Rose- Masters debut.
|
Golf fans will be able to view the future of the professional game in one match on Thursday and Friday with Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Charles Howell paired together in the first and second rounds of the US Masters at Augusta.
The trio - all 23 or younger -have been lined up at 10.33 local time (6.33 GB time) to play in the group ahead of Tiger Woods, who is looking to claim an unprecedented third successive green jacket. They will be back together on Friday at 1.18 (7.18).
Both Aussie Scott and local Georgia resident Howell are good friends of Rose, who will have a handful of mates in the gallery, to whom he supplied surprise flights, accommodation and tickets when he had his invitation confirmed.
It's a high profile draw for Rose, making his Augusta debut, though he says he's not overawed by the occasion.
However, the main challenge for the title will undoubtedly come from the group behind - and not necessarily Woods. I have a sneaking suspicion Angel Cabrera from Argentina could go close this time.
He finished tenth in 2001 and ninth last year, on both occasions starting with outstanding first rounds (66 and 68 respectively). On a course which will play its full length after heavy rain, he will have an advantage as one of the longest hitters and an ability to strike high drawing approach shots allowing the ball to land softly.
It then becomes a putting competition but Cabrera has the nonchalent style of a player who, when his confidence is up, can roll them in from anywhere.
Among other outsiders I believe can make an impression on the leaderboard come Sunday is John Huston who holed his second shot to the par-4 18th for the first round lead in 1997 (67) to produce the local paper headline : "Huston - the eagle has landed!"
His best finished is third in his first appearance in eleven successive Masters since 1990 but he is gnawingly consistent.
I also have a feeling that Mike Weir could eclipse the other left-hander in the field, Phil Mickelson. He has been in a rich vein of form recently and could well feel a new boost of confidence on his fourth appearance.
While everyone will want to see Rose do well, there will be some smart money on Nick Faldo - three times a winner here. Maybe not as long off the tee as the main contenders, but he's looking leaner and fitter than ever and familiarity of this course is worth at least a couple of shots a round. He could easily grind out a top five spot.
Darren Clarke, too, is in good form and can match him. Whether his new-found speed putting technique will work on the lightening Augusta greens is debatable, however.
But we're looking for a winner and it's tough to see past Woods. Els, Mickelson, Love and Padraig Harrington have all been mentioned as the main challengers but the inscrutable Vijay Singh, another high ball hitter with length credentials, might just amble up the 18th into top spot - just as he did in 2000.
It's another fascinating contest with Rose and the young guns firing the opening salvos and Woods trying to make history. Can't wait!
