First golf round of the year completed on Sunday May 27th! I started the day with low expectations because leading up to Sunday, I only practiced three times. Before each practice session, I made sure to stretch out for at least 5 min. I didn't want to pull a muscle given the fact that I hadn't used those muscles for over 8 months! During each session, I hit a small bucket of golf balls, focusing heavily on making solid contact with my irons. I made sure to give a majority of attention to putting, feeling out the speed of the greens and improving my break reading skills. I took things slow, didn't hit too many balls because I didn't want to overexert myself before game day.
I finished the front nine with 3 birdies, 3 bogeys and 3 pars. I couldn't believe it! Everything was going right, I was on pace to go super low and possibly beat my best score ever. In hindsight, I made the mistake of getting a hamburger and chips at the turn. I was starving! The food through my concentration off or something because the first 3 holes on the back nine I went double, double, double. Yuck! I proceeded to make pars on the rest of the holes except for 18 where I missed making par by less than an inch.
After the front nine, no matter how bad I scored on the back, I was going to be happy. Absolutely no complaints here. Final score 78 since par on this course is 71. I would take a 78 to start the season every year for the rest of my life, no doubt about it.
After his tee shot on the second playoff hole, Bubba was visibly frustrated as the ball flew into the woods on the right. He wasn't upset though, in fact, if you look closely after the shot you can see a smirk on his face. Ok, not a definitive smirk....but more or less his soul was smiling because he wanted the "challenge" (apparently Augusta isn't tough enough). Bubba's swing is arguably the most unconventional on the tour. He is best known for his ability to work the ball left to right, right to left, burn some worms on the ground and send it like a rocket to the sky. He literally has every shot in his arsenal and I think his errant tee shot on the second playoff hole was intentional. "I'll blast it into the trees and get it on the green, Honey Bubba don't give a fuck!" I do think what he did was all part of destiny's plan, if there is such a thing. I think of the players in the field, Bubba Watson is the ONLY player who could hit the second shot out of the trees and snuggle up 10ft from the pin. I mean, I could see an argument for Tiger Woods hitting a similar shot back in his prime, 10 years ago, but not with the same shape-shifting brilliance Bubba displayed at the Masters. It was his time for some incredible shot-making anyways, he had to bring out the magic after being shown up by Louis Oosthuizen's casual albatross earlier in the day.
Just to recap, here's how to successfully win a Master's playoff hole in 2012. First, drive the ball into the trees. Second, hit an amazing snap hook punch wedge under the trees and land it on the green 15 ft from the pin with crazy hook spin to go against the grain and roll TOWARDS the cup. Third, sink 2 ft putt for victory. Fourth, cry a small body of water into your caddy's shoulder. Fifth, wave at the bright lights as the green jacket warms your body.
Even though I'm giving you a tough time now, I wanted you to win all weekend. Congratulations, Bubba Watson! Your official first date with destiny will forever be remembered on April 8th 2012.
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