With the Masters fast approaching, there are all kinds of stories that have started circulating about Tiger Woods and the ‘will he? won’t he?’ questions over his possible involvement at Augusta, just confirming once again that it is impossible to ignore the former world No1.
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Rory McIlroy is perhaps the greatest story as we head to Augusta National, but with no confirmation yet from the camp of the American regarding his participation in the first major of the season, there are all kind of news reports circulating about him.
The only thing we know right now is that Woods has played a practice round at Augusta National, on Tuesday. ESPN and USA Today have reported through Woods’ manager Mark Steinberg, that he’s still not sure whether he’s ready to play competitively yet.
Meanwhile, there was enough speculation that he would play this week’s Shell Houston Open. It is a tournament he has never played before in his career as he prefers to take the week off before majors.
Also, a lot is being made of him dropping outside the top 100 for the first time in his career. Some have commented on his freefall, but that was expected as Woods won a bunch of tournaments during early 2013, and he is now losing all those world-ranking points in the system that is counted over last two years.
There are also reports from Woods’ home club, Medalist Golf Club in Florida, that before making his journey to Augusta, he shot a worst-ball round of 66. It means he played with two balls, and finished the hole with whichever was in worst position. That’s a sensational score on Medalist, and if true, it would signify terrific progress in his game since taking time off earlier in February.
Tiger Woods has a great record at Augusta – he’s played in 19 Masters, and won four times #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/OVyLxeSUeJ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) March 31, 2015
Of course, there was also the allegations by a former Tour player that Woods has been actually serving out a suspension after he was caught using PEDs. Dan Olesen later retracted his comments and apologised.
Woods is obviously entitled to making his decision when he feels he is ready, but I really think he should either Tweet, or post a small statement on website regarding the Masters. If not for anything else, it would certainly stop negative stories from circulating.
Deano’s Masters memory
The Cricket World Cup is over, and so are my cricket-related golf stories with this the last installment.
It involves Dean Jones, the former Australian superstar who has turned commentator, as well as a professional golfer.
Jones, as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, plays to a handicap of +2. He turned professional a couple of years and competed in a few events on the Australian Seniors Tour. While discussing golf as we spent some time in an airport in New Zealand, Jones related his favourite golf story.
“This was during the 1996 Masters. It was my first time at Augusta National, and I was spellbound with everything over there,” said Jones, popularly known as ‘Professor’.
“During the practice round, three of the greatest players in the history of the game – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – were playing together. We were waiting near the 16th hole and there was a massive noise when they showed up on the tee.
“As you know, there is a water hazard between the tee and the green. As they came on the tee, we saw three turtles walk out of the water and sit by the edge.
“I swear this is true, and AB (Allan Border) is my witness, the three turtles were craning their necks as they watched the three superstars walk past them, saw them make the putts, and the moment they left the green, the turtles went back into the water, as if most disinterested with everything else.
“I am sure it was a coincidence, but it was just weird to see them behave like that. I still think they came out to watch the three legends.”
McIlroy’s a UAE resident
By the way, news is now out that world No1 Rory McIlroy has officially taken up UAE residency and his official postal address is somewhere in the Palm Island.
The two-time Dubai Desert Classic champion and the 2013 DP World Tour Championship winner has picked up an apartment on the Palm. This was revealed when papers from his court filing during the case against his former management company were accessed by The Sunday Times.
According to #SundayTimes McIlroy’s main place of residence is the Adriatic building on The Palm. Set to close his UK holding company too.
— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) March 29, 2015
McIlroy loves to spend time in December and January in Dubai, doing his pre-season preparation in the Emirates. He is often seen practicing at the Butch Harmon School of Golf in The Els Club.
McIlroy follows in the footsteps of several golfers, and another popular world No1, rather, a former world No1 now, from a different sport in buying property in Dubai – Roger Federer.
Quote of the week
“We sent her to anger management school so she could learn how to get angry.” – Coach David Leadbetter on his student, ladies world No1 Lydia Ko, amazed at how calm and composed she remains whatever the situation.
