Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Masters

I'm thrilled that one of the top 5 sporting events of the entire year will occupy this weekend. Don't disagree to soon about that statement because it's true. Golf is a game that is enjoyed by all ages and both sexes when it's on TV in a huge tournament like the Masters. Not only is Augusta arguably the most recognizable course in all of golf, this is the one tournament that every player wants to win the most. Furthermore, the course is tough and watching the greatest players struggle all week to just stay under par is always fun to watch. Since the equipment and talent has increased exponentially over the past years, the people designing these holes, pin positions, and tee boxes, etc. have decided to take back the game from the players. The story lines around this week. There is really only one.

MGM sportsbook

Tiger Woods +120
The Field -150

That should say enough, but let's remember a few things. Tiger has never won a major if he wasn't leading after day 3. He has also never lost if he was leading after day 3. I think this stat should be completely telling of what will happen this week. I cheer for Tiger every time he plays because I simply love watching his opponents cower and choke on day 4 when they are playing with Tiger. The only way to really beat Tiger is to hope you are close, but maybe one group ahead or one group behind, so you don't have to play with him. This is how Zach Johnson did it last year at the Masters, and also, how Angel Cabrera sneaked out the US Open (although I swear there was something to a golfer smoking during the round.) Is there any other sport where a player can smoke in one of the 4 biggest matches of the year if not in his career?

I don't feel great about Tiger this week. I feel like it's been the entire storyline over the past 3 months when related to golf and everyone kind of expects him to win all 4 for some reason which is virtually impossible again. He already did it once even though people decided not to count it for some reason. If you hold all 4 trophies, you have completed the Grand Slam. The only difference is that you don't have 7 months to brag about it. You only have 2-3 months between majors to brag about it.



Try not listening to this 100 times. Broda and I used to pregame with this song on repeat.


So what do you suppose are the other 4 of the top 5 sporting events of the year? Well, I can't include Cleveland sports in any of these because I would rank them high every year, but the Super Bowl is for sure in top 5 every year and probably the World Series even though this is questionable. If there is a World Cup, it's automatically the best sporting event of the year even though it's every four years. My point is that I can't even think of that many other things I care about more in sports.


Try not getting chills watching this video. Pay attention to the worst speculative statement by an announcer in history. "There's a good chance he doesn't get this inside Dimarco's ball."

6 comments:

Ryan G said...

Kevin,

Being the resident golfer of our former residence I must agree, The Masters is definitely in my top 5. However, I think the old course at Saint Andrews might be the world's most recognizable course, I agree with you and pick Augusta, but many golf experts would go with Saint Andrews. Golf Digest says Augusta is third behind Pine Valley and Shinnecock. With that said I would give one of my kidneys to play Augusta, and love every minute of it.

As far as Tiger goes, I really do think he will be in one of the last two pairings on Sunday. If he putts well he wins hands down. If Tiger does not win, I like Ogilvy, Stricker, or Choi and Couples as my dark horse. Freddie always plays Augusta well and he has a green jacket from 1992.

In my opinion, the real question is what will the winning score be. Johnson won last year at +1, the weather was miserable, and the course was tougher than ever. Remember the two previous years the winners were -7 and -12 respectively. The weather is supposed to be perfect. What do you like as the final score to par?

Thats it for me, back to the books. I am going to try to come out to Vegas this summer and if you come this way lets play some golf and be reminded how difficult and humbling the game is.

Unknown said...

Ice how many strokes do I have to spot you to make it a fair match?

Dave said...

Hey Coach,

I have to agree with you that the Masters is in the Top 5 sporting events. It is the unofficial beginning of the Golf Season and like NASCAR, the PGA kicks off their year with their Superbowl event. I do however think that the Masters is only the second best golf tournament of the year behind the U.S. Open. The fact that the Open switches courses each year brings new challenges and creates more parity by appealing to different players' strong suits. The lighting fast greens, knee deep ruff, crazy weather, and the chance to see some of the best courses in our country at their absolute toughest makes the Open the best tourney of the year. No matter what changes Augusta claims to make, the conditions are always perfect and the course is tailored to the bombers of the game like Tiger.

When looking at the other top 5, I would have to rank march madness on top because like golf, you don't need your team to be in it to appreciate whats going on. Superbowl would be number 2 just because it could be more exciting when your team is in it. NBA finals are 3 as long as the Spurs are not included. Masters checks in at 4 and I guess the Daytona 500 has to be 5 because there are a shit load of NASCAR fans out there. Soccer will never stand a chance in this country, sorry Ice, and unless your team is involved in the MLB post season, you would have to pay casual fans to watch the World Series.

Anonymous said...

Lot of issues going on here:

1. Jay, are you going to brag when you're 70?
2. Ice, do you think Tiger will brag when he's 70?
3. There is no way the Masters even cracks my top 10 sporting events of the year. For example, the top 10 sporting events for me in 2008 will be:

1. Osu v. Michigan (nov 22)
2. Osu v. opponent in BCS national championship game (hopefully UF)
3. Osu v. USC (sept 13)
4. March Madness
5. Superbowl
6. NBA Playoffs/Finals
7. World Series
8. Osu v. Youngstown state (aug 30. season opener)
9. Kentucky Derby
10. Osu at Illinois (november 15, big revenge game)

With that said, The Masters probably falls somewhere in between the Belmont stakes and OSU's matchup vs Troy on September 20th.

In conclusion, you broke my grandmothers vase.

Unknown said...

If you are in need of a new golf towel or perhaps some new balls we could always enter the Mentor United Methodist golf outing. I believe we were repeat champs. No biggie. And to answer your question Mike, yes I will brag until I am 70. Gotta go prepare for a phone call from the girl I have no pictures of. AKA create a list of things to say.

Dave said...

Z...point taken...Last time I checked every buckeye game is far more important than any golf tournament. If tiger loses a tourney, oh well hes still the best. If osu loses, then our season is over. Thankfully we found the missing piece and we wont lose for the next 3 years. Lets Go Bucks, all other sporting events suck, help is on the way...