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This story has to be about the controversy raging over the treatment of the drop that Tiger took on the 15th hole of the second round, after his perfect pitch shot had ricocheted off the pin and bounced into the creek. The atmosphere is thick with many opinions flying around on the subject, from great past and present tour players, and rules experts from around the world, including our own Prakash Bhandari at the Delhi Golf Club. The Tournament Committee exercised the right accorded to them under existing rules to waive the disqualification penalty on Tiger and instead award him a 2-stroke penalty; the ultra-purists argue the nature of the infraction was cause enough for disqualification and it is because of the stature of Tiger Woods, and because of the prospect of considerable loss of TV viewership, that he has been let off. This argument will persist for a long time but a cold fact is that an uncompromising Augusta National Club has taken a fair decision in their view and will not back down. Further, nobody can accuse them of being overly commercial for they could easily double their income by allowing the sale of more tickets, permitting sponsorships within the premises, increasing the price of beer and food during the tournament period and, of course, allowing telecasting the entire event for its full duration. But they do not do so because being different adds to the mystique of the Masters, as surely will this happening. Some commentators are concerned that rules should be sacred and that this decision implies there is "Nothing Sacred". Well, of course, rules are sacred but they do evolve based on challenges such as this and then, like any law, will speak with one mouth to all hereafter. You be the judge!
The morning was remarkably cool and brisk, with intertwining contrails of corporate jets seeming like a huge preparation for a celestial game of noughts and crosses. But then feathery cirrus clouds quietly drifted across the ozone blue skies to erase that game, for there was a more interesting one being played by mortals on the most incredibly green golf course known to man.
If you've read Alice in Wonderland, you might imagine the Queen of Hearts had ordered her minions to paint everything in many shades of green. The fairways are immaculate lime green and the first cut is another perfect darker shade; the loblolly pine needles still on the trees have a different hue ,while the magnolias have a deep, dark, almost metallic sage green colour. The other trees and bushes, with their fresh green spring offerings, complete this unique tapestry. One virtually feels pain when some of the players take divots the size of small steaks on their shot (it must be said, though, that the players themselves and their caddies are very punctilious in replacing divots and fixing pitch marks on the greens - DGC members please take note!). Across these magnificent undulating plains are the myriad patrons, attired in their many coloured outfits, creating a kaleidoscopic effect as they move from hole to hole or to judiciously placed food stations around the course. And, while there are roars and moans around the greens, the most used word around the course is Tiger.
He was penalised two shots and is now lying five shots back, instead of really being in the mix at three. He is also aware of the new controversy surrounding him. However, he is completely confident of the decision the Club has taken and is therefore his complete assured self again. He is so lithe, strong and stable and yet walks lightly, as though always poised for some imminent exquisite movement of a ballet dancer or a superb athlete. All his past shenanigans seem completely forgotten by an adoring golf public, who cheer vociferously as this magnificent human specimen passes by them, gently touching his cap in acknowledgement. This cannot be manufactured; it's too real.
While the first two days had done damage to several reputations, this third day which served up the best golfing weather yet, proved a test too tough for young and less young veterans such as Mickleson (77), Bradley (82), Lyle (81), Couples (77), Immelman (78), Mcilroy (79) and others, just when they should have been challenging. Despite the perfect conditions of which only Tim Clark took full advantage as he seemed to threaten the ramparts before settling for a day's best 67, the leaders could only go from -6 to -7, though there was a lot of snakes and ladders-type movement within these numbers. Sadly, the very steady Jason Day faltered with bogies in the last two holes to fall off the lead. But there are three Australians (Scott, Leishman and Day) solidly in the mix, yes the same ones I had derided! In the lead at -7 are El Pato (the Duck) as Angel Cabrera is affectionately called, and the most up and coming US youngster, Brandt Snedeker.
Tiger has gained one shot on the field but if he is to take the Green Jacket, he will have to shoot in the low 60's in the final day, something which the course does not seem willing to yield. The pressures will mount, hands will jam, meltdowns will occur, adrenalin will rush when not needed, testosterone will surface and, out of all of this, Argentina may yet get another Green Jacket, aside from just having got a Pope. Amen.
The writer is the chairman of Mawana Sugars Ltd and co-chairman of Usha International Ltd
