Historic day for hellos and goodbyes at Masters

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 1:08 AM Posted by Beijing News


A spiritual passing of the torch took place Monday at Augusta National Golf Club, with legend Gary Player saying goodbye and a new generation of Masters debutantes taking to the course.

Player's announcement that this week's 52nd Masters appearance would be his final tournament at age 73 rang down the curtain on the Big Three era of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Player that dominated golf in the 1960s and 1970s.

"It's just too long for me," Player said. "I've managed to break 80 the last two years. It's getting to a stage where I don't know if I can do that any more. I'm getting old and it's getting so much tougher."

But as the nine-time major champion, one of only five men to capture the career Grand Slam, prepared for his final bow, a host of powerful first-time Masters players made their first official practice rounds at Augusta National.

Teen stars Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Ryo Ishikawa of Japan and Danny Lee of New Zealand plus 23-year-old American Anthony Kim tested themselves on the famed layout, getting a first feel of undulating greens and swirling winds.

"Danny is a great player," Kim said. "He has a lot of talent and is playing some tremendous golf. And Ryo, he's obviously playing very well and he has proven he can play out here. They need a little experience but they are in the mindset to play out here."

That means making the most of this opportunity, not gawking in awe at this hole or that legend.

"I'm not really one to get overwhelmed by much," McIlroy said. "I'm really excited to be here. Don't get me wrong. But I want to try and get the most out of this week as possible so you can't really be in awe of anything."

Player had some advice of McIlroy and his contemporaries.

"He must not come here just as an experience. This guy Rory, Mark O'Meara says he's as good at this age as Tiger was. I was quite shocked," Player said.

"So Rory must now use Tiger as a role rodel and raise the bar. 'He won the Grand Slam at 24 so I've got to move and I've got the game.' Really he is remarkable and the world is at his feet.

"Same as Ishikawa in Japan. Unbelievable. Then I saw Danny Lee. Just beautiful. Great swing. And Kim can really play."

The 19 newcomers in a field of 96 include many who were inspired by Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion who at age 33 has four Masters titles.

"Tiger is not that old, but the quality of golf is definitely getting better with the younger generation," Kim said. "Kids like myself are coming out with our skills a lot more honed than just hitting the ball as hard as you can and learning how to play golf."

Superior coaches and equipment help as well. While Woods idolized Nicklaus as a boy, these new players matured in Tigermania and studied Woods' every action over and over again.

"Tiger was the guy that made golf cool," Kim said. "When he got out here all I cared about was his attitude and what he said and how he got that good. The younger generation feels like they have to have to do the same things and have the same mental attitude as Tiger to be the best."

Woods went through the US college system to fine-tune his game but the new global young guns have bypassed that step and moved straight into the spotlight.

"You give them the right tools. The clubs fit them. You don't have to fit the club to your swing. You don't have to fit your body to the club. All of these different advancements help kids progress at a faster rate."



AP/Ron Edmonds

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