Seeing What It Can Really Do

It seems like the American media - not just CBS - is deathly afraid of criticizing the setup at Augusta National. But, take a look at this Sydney Morning Herald article in which the reporter discusses some player quotes that slam the course as a joke. I was listening to a radio interview with The Golf Channel's Rich Lerner the other day on a DC area station and he was asked if they players thought the setup was unfair. Lerner's response? "Absolutely not." So, someone is lying here and I'm more inclined to believe the Australian media.

No one expected this week to unfold this way in terms of scoring. But the reality is that the course alterations (some may call butchery) and their impact were never really felt until this week. It is the usual at Augusta that there are calmer winds, some precipitation, and weather conditions that promote a softer golf course - one susceptible to birdies. This week, though, there has been a lot of wind, no rain, and cold temperatures. The conditions have finally allowed for the setup to show what it really can do when unleashed.