Can somebody tell me why the coverage is limited though? Even with directv and expanded coverage, it still doesn’t compare to the other majors? They are already on 8 and all I get to watch is talking heads, no golf. They show wire to wire of the other majors…
The club controls everything. They limit coverage to keep it special.
Up until a few years ago they never showed the front 9. Sorry…the FIRST nine.
The club has a world of rules that are staggering. CBS treads on thin ice. These are in the words of the Augusta National Golf Club (paraphrased by me)
- first nine and second nine, not front/back. Back nine sounds like backside which sounds crude
- the CBS broadcast contract is a 1 year contract every year. CBS as I said walks on eggshells becuase the broadcast is so important for them
- commercials are limited to 4 minutes per hr vs the standard 16 minutes per hr
- spectators/fans are all banned terms that you won’t hear on the broadcast. They are only allowed to refer to the people as ‘PATRONS’. This is to honour those who attend the tournament. Fan is short for fanatic and that’s crude. Spectator sounds demeaning.
There are loads of other funny rules. The most dramatic example of this is the fact that Gary McCord is BANNED from the property. Never allowed to be on the CBS broadcast.
A number of years ago, the greens were particularly fast and McCord made a comment that ‘the greens are so fast they’re bikini waxed, not mowed!’
That was strike one. A huge strike. Sounded crude.
Another time he said ‘it’s death over the back of that green. Almost impossible to save par. Guys who have gone long there today are lined up in bodybags.’
Strike two, and that’s it. You’re out.
He has never been invited back. Pretty nuts huh?
I figured it had to be hooty…
McCord is comedy! Great quote. +100 for him
Clifford Roberts actually
Watching this RIGHT NOW at my desk at the office on my ipad. LOVE LOVE LOVE this tournament and golf in general.
I cannot stand Gary McCord. Any golf broadcast is made instantly more enjoyable without his presence. Augusta rightly banned him - his corny, repetitive “jokes” don’t belong on The Masters coverage
^^wow I’ve never heard anyone say that before. You bucking for membership?
A friend of mine’s dad is a member there. His membership story is pretty surreal. One thing that is really interesting is that membership, annual dues and guest fees are priced unlike any other high end club on earth.
Ya time n place I guess. Makes me laugh tho…easily amused I guess
And duh, forgot all about that ap! Just watched Bubba miss a short birdie on 11 and kj make a sweet shot keeping it under limbs and get back to hole position.
How I wish. Maybe if I become Secretary of State someday I’ll get an invite . . .
Re McCord, I find his commentary to be, at best, annoying. I don’t enjoy any sports coverage where the supposed commentators can’t take the game seriously. Contrast that to Johnny Miller, who I believe represents the pinaccle of his craft and is my second favorite sportscaster ever (behind Jim Durham). I place McCord in the same lot as the entirety of ESPN’s NBA announcers - they just ruin the coverage.
Now do tell about the Augusta membership story. I’m all ears. 
Come to Cayuga when Primetime comes and I’ll fill you in.
I really like Miller too. Arguably the best ball striker ever. Definitely top 5.
^^ haha gotcha. i figured this wasn’t an appropriate forum for the details.
Day 1 is in the books, and I think it’s worth noting a few things:
-
Round 1 leaders almost never end up winning. This does not bode well for Leishman and Garcia.
-
I think it’s safe to exclude anyone +2 or worse as a potential winner. It’s certainly possible that one of these guys may shoot the lights out tomorrow, but not likely. So probably no Bubba repeat.
-
Among the top 10, I like Kuchar and Furyk. Furyk has a major under his belt (2003 US Open), and Kuchar won the de-facto major at TPC a few years ago (last year?).
-
If you’re rooting for Tiger, he’s right where you want him to be - steady and lurking. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shoots the best round tomorrow and is positioned within a shot or two of the lead going into the weekend.
-
I believe the average winning score at the Masters is -8. I think the winner will best that this week, but not by much. My prediction: -10
Tiger shot 70 which is what he shot thursday two or three of the four times he won.
Even 1997 after he went out in 40 he shot 30 on the second nine for a first round of 70. Amazing that he shot 40 on the front… Then went 22 under the rest of the way to win by 12
^^ I think that was his second best major. I’ll never forget the 40-30. Classic. Winning the US Open with a broken leg still his best.
Btw I take issue with the proposition that Elin Nordegren isn’t all that. I say goddess territory.
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g368/kobe11mvp/image-2.jpg
Lindsey Vonn, u are no Elin Nordegren…
See her face to face in person then get back to me.
Lol. Fair enough. But still, that’s after two kids!!
Tiger just got raped by karma
Just finished watching his round. That was a really tough break. He needs to pick up his game on the second 9 - particularly the par 5s - if he wants to win. Would love to see Couples keep pace, but he’s old and has a bad back. Shld be interesting to see how he fares tomorrow.
Day is a serious contender. Would not be surprised at all to see him head into Sunday with the sole lead.
That Chinese kid made the cut despite getting a shot penalty for slow play.