see who is leading the tournament when Tiger is Playing and not in the running. All you see on TV is Tiger in 10 th place . What about the guys who are actually playing well and are in the top 10.
Tiger is the best in the world, but we don’t need to see him every TV minute. No wonder so many people do not like him.
Cabrera wins Masters
Argentina’s Angel Cabrera won his second major title with a nerve-jangling playoff victory at the U.S. Masters on Sunday.
The 2007 U.S. Open champion edged out Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell, clinching the Green Jacket with a par four at the second extra hole.
i like cabrera. always did. nothing against the americans but nice to see somone like him win another big one. way to go, old timer!
On the Tiger trail at Augusta National
Got a look at Tiger Woods during the second round of the U.S. Masters … sort of.
I saw Woods — at least I was pretty sure it was Woods — slam his opening drive down the middle of the fairway, saw the top of his black baseball cap on his second, caught a glimpse of one of his shoes on his third and saw nothing but heard the roar on his putt to save par.
By the time I reach the second hole, Woods has teed off. From the tee box I can see him — at least I think it’s him — sizing up his second in the distance.
Quickly, I scamper down to the green where Woods drives in a putt for a second par.
At least I believe it was him. There is no chance to actually confirm it was the 14-times major winner while standing at the back of a seething gallery gathered 30 deep around the second hole.
Time for a beer — which at Augusta is one of the true bargains in all of sport at just $2.75.
hilarious. i’ve often wondered how you’re supposed to follow a player like woods for a round. or do you just sit down at a par three and wait to see him once?
Harrington in harmony with the golfing press
Greetings from the Masters where spring has finally arrived at Augusta National.
After three days of chilly, windy weather in the run-up, Round One has begun in lovely conditions — the perfect way to enjoy the immaculate layout.
Last night, the Golf Writers Association had their annual awards dinner honoring as Players of the Year Padraig Harrington and Lorena Ochoa, double heart transplant recipient Eric Compton as the Ben Hogan Comeback Player award and Jack Nicklaus for his charity work.
All were one hand except Ochoa.
Harrington was impressive in empathetic comments to the plight of the economically-troubled newspaper business that has led to the absence of many familiar faces in the Masters media throng.
He stressed the symbiotic relationship between sportsman and scribe and said now was the time to push for even more access and cooperation from the athletes.
Yeeeea , anyone can be a champion this time around, if he plays with great concentration , keeping safe and emotions , ingenious and lucky !
regard
bachtiarsa – Indonesia