Sunday at the 2023 Masters is just getting started and it shaping up to be a tremendous finish. The players have to finish out their third rounds before they turnaround and tee it up for the final round. It’s already been a long week with all the weather delays, starts and stops. So, whoever successfully navigates amen corner later today and triumphs will have certainly earned the title of 2023 Masters champion and proved themselves the best in this years first major. The champion is unknown, but there are already some key takeaways from this week.
The Masters is the best of the majors (and year) for golf fans
There was some rumblings pre-tournament about which of the four majors was the best related to some comments made by Gary Player. To me, it’s not even close. The Masters sits atop the mountain. I mean, what other tournament would you think about buying a new TV just to upgrade your viewing experience? What other golf tournament would you be recording activities on a Wednesday? What other tournament would you get a phone call from your golfing buddy to get in a pre-Masters round of golf to celebrate the week? You have the Par-3 Contest on Wednesday which produced an amazing fives aces. You have the chatter about who said what at the champions dinner. No other golf tournament has the draw of the Masters. The course itself seemed greener and more vibrant this year if that’s even possible. We know the holes and can’t wait to see how the best golfers in the world navigate them. Will they hit a good tee shot on two and make what should be an easy birdie? Will they carry the ball far enough up the green on nine or will we see the ball roll back down the hill leaving a tough up and down? Can they navigate amen corner without dropping shots?
The four majors, for now, are going to be the tournaments with the best fields
Unless you’re in the total banishment camp for the LIV golfers, most would agree that the Masters has brought together the best field. The Masters tournament has proven that the decisions by the four major championships to allow all qualifying players to compete, has given viewers a better product. It’s increased the richness of the stories and allowed fans to both root for their favorites and even against those they don’t like. Isn’t that what all sports are all about anyway? It’s the players, the match-ups, the stories and the competition. Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls finally broke through and beat “the bad boys” of the Detroit Pistons back in 1991 on their way to championship title. That championship and accomplishment was only enhanced due to the players, obstacles and intensity of the competition among the world’s best. This year there was more talk about player expectations, tour versus tour expectations and who was going to win than I can ever remember. It’s because it brought together the best in the world and past champions no matter their present tour.
Golf is made more special by the weather factor
Unlike all indoor sports and even most outdoor sports, the elements factor into the results and the story when it comes to golf. This year, rain and the cold played a role and added even more difficulty to the 2023 Masters. Even before the tournament started we heard that rain was going to impact the tournament causing delays and challenges. Take the most important golf tournament of 2023 with all that is on the line and certainly the weather factor has taken a toll. Earlier today, Tiger Woods withdrew from the tournament citing injury. Justin Thomas was finishing his second round in poor weather which certainly added to his poor finish and ultimately missing the cut. It was fun to watch on TV while snacking, but the third round was getting pretty rough out there for the players. Before play was called, a putt from Phil Mickelson hit some puddling water on the green and came to an abrupt stop. What other game that requires such poise and precision would introduce an even higher level of difficulty by playing in the cold rain than golf. Rain and weather has made the 2023 Masters more interesting.
Aging Masters champions can compete
The lifetime exemption for Masters champions is special for the players and also the fans. It’s starts at the Wednesday par-3 contest where past non-competing champions can play. This year, an 87-year old Gary Player competed. Thursday morning saw the honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player opening the Masters with their tee shots. The Masters put together a great short video called Honorary Starters: Through Jack’s Eyes which mentions it’s been an amazing 60 years since Jack Nicklaus won his first Masters. The 2023 Masters was the final competing tournament for 1987 Champion Larry Mize and 1988 Champion Sandy Lyle. They both had announced it ahead of time and were able to be appreciated and celebrated around the course. While some of golf’s present greatest players and even favorites to win missed the cut, 63-year old Fred Couples made the cut and 52-year old Phil Mickelson was close to the top of the leaderboard at one point deep into the 3rd round. Tiger Woods made his 23rd consecutive cut this year. Only at the Masters will we all be treated to such great moments by past champions.
Amateurs can compete among the pros
The Masters is great for its traditions and one of those traditions is that the best amateurs in the world are invited to play among the best professionals. It does make for a nicety for the viewers and for the amateurs provides a possible once in a lifetime opportunity. This year Sam Bennett, an amateur and winner of the United States Amateur, proved that they can sometimes compete at the highest level. Through two rounds, Sam was in third place and was not just holding his own but was beating most of the best professional golfers in the world. Sam still has an outside shot at the title, but will be awarded the Silver Cup as the low scoring amateur to make the cut. Perhaps, one day an amateur can win the Masters for the first time. The closest to win was Ken Venturi. Back in 1954, a then 24-year old Ken Venturi, finished second. He actually had a four shot lead going into the final day. He ended up shooting 42 on the back nine and lost by only one. Jack Nicklaus finished 7th as an amateur back in 1961. In 2016, Bryson DeChambeau finished 21st as an amateur. Maybe one day it could just happen.