Golf Empire

What a finish! Tiger and Phil battled down to the bitter end but ultimately fell short shooting a total of eight under and nine under, respectively. The real story was the three way playoff between Angel Cabrera, Kenny Perry, and Chad Campbell. It was Perry’s tournament to lose, bogeying the final two holes to give Cabrera and Campbell a second chance at the green jacket. It looked all but over after the first playoff hole for the 69 ranked man from Argentina, but he was lucky enough to save par and go on to par the next hole, as Perry and Campbell fell off. If the name Angel Cabrera sounds familiar, it is the same man who won the US Open a couple years back and became a face for his country (along with fellow countryman Manu Ginobelli).

In his own words Cabrera said through an interpreter, ““It’s a course that you can do a lot of birdies, a lot of bogeys. A lot of magical things happen. It’s simply the Masters.” Congrats Angel!

In the pivotal third round, many expected Tiger Woods to make his charge. But after another lackluster round of 70 and seven back of the co-leaders Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera. Hopefully he can use the motivation of his final pairing with Phil Mickelson to launch him into a record setting round. However, this is highly unlikely. The real story is Angel Cabrera and Kenny Perry. Both are tour veterans playing in their first final pairing and both looking to win their first green jacket. Cabrera has had three consecutive rounds under 70 (68, 68, 69) and is looking to continue his streak and hold of Perry (68, 67, 70) who might be fading down the stretch. Also look for Chad Campbell, the leader days 1 and 2 to bounce back from a mediocre (this term is relative) 72 and regain the control he has had for most of the tournament. Other notables include Jim Furyk who is three back at eight under and is looking to make his mark on Augusta today.

Unfortunately, my prediction for a great push by Anthony Kim were a little premature. His third round 72 was not enough to contend with the leaders and today he has started out miserably, as he is already three over through six holes. Oh well, AK, maybe next time.

Not to take anything away from the golf world, but I would like to congratulate CC Sabathia on his first (hopefully of many) win as a Yankee. Pitching 7 and 2/3 innings and holding the Royals to six hits with six strikeouts, was a great return to form. Welcome to the Yankee Universe and best of luck to the rest of the club!

On a wild and windy day in Augusta, more records were set, and dreams broken. Chad Campbell still sits atop the leaderboard, however he is not the sole leader, as tour veteran Kenny Perry has moved in as co-leader at nine under. Other notable players atop the leaderboard include Angel Cabrera at eight under, Jim Furyk and Sergio Garcia at four under, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh at three under and Tiger and Padraig Harrington at two under. Unfortunately for Greg Norman, everyone’s favorite senior citizen and half of the newest sports power couple, his final total of three over was not enough to make the cut. Today should prove to be even more interesting, as it is now time for Tiger to make his strike.

The most notable story of the second round was the amazing and record setting day by Anthony Kim. He was three over to start the day, but after an amazing seven under 65, Kim was able to climb back into the top ten and position himself for a run at the championship. In his first Masters appearance, Kim bounced back to set the record for most birdies in a round (11!) surpassing the old record of 10 set thirteen years ago by Nick Price.

Once again, my suggestions for the day would be to watch for Anthony Kim and Tiger Woods, but never count out some of the other golfers who are within a reasonable distance. I expect a big day from Phil, who is ready to prove that he can be a formidable opponent against Tiger, and prove to the world that he is capable of maintaining his number 1 ranking. Also look for Geoff Ogilvy, who is not only an awesome golfer (currently he sits at three under) but also the snappiest dresser on the tour. His colorful, yet classy sweater-vests are the coolest looking golf clothing since Tiger’s collarless shirts he sometimes wears.

Hello hello and welcome to Golfempire’s coverage of the first day of the Master’s Tournament. Unfortunately I am not down in Augusta, but have been watching the tournament for hours from the safety of my couch. Yesterday (Day 1) was a day to be remembered. Chad Campbell led the pack with a scorching seven under 65, with familiar faces like Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan hot on his heels each with opening rounds of 66. Tiger, who in 14 years of playing at the Masters, has yet to have a first round under 70, shot a two under 70, to put him five shots back of the leader. This is the best start for Tiger in his career at the Masters, so look for him to come charging down the stretch, coming off the inspired win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Other favorites like Phil Mickelson and Rocco Mediate are one over going into today’s second round. And an early update on my favorite Anthony Kim. After a disappointing 75 in the first round, Kim has come out hot in the second round, currently (1PM EST) is four under through seven, putting him at one under for the tournament. Look for AK to make a run at the green jacket and try to tame the Tiger.

Speaking of the green jacket, many people wonder where it’s origins lie. Back in the early days of the tournament, the co-founders of the Masters, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts decided to create an image for their club unlike any other. On a trip to the UK in 1930 for the British Open, Jones saw people wearing red blazers and wondered why. He was told that they were leaders in the clubhouse and if he won the Open, he too could have a jacket. Well he won, and decided to create the “Masters Green” blazers that all the champions wear today. At first it was just for members, to signify that they belonged to the club and could help guests out if they needed directions or what not. Now it has become a tradition for the winner to be presented with their own green blazer after the final round. The previous winner is always there to present the new champion, and is allowed to keep their jacket, but only on the course. The new winner is allowed to keep the jacket for exactly one year, until the next Masters, where he will be the one presenting the jacket to the new champ. Although it may seem less impressive than a massive crystal trophy, many golfers would trade a whole case full of trophies for the blazer of champions.