Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Masters. Jordan and Miguel

Jordan Spieth is big news at the Masters. Born in Dallas, went to a Catholic high school, a Jesuit prep school, and on to the longhorns of the Univ of Texas. Just your average boy from Big D trying to scratch out a living playing golf. Or is he?

After the third round (moving day), Spieth shares the lead at 5 under par with former winner Bubba Watson, with a few others nipping at their heels. But here's the rub..... Spieth is only 20 years old. If he goes on to win the Masters, he'd be the youngest champion ever.

Will his nerves, and game, hold up on what's sure to be the most pressure-packed day of his golfing life during the final round at Augusta? Hard to say. Through the first three rounds, he's been the model of consistency, carding scores of 71, 70, and 70. Another 70 might just get him to the promised land of the green jackets.

Despite an early eagle, Bubba fell back a few shots to tighten the field, while others were making a bit of a charge. No one more so than Spaniard Miguel Jiminez, who blistered the course for a 6 under 66. You know Miguel. He's that 50 year old dude that looks like Gene Hackman with a blond ponytail that, holy hide the kids, dares to have a smoke on the course once in a while.

Jonas Blixt is right there, but few noticed. Such is the low profile nature of the Swedes. They just quietly get it done. So is American Ricky Fowler, always distinguishable by the extra long bills on his golf caps. Same for Matt Kuchar, though the special K man with the rosy cheeks and Leave It To Beaver wholesome smile has become known as somewhat of a choker on Sundays of late.

And never count out the guy with the goofy golf swing. Jim Furyk is only a few strokes behind, though his collar has had a way of tightening up on the Sabbath in recent times as well.

Though this Masters is wide open going into the final round and anything can happen, and probably will, any 20 year old kid that escaped the clutches of those dastardly nuns to top the leader board at the Masters after three rounds has got my vote. Just do it Jordan.

But if I was a betting man, my money would be on Bubba. Been there, won that, just a couple years ago, so he knows all about the pressure of Sunday on the back nine at Augusta. Besides, the little dude can hit driver and then a short iron into par 5 greens? Unbelievable.

Regardless, it should be a very exciting finish. And if Jordan can't win it, and Bubba falters, then let it be Gene Hack--, sorry, Miguel Jiminez.

While accepting the green jacket, how I would dearly love to see him fire up a cigarette and blow smoke in the faces of the uppity schmucks at Augusta. How cool would that be? Magnificent golf course and great tournament, but this holier-than-thou stuff needs to be taken down a notch or two once in a while. Just a thought.....

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