Wednesday, January
30, 2002
Augusta might be
too long for the over-the-hill gang
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
One of the traditions
that makes the Masters unlike any other major is participation
by its past champions for as long as they like.
That leads to some
rare appearances in a major by Doug Ford, Arnold Palmer and Gay
Brewer. But now that Augusta National is tougher than ever, some
of the past champions might want to gracefully bow out rather
than get embarrassed.
"I honestly
think some of the guys won't play," Tiger Woods said. "If
we get a cool, north wind _ which we can get _ it's not inconceivable
over par will win. So, I think some of the guys are going to have
to quit."
Jack Nicklaus said
as much recently when asked if was worried the changes, which
feature nearly 300 extra yards and expanded bunkers, might make
him or some of the older players look foolish.
"I certainly
want to play there, but I don't want to make a fool of myself
either," said Nicklaus, a six-time champion who turned 62
last month.
Gary Player told
Golf World magazine he is using this year's Masters as a test
case for whether he will return.
"I'm in favor
of what Augusta is doing, but it's going to kill me, kill Jack
and eventually kill Raymond (Floyd)," he said. "It's
going to hurt a lot of guys who have won the Masters and who are
seniors now. Jack nearly won the dang thing a couple of years
ago, and I made the cut at 62. But as Jack so correctly said,
our time has passed."
Woods said he loves
to see Palmer in the field because "he's the king."
But would he enjoy
seeing Palmer, who shot in the 80s last year in a senior tour
event, struggle to post a score that could approach triple digits?
"As a fan of
Arnold Palmer, I don't want to see him play poorly," Woods
said. "And the golf course now, it's just like any other
player who doesn't hit the ball very long. They're going to struggle.
And they're going to struggle a lot."
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