The Tiger and the GOAT

The greatest Masters Sunday. The greatest sporting comeback. The Greatest Of All Time. As Tiger Woods made the turn on Sunday at Augusta, a fifth Green Jacket and fifteenth Major felt simultaneously inevitable and impossible.

It will go down not only in golf history, but in sports history, as the ultimate comeback. However, it wasn’t just a comeback; it was a return to greatness. It was a new start to a never-ending story, and there are sure to be more chapters written; more records broken. Tiger Woods is now one PGA Tour win away from Sam Snead’s record of 82, one Green Jacket away from Jack Nicklaus’ record of 6 and three Major Championships away from Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18. This guy is not done.

If cats have nine lives, The Big Cat intends to use every single one.

The Tournament

I called it the greatest Masters Sunday, and I stand by that. Sure, it had a fairy-tale ending, but it also had all the twists and turns of a great thriller. With four holes to play, FIVE players were tied for the lead. FIVE! That is about as good as golf gets. Three of those men (Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Kopeka) finished tied for second on -12, having totalled eight birdies and an eagle on the back nine.

The course was set up for the truest test of golf, especially over the weekend; inviting low scores on Saturday and demanding a tough grind on Sunday. Saturday saw three rounds of 8-under 64 from Tony Finau, Webb Simpson and Patrick Cantlay and a 66 from Francesco Molinari which sent the Italian two clear at the top on -13. But the Open Champion is undoubtedly best when chasing a lead, and he snapped a 49-hole bogey-free streak at the seventh before falling victim to the infamous 12^th hole. He wasn’t the first and he sure as hell won’t be the last man to trade a Green Jacket for a wet golf ball in Rae’s Creek, but that didn’t make it any less painful. Still, it was on the fifteenth, when his approach clipped a pine cone hanging from a branch and found the water, that his chances were well and truly over.

You know that you’re guaranteed history at every single Masters Tournament, but this is perhaps the most historic one yet.

Good for Golf

You can decide for yourself how you feel about junior golfers walking the course in red mock-turtlenecks and chewing gum, but the most important thing is that they are walking the course. The sentiment of Woods celebrating with his son as he had with his father in ’97 was not lost on all the parents who would celebrate with their children in the way their parents had with them all those years ago. Tiger’s enduring excellence has inspired generation after generation, and now another generation can be added to that list. His legacy is such that he found himself battling past world class golfers who were inspired by his previous Masters victories.

Whether watching on TV, making a first trip to the local pitch-and-putt or winning the PGA Championship next month, Tiger’s return will impact everybody in golf.

Tiger Woods is back.

Tiger Woods – What’s in the Bag?

Driver: TaylorMade M5

3-Wood: TaylorMade M5

5-Wood: TaylorMade M3

Irons: TaylorMade P-7TW

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (Raw)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2

Written by Joe Carabini
joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

We’ve all seen the same stats flying around the golf world in the last week or two. Some interesting, some not so much. However, the one that caught my eye is a first-timer stat: The first time that the World Top 10 enter The Masters without a title to their name. This may seem like a negative at first glance but, in actuality, it’s a beautiful thing for golf. Of course you have Major winners (the Top-5 have ten between them), but we literally have the best players in the world chasing the Green Jacket with that never-been-fed hunger. It’s also evidence that the rankings actually reflect form rather than past success, with the likes of Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau soaring since the 2018 Masters.

It has never been tighter at the top, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Fortune Favours

They say fortune favours the brave, but the same can’t be said for the weather. As a result, tee times could play a big role in this tournament.  The conditions are prone to change from morning to afternoon, so if you’re lucky enough to be out in the sunshine then you better take advantage. By the same hand, if the forecasted thunderstorms hit when you’re out then you better know how to grind. Since the forecast was essentially thrown out the window last year, this is –frustratingly- both critical and unpredictable. However, it is expected to deteriorate as the days push on over the weekend, so the leaders and subsequent late-starters may be even more vulnerable. Remember Tommy Fleetwood’s sunshine surge on Sunday at the U.S. Open? Expect something similar.

European Euphoria?

Whilst talk of Tiger’s fifth Green Jacket is everywhere, this feels primed for a maiden Masters title. Storms have already suspended play during practice rounds, and you know what bad weather means… Smiling Europeans!

