Every spring golfers wait patiently for the playing of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.
In 2020 the world changed and many sports that we enjoyed were not only postponed but cancelled altogether because of COVID-19.
The 2020 Masters eventually was played but not until November, when the PGA was able to run the tournament with safety measures in place to protect all the players.
They say that ‘all good things are worth waiting for’, and this year’s tournament is a great example of patience.
When the Masters was played last fall, there were no crowds, no cheers, and no blossoming azalea bushes lining the fairways. Fans had to wait 20 months for the tournament to be played and it simply wasn’t the same.
This week the Masters returns, with a field of 89 of the best golfers in the world competing for the coveted green jacket. Dustin Johnson will be back to defend his title and he is ranked as one of the favourites to win back-to-back Masters titles. Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Colin Morikawa, and Byson DeChambeau are also ranked as favourites to win the 85th playing of the Masters.
There will only be three Canadians in the field for this year’s Masters. Mike Weir, who won in Augusta in 2003, Mackenzie Hughes, and Cory Connors will all be representing Canada.
The weather is always a factor at Augusta. The greens are usually hard and fast and if the weather is hot and dry, scores will be higher. The swirling winds can also make Augusta’s very challenging layout even tougher.
They say that the Masters does not start until the back nine on Sunday. So, let’s all find a comfortable chair, sit back and fasten our ‘seatbelts’ and enjoy this exciting event.
Tournament coverage begins on CBS on Wednesday afternoon with the par 3 contest and continues until the last putt falls on Sunday.
Next Week: Preparing Yourself for Golf
Cameron Burechails (Teaching Professional)
The Georgian Bay Golf Academy
