The Masters, Augusta National. Wednesday Practice Day

Well after over 30 years of watching it on TV and dreaming about being there, it has finally happened.  I am at Augusta.

You have visions of what it will be like, and people tell you that it is a lot more undulating than you think.  It is very rare in this world to have such a high expectation, and then have it turn out to be far better than you expect.



The view of the chipping greens as you walk in the gate.

Security is higher than at LAX, no phones, but cameras were OK today.  I made the most of it, and got to all parts of the course taking nearly 400 photos.  Hopefully some of them are alright.

Looking up the first fairway.  This is how you reserve your spot.  Buy a chair, put your name on it, leave it where you like, and come back to it when you like.  Nobody touches it, nobody sits in it.  There are only a handful on grandstands on the course, as it has an amphitheatre effect to it that is astonishing.

We have another two days here, without the ability to take any more photos, so I will drip feed them in over the next few days.  Today I will focus on the activities of the day.  Some of the big guns were out early, and we caught up with them through Amen corner and on the 16th.

Tiger Woods firing one in at the 12th.  You will notice the black mesh on many tees.  This is used to define the "practice" tees, and protect the tournament tee areas.

As part of the practice routine, the players will hit multiple shots around the greens, working the ball to positions where the pin will be on future days.

Tiger and Freddie Couples pitching around the 15th.



Keegan Bradley approaching the 12th



Rory McIlroy hitting to the 12th

 After watching a few go through Amen corner, Paul Wright (Director of Golf Victoria GC) and I made our way to 16.  We hopped up into the grandstand to get a good look and the players working around 15 green, and hitting into 16.



The view toward the 16th green

Not long after we were in position, along came Bubba.

Bubba on 16.

Bubba teed off first, the ball flying slightly right of the pin, pitched and grabbed about 4 feet above and right of the front left pin.

And in it goes!  The crowd erupted for Bubba's hole in one.  Bubba celebrated with playing partners, then gave high fives all around the tee.



And the celebration continues all the way up to the green.



No need for the putter today

Speaking of Bubba, some of you may remember this location from 2012.

This is where Bubba was in the playoff against Louis Oosthuisen last year.

140 metres out, using a 52 degree gap wedge, having to get it up through the gap, and then hook it 40 metres.  Super impressive!

Wednesday is a day where the players are quite interactive with the "patrons".  Especially in the Par 3 tournament.  One of the key interactions on the course proper, is the players responding to the crowd and skimming balls across the pond at 16.



Keegan Bradley, Tiger Woods, and Fred Couples participating in a little syncronised skimming.

 The Par 3 event is played in the afternoon.  The players have wives, girlfriends or children caddy for them, and often have them hit some shots.  It is also where we see some of the older past champions come to play.



Arnold Palmer warming up in one of the cabins.

One of the groups for the Par 3 had a combined 13 Masters victories.  This was Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

No player that has won the Par 3 tournament has ever gone on to win the Masters in the same year.



One of the holes on the Par 3 course.

Ted Potter Jr., a Masters rookie, sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a sudden death playoff, beating Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar to win the Par 3 Contest after a record setting five-way tie in regulation.  The playoff consisted of Potter, Mickelson, Kuchar along with Nick Watney (who had a hole in one during his round) and Ernie Els. 


Another of the Par 3 holes.

 Well that is enough for one day, I will put up some of the more picturesque shots over the next couple of days.  Lets hope we can get an Aussie over the line this year.