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Rory McIlroy, in his mid twenties and already a two time Major winner is seen as a veteran by "these" youngsters. They are all in awe of each other's stupendous capabilities and having often played and competed in tournaments are wary that one or the other of them might enter 'The Zone' and pull away irretrievably. Jordan has a lot of support here this week from family and friends, and much more in Dallas itself.
He has had three top five finishes this season and is looking like becoming only the third first-time winner ever in the Masters. But then, 23 other first timers would take serious objection to this view, especially Patrick Reed who is already a multiple winner this year and has unabashedly (different from arrogantly) announced that he is among the top five players in the world.
These first-timers are all wide eyed and agog at coming here to compete. "Incredible", "grew up watching it", "always dreamt of winning here", "meeting all these past and present greats is just awesome", "it's not like a normal golf course at all with all those diabolical pin positions, break subtleties and speeds", are repeatedly heard in the interviews as the players try to disgorge their flood of emotions that will surely adversely impact their game and tournament readiness.
The 9 hole par 3 contest, which takes place on the 1,060 yard course on holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards, has been played on the Wednesday preceding the tournament each year since 1960. Myths and superstitions have evolved around this glorious event, such as no one who has won this tournament has ever won the Masters in that same year. Thus, coincidence becomes a superstition! So, some players do not even enter and while ostensibly improving their chances in the main event, don't succeed there either. In recent years wives, girlfriends, and the children (even toddlers) of players have been allowed to caddy (all decked up in the standard white Masters caddy uniforms) and it has become a thoroughly enjoyed event by spectators and players alike. The spectators throng the slopes leading to the water around which this beauty of a course is architected because they know they will be able to see the best players in golf from touching distance and may even get a photograph with them or an autograph.
In the bright sunshine filtering through the towering loblolly pines, the spectators, moving from one good viewing spot to another, in their riotously coloured outfits present a kaleidoscopic panorama which when coupled with the audio of applause and appreciative roars, makes it a great picnic for all.
One saw Mickleson, Donald and Bradley with their families, demonstrating their skills and, seeing that they missed fairly short putts for birdie, it gave rise to the thought that he who three putts the least this year may well win the Masters. After all, any of them can hit great shots from tee to green; it's in managing those terrifyingly long putts which can easily ensue if approach shots to the green land just a little away from the perfect spot which then roll away from the pin to unplanned distances. Even if one rolls towards the pin, the straight putts have subtleties that cannot be fathomed in the tension of the moment.
Given all this, this year's Masters is going to put the odds makers into a tizzy. Even though number one is out, Phil Mickleson has a potential physical disability in a pulled muscle, Adam Scott the defending champion has already given away a tournament, Matt Kuchar has been pipped at the stakes a couple of times and Jason Day, a serious contender, is just recovering from a thumb injury. All these, and other stalwarts, look to be probables, but the young brigade is no respecter of reputations and certainly gives scant cognizance to the myth of the par 3 contest.
The weather appears not to be a factor as warm weather with only light wind is forecast. Certainly, experience can make a big difference but that can be overcome by excellent shot making, superb chipping and confident and lucky putting.
The author is chairman of Mawana Sugars Ltd and co-chairman of Usha International Ltd
