Monday 20 May 2013
Nine months after blowing a four-shot lead in the Open, Adam Scott gained sweet redemption with a dramatic Masters triumph at a rain-soaked Augusta.
Frustration was the overriding emotion for Rory McIlroy as his bid for a first Masters title ended just as the leaders teed off in their final round.
Rory McIlroy was today trying again to figure out the right plan of attack for Augusta National, albeit after starting the final round of the Masters far too early for his liking.
Nine months after blowing a four-shot lead with four holes to play in the Open, Adam Scott has the chance to gain redemption by claiming a first major title in the Masters.
FRED Couples rolled back the years with a fine round of 71 to add to his opening round of 68, leaving him right in the mix for Masters glory tomorrow.
Tough day: Graeme McDowell had to dig deep at AugustaGraeme McDowell faced a nervy couple of hours waiting to see if he had made the cut at the Masters last night while the other half of the Portrush contingent, amateur Alan Dunbar, bowed out with his head held high.
Australia's Jason Day claimed a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Masters, but all the headlines were about two players at the opposite ends of the age spectrum on a dramatic day at Augusta National.
He drove off the tee beautifully and with great accuracy in the gentle rain and then he walked jauntily up the first fairway with his umbrella lofted high in his left hand. Yet for a little, critical time here, Rory McIlroy was as much an illusionist as world golf's richest and most dynamic young player.
Latest pictures from Augusta
David Lynn was once on the books of Wigan and Stoke as a goalkeeper, which, theoretically at least, means he could have been contesting an FA Cup semi-final this weekend or playing against Manchester United. Oh well, he will just have to settle for a spell leading the Masters.
Sergio Garcia leads the Masters a year after claiming he was only ever playing for second at Augusta. Garcia let rip a year ago after shooting a 75 on Saturday.
In all the overheated circumstances they might have played "Eye of the Tiger" when he came to the first tee. But then you probably had to scour the most distant pine forests to find someone unaware he was back.
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw. Golf's royalty has been lining up at Augusta to praise and pass on their wisdom to Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old history-making prince of the fairways from Guangzhou, China.
A year after claiming he was not good enough to win a major and needed to "play for second or third place", Sergio Garcia claimed a share of the lead on the opening day of the 77th Masters.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy go into the second round of the Masters separated by just two shots, but the omens looked far better for Woods than the man he recently succeeded as world number one.
Rory McIlroy might want to consult the oracle that is debutant David Lynn for tips on how to ignite his Masters challenge.
The sun shone out of an unblemished sky, bathing the most gorgeous garden on earth in a honeyed glow. From a spot behind the 18th green the aching beauty of The Masters reveals itself. To the left the 10th fairway tumbles away into the distance toward a shaded green, where the shadows of the Georgia pines stretch out like fingers as if to claim the fairway and drag it back into the woods.
Phil Mickelson has been channelling Boris Karloff in his preparation for a tilt at a fourth Green Jacket. He has created a monster. His Frankenstein is his Phrankenwood, as he calls it.
In a summer when the Open Championship is hosted by a golf club, Muirfield, that does not permit women members the Masters Tournament is cast as a progressive force.
Alan Dunbar may have flirted with the idea of turning professional after being crowned British Amateur champion last summer, but missing out on a trip to the Masters was never a serious option.
It hasn't always been a bed of roses
Roger Federer admitted he had no answer to Rafael Nadal's masterclass after the Spaniard put him to the sword to win the Internazionali d'Italia in Rome.
True Verdict built on her promising comeback run to gain a deserved opening success in the Come Racing On June 8th Maiden at Navan.
Voleuse De Coeurs got back on the winning trail in the Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan.
Tarla readily justified odds-on favouritism on her return to fences at Limerick.
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