World No. 1 Justin Rose, Grand Slam-chasing Rory McIlroy and Open Champion Francesco Molinari will be licking their lips. And so will Jon Rahm. After opening with a 75 last year, Rahm went 68-65-69 (a record-low 54 holes for an international player) to tie for fourth and I suspect the Spaniard will fancy his chances this year. McIlroy’s form has been irresistible all year… Surely this is his best chance to win at Augusta?

European golf is on a real high, and I believe that will continue this week. Whatever happens, we’re ready for another piece of history.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

History & Tradition

As golf grows increasingly modern with every passing second, The Masters serves as a perfect reminder of what makes golf so incredibly unique as a sport: Tradition. The Green Jacket is perhaps the greatest time capsule in golf.

This is a tournament laden with history. Careers have been made, lives have been changed and legends have been forged on the ultimate stage. When people talk about The Greats, they talk about historic Masters moments; Seve in ’80, Nicklaus in ’86, Tiger in ’97...

Augusta

It’s Augusta National. Need I say more? No, but I will. The history of The Masters is rich, and Augusta National sits front and centre in that rich history. Magnolia Lane, The Big Oak Tree and Ike’s Pond, Amen Corner and Rae’s Creek… Augusta is packed with features that have become household names to golfers across the globe.

No matter how good, bad or ugly the golf may be, Augusta National ensures an ever-present beauty to The Masters.

Emotions

We truly have seen it all here. The likes of Greg Norman and Lee Trevino have been tortured on this course, whilst the likes of Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods thrived. The occasion tends to bring emotions to the forefront even before the first tee shot is struck, so come Sunday players are liable to displays of ecstasy and despair beneath the gaze of the world’s eyes.

At just 25-years-old, Jordan Spieth perhaps epitomises the highs and lows of this tournament better than anybody. In five appearances, the American has a third, two runners-up and a win, with his only finish outside the Top-3 being a T11. In 2015 he equalled the tournament record as he stormed to victory, but just a year later he suffered the worst back-nine collapse in tournament history to throw away a five-stroke lead and finish three behind.

There is always room for a twist to the tale. As spectators, there is no doubt that we are right there with the players on that emotional rollercoaster.

International

Golf is more universally accessible than ever before, with broader broadcasting, more social media and, crucially, more international golf success. That’s not to say that the likes of Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo & Co. weren’t half-decent, simply that international golfers are turning out in greater numbers nowadays. Since 2009, we’ve seen 20 non-Americans lift Major trophies and 16 DIFFERENT names etched into those trophies (Martin Kaymer snatched two and Rory McIlroy got downright greedy with four).

In that same ten-year span, America and the rest of the world have split the Green Jackets 50/50. Given that Gary Player’s 1961 Augusta National title- the first for an international golfer- came in the tournament’s 25^th edition (enough time for Sam Snead to win all seven of his Majors and Ben Hogan all nine of his), I’d say that The Masters has truly progressed into an international event.

Improving Golf

I can’t compare golf from before I was born to the stuff on my telly each week now, but I can definitively say that there have never been this many players vying to be the best in the world. There are so many golfers capable of shooting record-low scores. If, come next Sunday, one of the best golfers in the world is teeing off with a three or five stroke lead, that does not mean that it’s game over. They can’t even just close it out with a level-par round and assume that’ll do the trick. “Safe golf” is dead, and entertainment is more alive than ever.

Past, present and future combine for the perfect blend of nostalgia and anticipation. For all the amazing historic moments we can reminisce about, there is nothing more joyous than knowing that more historic moments lay just around the corner.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

Won't Somebody Think of the Children?!

Golf is active, but doesn’t exclude less-sporty children. Golf is challenging, but fun for all abilities. Golf engages the mind, but also the body.

It’s a sport that teaches discipline and etiquette, requiring a strong work ethic and the ability to both win and lose with grace. It’s a sport that can be played by people of every size, age, gender and so on equally.

Are these not values we want every child to have?

How Golf is Involving Kids

It seems that 21^st Century children and technology go hand-in-hand, so the golf industry became technological. GPS watches, smart phone apps and virtual golf games seamlessly bridge competition and fun for junior golfers (and, let’s face it, adults too).

But it’s not just the generic “golf industry” taking steps to involve junior golfers. There are more and more golf coaches and Professionals going the extra mile. Initiatives such as Tri-Golf help juniors discover, learn and enjoy golf after school and during school holidays. These programmes use different approaches to make learning fun, like games and friendly competitions.

