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**truebluefan** · 03-28-2008, 12:13 PM

Augusta National, Georgia, USA

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:01 PM

You want to get a feel for what it’s like in Augusta, Ga., the first full week of April? Imagine every Super Bowl being held in Green Bay, Wis. Doesn’t matter who’s in the game. Every year, Green Bay hosts football’s most prestigious game because of their connection to the history of the sport. And since the Super Bowl is only four decades old, now double the tradition. If you want to extend the analogy, try the same thing with the World Series and Cincinnati and the Stanley Cup and Montreal. But for golf: This is it. The Big Kahuna of the dimpled ball. And it happens in a place where the fans and the media and the players and the townspeople all rub shoulders in a town the size as Amarillo, Texas. At the equivalent of a third of the way through the season. Which admittedly, is weird. Of course, the weather in December is even more mercurial. To put it politely.

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:01 PM

Three pairs of comfortable shoes.
- "How to Speak Georgian" handbook.
- Golf whisper.
- "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" DVD.
- White cotton Tom Wolfe suit.
- Stars and Stripes tie.
- University of Georgia "How 'Bout Them Dawgs!" 1980 Championship Pennant.
- San Francisco Harding Park Golf Course visor.
- Life size Ernie Els beach towel.
- Pebble Beach t- shirt to be used as Bar-B-Cue bib at Sconyer's.
- A slower pace.
- REM's new CD, "Accelerate."
- The History of Cotton.
- Awe restrictor.
- Anti-slicer glove.
- Anti-hooker salve.
- Padded polyurethane keyboard overlay to muffle sound of my computer keystrokes.
- A string to be worn around my wrist to remind myself to shut up about politics.
- Prayer rug for Amen Corner.
- Stack of "Tiger For President 2016" bumper stickers.
- XM radio to listen to Tournament coverage and San Francisco Giants 2008 home opener.
- Empty piece of luggage to bring home Masters Tournament souvenirs.
- Money. Lots of money. For Masters Tournament souvenirs and writer's pool.
- All weather package consisting of sunblock, umbrella, parka and snowshoes.
- Six pack of test tubes with stoppers to fill with bunker sand.
- Healthy skepticism for all things New York.

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:02 PM

Well, it’s only a matter of hours now. T- Minus today and counting. And I want to know what you want to know. Think of me as your man on the street. OK. Your man in the gallery. A civilian spy embedded behind professional lines. What is it that we’ve been keeping from you? What’s itching your curiosity scalp? Concerning this year’s Masters Tournament, that is. I don’t want to become Dear Dursty here. Consider me your own personal human Augusta National research tool. Googleman. If I don’t know, I’ll find out. Or try to, at least. People, I’m here to help. Help me help you. More tomorrow.

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:04 PM

A sharply focused Tiger Woods said Tuesday he’s looking forward to this week’s Masters Tournament as the critical key in winning the first modern-day Grand Slam.

The four-time Champion arrived at Augusta National Golf Club intent on winning the first leg of the calendar Grand Slam which consists of the Masters, U.S. and British Opens, and PGA Championship. He won four in a row in 2000-2001, but not in the same calendar year which is generally acknowledged as the Grand Slam.

“I’m the only one who has done it before, right, in the modern configuration?” Woods told a packed media room.

“I’ve done it and I just love winning. I love mixing it up with the guys. This major is so important to all of us. I don’t understand how you can like losing.”

While he is coming into the Tournament off a two-week rest but following a failure to win the World Golf Championship, Woods said he was eager to get started Thursday.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 04-09-2008, 07:05 PM

Fitness Testimony

Many golfers used Tuesday’s practice round to sharpen their game for the start of the Masters. But for three-time Masters champion Gary Player, it was another testament to his everlasting fitness and positive attitude.

“I feel great,” the 72-year-old Player said after climbing the incline of the 18th hole and finishing his practice round.

“I’m fit as a fiddle and so excited to be here.”

Player will break the Tournament participation record with his 51st appearance when he tees off at 8:44 a.m. Thursday with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and American D.J. Trahan.

He said the success of four-time Champion Tiger Woods continues to inspire him to not to stop playing at the Masters any time soon.

“I’m just so happy that Tiger has been successful choosing the same path I also followed of looking fit, working out, speaking well, and looking sharp,” said the South African. “I am his biggest fan and he is an inspiration to me.”

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 04-12-2008, 07:19 AM

South Africa's Trevor Immelman roared into the outright halfway lead of the US Masters at Augusta National today with a second consecutive 68, but the Australian curse shows no sign of disappearing.

Immelman, who began the day in a share of the lead with Englishman Justin Rose, quickly moved into the outright lead after his early-morning tee time, and then rolled in birdie putts at both the 17th and 18th holes to ensure he will be in the last group tomorrow.

It was another disappointing day for the Australian contingent of nine, in the tournament that no player from this country has ever won.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 04-12-2008, 07:22 AM

Just when Tiger Woods seemed about to slip well behind the leaders during the first round of the Masters Tournament, he added another clip to his personal highlight reel.

It looked all too familiar.

Standing a few feet off the Augusta National Golf Club's 15th green, Woods chipped his ball onto the putting surface, slowly rolling it to the edge of the hole. After nearly coming to a stop, Woods's swoosh-emblazoned Nike Inc. ball finally fell into the cup for an eagle and a two-stroke jump.

It left Woods at even par, where he finished the round, four strokes off the lead with three days left in golf's first major tournament of the season. The world's top-ranked golfer is trying to launch a run to the first professional Grand Slam sweep.

``It was a pretty easy little pitch,'' Woods, 32, told reporters yesterday after his round. ``It was straight uphill. The ball was sitting up. I just had to carry it far enough, and it went in.''

The shot was similar to a dramatic, curling chip-in Woods manufactured on the course's 16th hole during the final round of the 2005 Masters. Woods went on to win his fourth Masters title two holes later.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 04-12-2008, 07:24 AM

Trevor Immelman leads the Masters Tournament after two rounds, and Tiger Woods is struggling as he chases golf history.

Immelman birdied the last two holes to take a one-shot lead at 8-under par midway through golf's first major tournament of the season.

Phil Mickelson climbed the leaderboard, standing three strokes behind in his quest for a third Masters title. Woods, the only person ahead of Mickelson in the World Golf Rankings, had far less success as he tries to take the first step toward an unprecedented professional sweep of golf's Grand Slam.

Complete article