 "Finally... the green jacket goes Down Under")
The Tiger's Tale ( in this case the controversy ) is still wagging! People are taking such strong positions that if you do not agree with the disqualification thesis, then you are deemed to be unethical yourself. But what is "ethical"? Is it a concept that is fixed like the North Star or does it vary with time and circumstance? In the Hindu system, is not the context important in the determination of what is ethical (remember Ashvathama)?.
Did Arnold Palmer in the 1958 Masters (which he incidentally won) get an unfair advantage when he played two balls consecutively claiming that the first one was plugged? Did the Finsterwald ruling in the 1960 Masters, where there was a clear violation of the PGA rules, constitute a precedent to the Woods ruling? What would the departed legends such as Hogan, Snead, Bobby Jones et al, and the living ones such as Palmer, Player and Nicklaus have said?
Their wisdom, like excellent matured wine (In Vino Veritas -- in wine there is truth!), always has an improving and evolving flavor profile leaving a pleasant, memorable sensation on the palate, or mind, may also have gone down the two streams of divided opinion. Should he have been penalized at all? Just how far did he drop from the original divot? Is a foot legal and 18 inches not? Some say that Tiger cheated; others say that he should have called the penalty of disqualification on himself to demonstrate "the soul of ethics" in this game of honor, and yet others feel that justice is already done through the interpretation of the law, as evolved by the Augusta National Club (ANC) Tournament Committee. At the risk of irritating the traditionalists, I say that we should have a Concordia Discors (a discordant harmony) now, and Peace be unto us All.
The ANC is the most orderly place in the world and this is particularly relevant in a world choc full of entitlement holders and self seekers. Here, the physical facilities are prepared for least inconvenience to patrons. However, to enjoy them, people have to respect others by forming orderly queues in the food line, in the line for the toilets, in the seating and viewing arrangements, in the non-use of cameras and cell phones, and, if you do not do these, you are politely and courteously escorted off the premises. You are not allowed to run or raise your voice, or get inebriated or use foul language. No matter who you are, there is no preferential treatment for anybody at all except for the severely handicapped. Any kind of overt sexist behavior such as ogling or stalking is cause for immediate expulsion. Ticket scalpers are frowned upon and those holding placards in praise of Christ and damnation and brutal punishment for everyone else, have to be a minimum distance away from the course otherwise the city cops, who efficiently, ruthlessly but pleasantly manage the traffic and parking within miles of the tournament, will arrest you and put you away for the night. The result of all this is that everyone is courteous to each other, each person has an enjoyable experience even though some may feel that their personal freedom has been curtailed. There is a lesson here for civic management for India.
First off, Tiger Woods could not get anything going until the 9th by when he had dropped two shots while others had got going. He made a great charge from the 9th hole on to be -2 for the day, -5 for the tournament, but could not undo the damage of the two shot late penalty, his very poor score on the par fives and his very poor start on the final day. Still, he had a creditable finish and it is evident that his life and game are well reconstructed to win a few more majors. No doubt about it.
And then Snedeker who is otherwise in great form, staged an unwarranted collapse, probably brought on by the incessant pressure from a far too inquisitive and intrusive media which caused him to expose his innermost dream of wanting to win the Masters like he's never wanted anything else. The golfing Gods play with such sentiments and so neither Snedeker nor Tiger got what they so badly wanted.
And El Pato meanwhile, the most famous Argentinean duck, decided to go for an unnecessary dip on the pretty, pretty easy siren like 13th when he did not need to be aggressive. He dropped a shot sliding down a short snake, and missed a birdie on the easy par ５ fifteenth, to be seemingly out of contention. Then, against every expectation, he climbed a rung on the ladder by birdieing the 16th thus becoming a joint leader with the Aussie pair of Scott and Day; but just then Day slid down a nasty snake for a bogie on 17th, leaving just Angel and Adam as co-leaders. Now all bets were on again.
Adam Scott, with great determination, built a careful workman like round, climbing the greasy pole steadily with patience and watched others slide down around him. He had immense luck when his second shot to the 13th trickled down towards the water but remarkably stayed dry. This he birdied, narrowly missed an eagle on the 15th and then missed easy birdie putts on the 16th and 17th which were reminiscent of The Open. Winning a Major, particularly the Masters, is something he has been so close to for so long that most people think he deserves it. But, the deserving has to be with He who sends down the mantle of grace to envelop the winner in and that had not happened just yet.