The Right Equipment

TaylorMade

TaylorMade have placed a lot of emphasis on their “Rory” Junior selection, which was released earlier this year. Inspired by and designed with Rory McIlroy himself, the golfing superstar says he was keen to design golf clubs that he feels would have benefitted him at a younger age, both in terms of performance and- critically- enjoyment. All sets come with a special edition St. Bernard head cover emblazoned with Rory’s signature.

Callaway

Callaway’s XJ Junior sets are designed in levels 1-3 for girls and boys depending on age and height, with more clubs for the more advanced players (4-piece, 6-piece & 7-piece sets). The new Callaway XT Teen Package Set consists of ten golf clubs for junior golfers, whilst maintaining that more affordable price point with Callaway’s renowned engineering.

U.S. Kids

U.S. Kids use the same colour-coded, graduated system in their high-quality golf clubs and sets. In fact, the quality of U.S. Kids is such that a certain Ian Poulter recently invested in a set for his own son. But don’t worry, you don’t need a Tour Pro’s income to afford a set of U.S. Kids golf clubs!

Lynx Golf

Lynx Golf offer introductory “Blister Packs” of a putter and a 7-iron; an affordable option so beginners can try golf with the essential clubs without committing to the cost of a full set. However, they do offer more comprehensive sets featuring a driver, several irons and a free cap to tie it all together. These are available in a variety of sizes, ages and colours.

Golphin

Golphin are completely dedicated to junior golf. Golf clubs, bags and sets have all been specifically designed to help children play and enjoy golf whilst improving their skills. The British-born golf company utilise a colour-coding system to indicate the graduated golf clubs and sets for different ages and heights.

What Can You Do?

Golf clubs often offer specialised junior golf coaching, fun golf-related kids' clubs and discounted rates for junior golfers. Find your local Foremost Golf Club in the Store Locator (link below) to find out what's on offer for junior golfers near you. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

https://www.foremostgolf.com/find-your-nearest-foremost-professional 

Credit: Sarah Smith and Saffron Walden Golf Club for the photos of junior golfers enjoying the game at the golf club.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com

When you return to a golf course where, twelve months earlier, you were downright humiliated in the final, who is the last man you want to come up against in your first match-play round? Probably Ian Poulter, right? Of course Kevin Kisner lost that first match to the self-proclaimed “Postman”, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The tournament’s toughest group went down to the wire, with an uncharacteristic Tony Finau mistake at the death handing Poulter a win on Friday to set up playoff with Kisner.  The American exacted his revenge and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tough at the Top

Plenty of big names fell early, with just three of the World’s Top-10 emerging from their groups. Last year’s Champion Bubba Watson (1-2) and two-time winner Jason Day (0-3) joined the likes of Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka on an early flight home (or maybe directly to Augusta National). However, fans were treated to arguably the most mouth-watering match up in golf as Rory McIlroy faced off with Tiger Woods in the Round of 16. Tiger came out on top (2&1) despite McIlroy’s formidable form.

How it Happened

With Graeme McDowell winning the Corales Puntacana Championship- the other PGA Tour event that week- Europeans were looking to make it five wins from the last five PGA Tour events. With 50% of the final 16 and all three of the aforementioned World’s Top-10 who made the knockouts (Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy & Francesco Molinari), this looked promising. Molinari led Europe’s match-play charge (sound familiar?) before a lone blip for the week came in the excruciating form of a three-putt on the 18^th to lose the semi-final. It was Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard, though, who stole the show, and not just for having the coolest putter on Tour (from the new Scotty Cameron Phantom X range). He beat Justin Thomas to win his group before conquering red-hot Henrik Stenson to setup a quarter-final with Tiger Woods. A stroke down on the 16^th, the World No. 52 sunk a 29-foot eagle to tie things up before a birdie at the last to seal a win he will never forget. Unfortunately he then lost to Matt Kuchar in the semi.

Kevin Kisner changed his fortunes in the final with impressive composure to ease past Kuchar (3&2) and claim his maiden WGC title and by far the biggest of his three PGA Tour wins.

Kevin Kisner – What’s in the Bag?

Driver: Callaway Epic Flash Sub-Zero

Fairway Wood: Callaway Rogue Sub-Zero

Irons: Callaway Apex (utility), Callaway Apex Pro 16 (4-9 Irons)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7

Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro #7

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com