Golf, by TourMiss

Graeme McDowell shouted out ‘Perfect’ after learning he will play the opening two rounds of the 77th Masters in the company of former champion, Zach Johnson and Korean K J Chio. McDowell, competing in his sixth Masters and coming off last year’s best finish of 12th, will tee up in the season’s first Major at 9.50am local time. “The buzz instantly kicks in the second you drive in through the gates as it’s such a special place with the signs saying:  ‘Augusta National.  Member Only’ ...

There was the aging ‘Big Three’ in Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player again playing the Par 3 Contest. There was also Lee Westwood and his mother, Trish.  There was defending Masters champion, Bubba Watson and young son, Caleb. There was players and their children.  Players and their grand children. No, there wasn’t Tiger Woods and new heart throb, Lindsey Vonn. But there was also Rory McIlroy and girlfriend, Caroline Wozniacki.  The World No 2 and his former World ...

Reigning Masters champion, Bubba Watson must had guests dinner crying over his choice of menu for the Former Champions dinner. After his bawling speech hours earlier on how special Augusta National is to him, Watson’s dinner choice showed little imagination and was something you’d probably find being served at the local KFC outlet on nearby Washington Road. For starters there was ‘Traditional Caesar salad’ followed by ‘Grilled Chicken Breast served with Green Beans, Mashed Potato, Corn, ...

Augusta National Chairman, Billy Payne delivered his now annual ‘State of the Masters’ address and announcing big changes to the qualification process for the Masters. However there was both good and bad news for the PGA Tour. Payne announced this morning that no longer will the top-30 players on the FedEx Cup Play-Off series qualify for the following year’s Masters but then the winners from those events making up the Tour’s ‘Fall Series’ will earn an Augusta invitation. Payne ...

‘Blubbering’ Bubba Watson turned on the water works when reliving the moment he realised the Masters green jacket was his to keep. Watson, 34 welled-up and had to take a few seconds to compose himself during a press conference yesterday at Augusta National. The American, who defeated South African Louis Oosthuizen at the first extra play-off hole, had broken down in tears in become the third left-handed to win among the Catheral in the Pines. Watson had begun crying first in his mother’s arms ...

Despite an expected final round collision, Augusta National organizers have clearly separated Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy for the opening two rounds of the Masters. Woods has been drawn to play alongside fellow American Scott Piercy and England’s Luke Donald. McIlroy, competing off his best of the season in San Antonio, will tee up three hours later at 6.41pm Thursday night Irish time in the presence of fellow PGA Champion and Ryder Cup Sunday Single rival, Keegan Bradley and Sweden’s Freddie ...

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is almost certain to contest the Omega European Masters later this year and also next year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic after the announcement here at Augusta today he has signed a new endorsement deal with Swiss watchmaker Omega. McIlroy, who secure a best season finish of second in last week’s Valero Texas Open, will join fellow Omega Ambassadors that includes Michael Phelps, Greg Norman, Nicole Kidman, George Clooney, Sergio Garcia and Women’s World No. ...