Jason Day who shot into an early, what seemed to be insurmountable, lead by going birdie - eagle on the first two holes, and stayed in that range to be the leader at -9 with just three holes to go, could not sustain the pressure as the sole leader, ceded advantage and thereby lost the Green Jacket, with bogies on the 16th and 17th.
Cabrera, had just driven off on the 18th when he heard the mighty roar just ahead in appreciation of Scott's birdie putting him in the lead. His putt from about 25 feet seemed to be missing the cup when the ball just caught the rim and the ensuing centripetal forces caused the ball to trickle in from the back. The sheer joy, fist pumping and elation to the accompaniment of roars and continuing applause by the fans must have been disconcerting to Cabrera as they seemed to signify a Scott victory. Now he had to birdie the 18th if he was to have any chance at all of winning in the consequential playoff. The FATHER (El Pato) and SON (his caddy) must surely have uttered a silent prayer invoking the SPIRITUS SANCTI, and lo! and behold! a miracle shot stopped just short of the pin for an easy birdie, causing a tie. Playoff time!
It was still pouring rain. The thousands of green and white checkered Masters brand umbrellas lined the 18th hole (the first playoff hole) as though this decoration was preplanned. This was gut wrenching time for Adam Scott because he knew that Cabrera had won a playoff here some years ago and his painful memory of The Open. Both their approach shots landed on the front of the green but trickled back on to the fairway; Cabrera virtually holed out his chip while Scott left himself a testy three footer to half, to go on to the tenth, the second playoff hole. Both players comfortably reached the green; Cabrera was away by about a foot and his well stroked putt stopped right on the edge of the hole for a tap in par. Whatever emotions and memories of missed putts which had cost him Majors in the past that went through Adam’s mind, he made no mistakes now as the ball scooted 15 feet and drained out.
Remarkably, Adam's elated behavior at getting a birdie to move into the lead on the 18th was absent now. Instead, after raising of arms aloft signifying victory, he and Cabrera embraced almost like punch drunk fighters where each respected the other but knew that only one could win.
And that of course was the Wizard of Oz!
The writer is the chairman of Mawana Sugars Ltd and co-chairman of Usha International
Did Arnold Palmer in the 1958 Masters (which he incidentally won) get an unfair advantage when he played two balls consecutively claiming that the first one was plugged? Did the Finsterwald ruling in the 1960 Masters, where there was a clear violation of the PGA rules, constitute a precedent to the Woods ruling? What would the departed legends such as Hogan, Snead, Bobby Jones et al, and the living ones such as Palmer, Player and Nicklaus have said?
Their wisdom, like excellent matured wine (In Vino Veritas -- in wine there is truth!), always has an improving and evolving flavor profile leaving a pleasant, memorable sensation on the palate, or mind, may also have gone down the two streams of divided opinion. Should he have been penalized at all? Just how far did he drop from the original divot? Is a foot legal and 18 inches not? Some say that Tiger cheated; others say that he should have called the penalty of disqualification on himself to demonstrate "the soul of ethics" in this game of honor, and yet others feel that justice is already done through the interpretation of the law, as evolved by the Augusta National Club (ANC) Tournament Committee. At the risk of irritating the traditionalists, I say that we should have a Concordia Discors (a discordant harmony) now, and Peace be unto us All.
The ANC is the most orderly place in the world and this is particularly relevant in a world choc full of entitlement holders and self seekers. Here, the physical facilities are prepared for least inconvenience to patrons. However, to enjoy them, people have to respect others by forming orderly queues in the food line, in the line for the toilets, in the seating and viewing arrangements, in the non-use of cameras and cell phones, and, if you do not do these, you are politely and courteously escorted off the premises. You are not allowed to run or raise your voice, or get inebriated or use foul language. No matter who you are, there is no preferential treatment for anybody at all except for the severely handicapped. Any kind of overt sexist behavior such as ogling or stalking is cause for immediate expulsion. Ticket scalpers are frowned upon and those holding placards in praise of Christ and damnation and brutal punishment for everyone else, have to be a minimum distance away from the course otherwise the city cops, who efficiently, ruthlessly but pleasantly manage the traffic and parking within miles of the tournament, will arrest you and put you away for the night. The result of all this is that everyone is courteous to each other, each person has an enjoyable experience even though some may feel that their personal freedom has been curtailed. There is a lesson here for civic management for India.
