The Exciting Par 3 12th at Augusta National

There’s just a feeling that golfers get inside during the week of the Masters. It’s the kryptonite that the plush green and rolling fairways of Augusta National have on us.  The hollow echoes of applause that ring through the back nine on the weekend have us on the edge of our seats, thinking about our own next big approach shot or clutch putt.  The Masters is the heartbeat of golf. 

As we enter 2009’s playing, I remember back to some of my favorite Master’s moments. Nicklaus, at 46, shocking the world. “Maybe…YES SIR!!!”  

Like The King, The Black Knight and The Golden Bear strolling the fairways together one last time a few years ago.  It’s Larry Mize shocking Greg Norman on the 11th hole in a playoff, it’s Faldo routing Norman on Sunday. Couples getting the luckiest break of his life on the 12th.  Tiger winning the event by 12 strokes in his first trip to Augusta as a professional.  

It’s DiMarco challenging Woods. Woods countering with a chip on the par 3 16th that will go down as the most spine tingling moment in the history of the tournament bar none. Anyone who remembers hearing the roar that crackled the microphones, seeing the explosion of emotion from Tiger and hearing Verne Lundquist scream “IN YOUR LIFE.. Have you ever seen anything like that?”  

It’s Phil Mickelson finally getting his major championship. “Is it his time? Yes!!!”  And there is still plenty of room for moments where you root for the underdog, Len Mattiace’s heartbreaking playoff loss to Mike Weir,  Zach Johnson holding off Tiger Woods, from Iowa farmboy to Masters Champion. Jose Maria Olazabal, not once but twice, showing that he was one of the world’s best, even if it was only one time per year.  

What kind of feelings does the Masters give you? Got any memories, And who do you think is going to win this years tournament?  Let us know.

Read original blog post