)
Augusta National prepares the Green Jacket in medium, large and extra large sizes to more or less fit the Champion at the presentations ceremony on Sunday afternoon. It is worth noting that placing of the jacket on the winner’s shoulders inducts the new champion into an elite space that only successful Masters champions can enter. Traditionally, historically, even mythologically, the presentation of a “sacred” garment is earned through great feats of valour and personal sacrifice.
All these values are celebrated in the Green Jacket. This is different from the “saropas” that are freely handed out for even ordinary events in India. For the contenders, the hardest thing is to wait for the tee off. What thoughts go through one’s mind during those few hours; what strange scenarios are played out on one’s mental video can seriously effect the outcome as either positive or anxiety causing negative energies can result.
The spectators, too, are tensed up as they may not have practiced enough retail therapy. They move in droves, yet again, to the main shop to buy merchandise that is branded only “MASTERS” and is neither available at any time outside the Masters week nor at any other venue. This most profitable and successful “shop” in the world, is typified by cheerful, helpful and non-sales pushing service that one will not even encounter in fine jewellery shops. Other patrons line up in front of the Club House at the bottom of the famed Magnolia Lane to have their “free photographs” taken alongside the floral map of the USA with the flagstick in the heart of Augusta. (Incidentally, this is easy and inexpensive to do at our Indian clubs as well).
The early starters are already practicing their putting (“hold the triangle formed by your shoulders and your two arms, and rock the baby, rock the baby!”) as this is the most difficult part of playing the Augusta National course. Ali Sher, my coach and a twice winner of the Indian Open Championship says the same to me at the Delhi golf course, to no avail!
Augusta National is a great learning experience for the pros. Of course, they learn by playing, but equally, they learn from advice dispensed by successful past winners. Jordan Spieth has learned from Ben Crenshaw, a truly great player and putter. Also, Carl Johnson, Cremshaw’s redoubtable caddy of over 30 years, a veritable modern day “YODA”, whose knowledge of the speeds, breaks and bends on these treacherous greens is second to none, imparted that life knowledge only to Michael, Jordan Spieth’s caddy. That knowledge will help Jordan to win, as it once did Crenshaw; caddy skills and caddyship are not to be under rated. This hallowed land where Titans battle for a Green Jacket, which they can never own to do with it what they wish, once used to be the Berkman’s nursery where the famed Sweet Georgia Peach was developed. Since 1934, through helpful suggestions from patrons, members and gleanings from experience, the practice of “continuous improvement” was initiated long before the Japanese made it into an art form. Thus was this perfect setting created. Every improvement is a change and change is always anathema to some. The estate on which the Masters is being staged for the 79th time (per contra, The Open has been staged at St. Andrews, arguably the high temple of golf, only 30 times), will witness yet another major change that envisages the elimination of Berkman’s Road which borders the Augusta National course. Will this eliminate a piece of history and will this in fact be a beneficial change? Only time will tell and then, there will be a continuous improvement curve!
Anirban Lahri played a stolid, workmanlike all par round despite birdies, and even Eagles, being there for the taking. For his first time out he had not only played well but has also got accustomed to US conditions, more particularly at the testing Masters tournament. He has not made it into the top twenty and, therefore, will have to grind it out for the rest of the year to stay within the world ranking of fifty to be invited back in April 2016. Time is on his side and he will surely play here again and do much better, maybe win.
Leader Board
All these values are celebrated in the Green Jacket. This is different from the “saropas” that are freely handed out for even ordinary events in India. For the contenders, the hardest thing is to wait for the tee off. What thoughts go through one’s mind during those few hours; what strange scenarios are played out on one’s mental video can seriously effect the outcome as either positive or anxiety causing negative energies can result.
The spectators, too, are tensed up as they may not have practiced enough retail therapy. They move in droves, yet again, to the main shop to buy merchandise that is branded only “MASTERS” and is neither available at any time outside the Masters week nor at any other venue. This most profitable and successful “shop” in the world, is typified by cheerful, helpful and non-sales pushing service that one will not even encounter in fine jewellery shops. Other patrons line up in front of the Club House at the bottom of the famed Magnolia Lane to have their “free photographs” taken alongside the floral map of the USA with the flagstick in the heart of Augusta. (Incidentally, this is easy and inexpensive to do at our Indian clubs as well).