First off, Tiger Woods could not get anything going until the 9th by when he had dropped two shots while others had got going. He made a great charge from the 9th hole on to be -2 for the day, -5 for the tournament, but could not undo the damage of the two shot late penalty, his very poor score on the par fives and his very poor start on the final day. Still, he had a creditable finish and it is evident that his life and game are well reconstructed to win a few more majors. No doubt about it.
And then Snedeker who is otherwise in great form, staged an unwarranted collapse, probably brought on by the incessant pressure from a far too inquisitive and intrusive media which caused him to expose his innermost dream of wanting to win the Masters like he's never wanted anything else. The golfing Gods play with such sentiments and so neither Snedeker nor Tiger got what they so badly wanted.
And El Pato meanwhile, the most famous Argentinean duck, decided to go for an unnecessary dip on the pretty, pretty easy siren like 13th when he did not need to be aggressive. He dropped a shot sliding down a short snake, and missed a birdie on the easy par ５ fifteenth, to be seemingly out of contention. Then, against every expectation, he climbed a rung on the ladder by birdieing the 16th thus becoming a joint leader with the Aussie pair of Scott and Day; but just then Day slid down a nasty snake for a bogie on 17th, leaving just Angel and Adam as co-leaders. Now all bets were on again.
Adam Scott, with great determination, built a careful workman like round, climbing the greasy pole steadily with patience and watched others slide down around him. He had immense luck when his second shot to the 13th trickled down towards the water but remarkably stayed dry. This he birdied, narrowly missed an eagle on the 15th and then missed easy birdie putts on the 16th and 17th which were reminiscent of The Open. Winning a Major, particularly the Masters, is something he has been so close to for so long that most people think he deserves it. But, the deserving has to be with He who sends down the mantle of grace to envelop the winner in and that had not happened just yet.
Jason Day who shot into an early, what seemed to be insurmountable, lead by going birdie - eagle on the first two holes, and stayed in that range to be the leader at -9 with just three holes to go, could not sustain the pressure as the sole leader, ceded advantage and thereby lost the Green Jacket, with bogies on the 16th and 17th.
Cabrera, had just driven off on the 18th when he heard the mighty roar just ahead in appreciation of Scott's birdie putting him in the lead. His putt from about 25 feet seemed to be missing the cup when the ball just caught the rim and the ensuing centripetal forces caused the ball to trickle in from the back. The sheer joy, fist pumping and elation to the accompaniment of roars and continuing applause by the fans must have been disconcerting to Cabrera as they seemed to signify a Scott victory. Now he had to birdie the 18th if he was to have any chance at all of winning in the consequential playoff. The FATHER (El Pato) and SON (his caddy) must surely have uttered a silent prayer invoking the SPIRITUS SANCTI, and lo! and behold! a miracle shot stopped just short of the pin for an easy birdie, causing a tie. Playoff time!
It was still pouring rain. The thousands of green and white checkered Masters brand umbrellas lined the 18th hole (the first playoff hole) as though this decoration was preplanned. This was gut wrenching time for Adam Scott because he knew that Cabrera had won a playoff here some years ago and his painful memory of The Open. Both their approach shots landed on the front of the green but trickled back on to the fairway; Cabrera virtually holed out his chip while Scott left himself a testy three footer to half, to go on to the tenth, the second playoff hole. Both players comfortably reached the green; Cabrera was away by about a foot and his well stroked putt stopped right on the edge of the hole for a tap in par. Whatever emotions and memories of missed putts which had cost him Majors in the past that went through Adam’s mind, he made no mistakes now as the ball scooted 15 feet and drained out.
Remarkably, Adam's elated behavior at getting a birdie to move into the lead on the 18th was absent now. Instead, after raising of arms aloft signifying victory, he and Cabrera embraced almost like punch drunk fighters where each respected the other but knew that only one could win.
And that of course was the Wizard of Oz!
The writer is the chairman of Mawana Sugars Ltd and co-chairman of Usha International