Nicklaus 'No' to honorary task at Augusta
...but Palmer is 'seriously considering' teeing off only.
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Nicklaus and Palmer share a joke
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While golfing legend Arnold Palmer is considering acting as an honorary starter at the US Masters next week, his old rival Jack Nicklaus said he won't be joining him.
"I have no interest in that whatsoever. I don't see any real importance in hitting a golf ball off of a first tee to open up the event," said Nicklaus who spent a couple of days at Augusta National last week and said he was 'appalled' at the lengths of the holes on the course which has been stretched to over 7,400 yards, to accommodate modern golfers and their equipment.
"I played the members' tees. I can't play the back tees anymore. Every tee I stood on I looked back and saw 80 or 100 yards before reaching the back tee. The members' tees at Augusta used to be 20 or 30 yards (in front of the pro's tees). But now it's ridiculous and it seems, every golf course is that way."
Nicklaus (67) who claims he only plays once or twice a month now, was also critical of the latest golf ball technology: "The golf ball is so high-tech. I can't keep it in the air anymore. As for equipment, it's tailored for power and is making many of our great courses obsolete.
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Nicklaus and Palmer with Sam Snead
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"I always thought it should be a shot-making game, not a game of power. Let's take some of the power out of their hands, so other people can play, "he added.
Meanwhile Palmer (78), four times a green jacket winner, opened the door slightly to returning to Augusta for more than just a few waves and a quick tour around the Par-3 course.
"I'm giving it some very careful consideration now that I have stopped playing competitively. It isn't that I have anything against doing it. I just want it to be the right time when I decide to do it, that's all."
However, he had no interest in playing nine holes as Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen had done in the past.
"My only interest is hitting an opening tee ball and, that's it!" he said.
Who'll be the next legend to call it a day at the US Masters? Is it time Gary Player, Ray Floyd and Ben Crenshaw hung up their spikes at Augusta? Will Seve Ballesteros embarrass himself this year? Tell us your views on the forum.
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Discuss this story
Bob,
As a veteran myself I believe that all those you mention plus others who suffer from bad backs and other ailments and are over 50 -even if they won at Augusta in their prime-should give up their places to young(er)tour players-particularly the bright sparks of the European Tour.
After all, the US Seniors Tour is a fine one with large crowds,prestige, big money if they still want/need it and seniors majors in which to compete!On top of all that some of the finest players and biggest names in the past 50 years are competing: Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson,Craig Stadler, Mark James,Curtis Strange,Chip Beck,Jay Haas(just)etc!
Posted: 26/03/2007 18:02
I think there is tremendous charm in inviting former players to the Masters, even if some of them do not know when to hang it up. I don't think young players are being deprived -- take a look at the 17 or so qualification routes. Most are available to any Tour player -- top 50 at year-end, top 50 by last week, money-lists, other major placements, etc. Very few are restricted: former winners, US and British Ams (and US runner-up), US publinx winner. Players like Dredge, Ferrie, Edfors, Dave WOmack (who?) are in, due to their managing one or more of these routes. None of the people you'd really want to see are missing.
It's one Tournament that, despite honouring success on the Tours, remembers that golf is a lifelong pursuit. It takes in the amateurs who look promising and invites those whose greatness is past but who still have fans out there who remember when...
I hate a great deal about ANGC and its autocratic, secretive and bigoted Comintern, but this is its one vestige of humanity (that and low prices for grub). It is a unique event on a formerly unique course (the sainted Bobby would be turning in his grave if he saw the view from some of those tee-boxes) that still retains its beauty. DO we really need another 50 journeymen, making it just another PGA?
Posted: 01/04/2007 22:34
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