Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, will lead the Australian contingent driving up picturesque Magnolia Lane on Monday, April 6, for the first official practice day of the US Masters.
Scott will be joined by Jason Day, Greg Norman’s tip as the next Australian major champion, Marc Leishman, Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden, and the current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Antonio Murdaca.
That victory at Royal Melbourne by seven shots gave the 19-year-old South Australian an automatic entry into the Masters field.
Murdaca has been practicing for the last week at Augusta. I saw him play at the tough Royal Melbourne layout where he blitzed a strong field with a 13-under 275. Great golf under any circumstances, especially in the prevailing wind.
Billy Payne, chairman of Augusta National, waxed lyrical over Murdaca and his predecessors.
“I can tell you when these young men come to Augusta to play in the Masters every year, the membership and the fans immediately have a favourite.
“We are so proud of them, they are like our children”.
Don’t know that Murdaca would be chuffed at being called a child, but what the hell, he’s playing at Augusta in the Masters. Right now they could call him anything.
Ogilvy will be playing in his first Masters since 2012, after enjoying a form reversal late last year by qualifying for the Tour Championship.
In the latest world ranklngs out yesterday, Day is 5, Scott 6, Leishman 56, Senden 64, and Ogilvy 109.
Rory McIlroy is No. 1 for the 73rd week, and with Jordan Spieth (4), and tearaway FedExCup leader Jimmy Walker (10), they are my three top picks in reverse order.
There will be 18 US Masters champions returning to the scene of their triumphs.
In alphabetical order:
Angel Cabrera (2009)
Freddie Couples (1992)
Ben Crenshaw (1984 and 1995)
Trevor Immelman (2008)
Zach Johnson (2007)
Bernhard Langer (1985 and 1993)
Sandy Lyle (1988)
Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006, and 2010)
Larry Mize (1987)
Mark O’Meara (1998)
Jose Maria Olazabal (1994 and 1999)
Charl Schwartzel (2011)
Adam Scott (2013)
Vijay Singh (2000)
Bubba Watson (2014, 2012)
Mike Weir (2003)
Ian Woosnam (1991)
Tiger Woods (1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005) has said he’ll play, but hasn’t confirmed. He has been unusually quiet.
And ageless Tom Watson (1977 and 1981) hasn’t said anything at all, which is not like him either.
But these 12 former champions will definitely not be playing:
Tommy Aaron (1973)
Jack Burke Jr (1956)
Charles Coody (1971)
Sir Nick Faldo (1989, 1990, and 1996)
Raymond Floyd (1976)
Doug Ford (1957)
Bob Goalby (1968)
Jack Nicklaus (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, and 1986)
Arnold Palmer (1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964)
Gary Player (1961, 1974, and 1978)
Craig Stadler (1982)
Fuzzy Zoeller (1979)
Augusta normally keeps their Masters field well below a 100, but it might be different this year. Whatever the number, the green jacket is the perfect way to kick-start the four majors.
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