The early starters are already practicing their putting (“hold the triangle formed by your shoulders and your two arms, and rock the baby, rock the baby!”) as this is the most difficult part of playing the Augusta National course. Ali Sher, my coach and a twice winner of the Indian Open Championship says the same to me at the Delhi golf course, to no avail!
Augusta National is a great learning experience for the pros. Of course, they learn by playing, but equally, they learn from advice dispensed by successful past winners. Jordan Spieth has learned from Ben Crenshaw, a truly great player and putter. Also, Carl Johnson, Cremshaw’s redoubtable caddy of over 30 years, a veritable modern day “YODA”, whose knowledge of the speeds, breaks and bends on these treacherous greens is second to none, imparted that life knowledge only to Michael, Jordan Spieth’s caddy. That knowledge will help Jordan to win, as it once did Crenshaw; caddy skills and caddyship are not to be under rated. This hallowed land where Titans battle for a Green Jacket, which they can never own to do with it what they wish, once used to be the Berkman’s nursery where the famed Sweet Georgia Peach was developed. Since 1934, through helpful suggestions from patrons, members and gleanings from experience, the practice of “continuous improvement” was initiated long before the Japanese made it into an art form. Thus was this perfect setting created. Every improvement is a change and change is always anathema to some. The estate on which the Masters is being staged for the 79th time (per contra, The Open has been staged at St. Andrews, arguably the high temple of golf, only 30 times), will witness yet another major change that envisages the elimination of Berkman’s Road which borders the Augusta National course. Will this eliminate a piece of history and will this in fact be a beneficial change? Only time will tell and then, there will be a continuous improvement curve!
Anirban Lahri played a stolid, workmanlike all par round despite birdies, and even Eagles, being there for the taking. For his first time out he had not only played well but has also got accustomed to US conditions, more particularly at the testing Masters tournament. He has not made it into the top twenty and, therefore, will have to grind it out for the rest of the year to stay within the world ranking of fifty to be invited back in April 2016. Time is on his side and he will surely play here again and do much better, maybe win.
Leader Board
| 1 | Jordan Spieth | -18 | 270 |
| 2 | Phil Mickelson | -14 | 274 |
| 3 | Justin Rose | -14 | 274 |
| 4 | Rory Mcllroy | -12 | 276 |
| 5 | Hideki Matsuyama | -11 | 277 |
Tiger once again had a luckless round with putts simply not dropping; he missed short putts for birdies on 2, 3 and 4 and then it was too late for building any kind of momentum. He also incurred an unspecified injury when he hit a root hidden under loose pine straw on the 9th; hopefully, it will not be an injury that will keep him off the course. The public had thought that he and Rory McIlroy, with whom he was paired, would launch a joint pyrotechnic display but that was not to be. Tiger was outclassed by Rory, who, together with the ever improving Hideki Matsuyama, shot 66 the low round of the day. If only Rory had done that in round 2, the chase would have been different.
Jordan did falter here and there, as they all did, but he recovered quickly. Rose and Michelson just could not up the ante and put any kind of real pressure on the leader. With his lead extended to more than four, it was all over bar the shouting (as some would say) by the thirteenth hole. Mickleson had virtually ruled himself out with the three putt on 9 but he entertained the spectators with a spectacular eagle on 15 from the bunker to finish tied second with Justin Rose. Rose plodded ever nearer to the leader but was effectively parried by Jordan to just maintain a respectful distance. Jordan was often faced with difficult shots from which he never flinched and thereby received the consequential “Braveheart” reward. In the end some drama did indeed develop but the outcome became evident before the last scene.
All records are made to be broken by others that follow; no matter how good you are in your time, there will always be someone better who comes along (with apologies to Son of Paleface”). Jordan broke all the records that Tiger had broken in 1997. No encomium is sufficient. He always remained totally focused on the job (Crenshaw compared him with the gunfighter and lawmaker, Wyatt Earp), did no scoreboard watching and made the first shot count.
For Jordan Spieth, “kairos” (the traditional Greek word for the right and opportune moment for something special and memorable to happen) had arrived. That moment is also the moment when the star spangled mantle of Grace alights on the shoulders of a great, new champion.
Till, next year then!
