What’s that they say about April showers bring May flowers?
The amount of rain that has befallen Augusta National has turned the 2023 Masters into one of the craziest in tournament history.
I have to applaud the spectators lining the galleries. How much of a fan of golf and, in particular, this historic tournament must you be to want to stand or sit through the tournament when you’re soaked and cold?
Watching the Masters on TV in the comfort of my own home, I could only shake my head.
The officials wisely suspended play at 3:15 to stop the insanity.
What else can you possibly call it?
Let’s put it this way – CBS Sports started its main coverage at 3 and shortly thereafter it was over.
As host Jim Nantz said, “It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
It was already a long day on Saturday after rain suspended play on Friday.
So what should we expect on Sunday, presumably when the tournament concludes after two days of suspended play and someone is given the coveted green jacket?
Well, unless something miraculous happens, Brooks Koepka (Srixon Z-Star) will be wearing it. He goes into Sunday with a four-stroke lead over Jon Rahm (Callaway Chrome Soft X).
You have Koepka, from LIV Golf, and Rahm representing the PGA Tour.
Koepka was one of the top players on the PGA Tour before he defected last year to LIV, cashing in on an offer because he’d lost his confidence, as he expressed on the Netflix documentary Full Swing. He came into the 2023 Masters fresh off a LIV win, finally feeling physically healthy after overcoming a knee issue.
I can’t wait to see how all of this drama will be presented when season two of Full Swing is aired. I didn’t think there would be enough material for a second season, but so much has happened so far in the 2023 Masters with 24 holes to play.
If Koepka wins, it will be a huge victory for LIV.
It will also fuel more of the enmity between LIV and the PGA Tour and the supporters of both.
It will be interesting to see how Rahm fares? He started off the year on fire but cooled off heading into the Masters. If he goes on a heater and Koepka goes cold, it will be a thrilling finish.
MORE TIGER TIME: Tiger Woods (Bridgestone Tour B XS) made the cut at three-over par, the 23rd consecutive year he is playing in the final 36 holes in the Masters.
You had to feel sorry for him, hobbling on one leg, clearly battling the various infirmities he’s had, in the uncomfortable playing conditions.
He matched Fred Couples (Bridgestone Tour B RXS), who also had 23 consecutive Masters appearances.
He did so at age 63.
Couples still has game, at least in the Masters, which he won back in 1992.
Amazing to still see him play.
