All change on the bags
The caddie scene has a different complexion before the first major of 2024. Justin Thomas announced he had parted ways with Jim “Bones” Mackay last week. Tommy Fleetwood’s longtime bag man, Ian Finnis, will miss the Masters as he recovers from illness at home. Mick Donaghy, who caddies for Tyrrell Hatton, is another absentee after he suffered a fall before the final round of LIV’s stop at Doral. The defending champion Jon Rahm should at least have the services of Adam Hayes after he recovered from a bout of food poisoning. Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open champion, was hit by the same. “I spent the weekend in the bed, which wasn’t the greatest preparation,” said the Australian.
Pink Dogwood gets more difficult
After being sufficiently irked by players easily reaching the green in two, Augusta’s custodians have placed a new tee at the par-five second. The hole now measures 585 yards, a 10-yard increase on 2023. Minor alterations have been made to greens elsewhere on the course but the extension of “Pink Dogwood” is the most noticeable. Players now run the real risk of finding the bunker to the right side of the fairway, whereas before the longest hitters in the game could comfortably fly their drives over the sand.
McIlroy swerves jinxed warm-up
The winner of Augusta’s Wednesday par-three competition – which started in 1960 – has famously never gone on to claim the Masters. No doubt aware of this record, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were notable absentees from the event. Twenty past champions, including Ian Woosnam, Fred Couples, Gary Player and Tom Watson did participate. So, too, did European Ryder Cup heroes Fleetwood, Hatton and Shane Lowry. Watson, Player and Jack Nicklaus will perform honorary starter duties at 7:40 on Thursday morning before addressing the media.
High demand for Masters gnome
Queues for Augusta’s merchandise tent have been so severe this week the wait has occasionally touched two hours. The must-have item is the Masters gnome, which retails at $49.95 (£40) and has been sold out each day before morning replenishment. Spectators simply cannot get enough of them. Those seen waiting in line on Wednesday included Frankie Dettori and Niall Horan.
Weather warning
The weather forecast for Augusta on Thursday has been grim all week. The latest bulletin from Augusta National states there is a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Gusts of 40-45mph are likely between 8am and midday. There is another chance of thunder, this time rated at 40%, after 4pm. Very few golf tournaments seem to pass nowadays without some form of weather disruption. The good news for the tournament organisers is the weather does not look problematic at all once Thursday is over. The remainder of the Masters will be played in sunshine and a light breeze. The small field here – 89 players – gives further leeway. However, the outlook means a lot of catchup is likely on day two. There is even the possibility the tournament will not even start or open to the public as planned if morning storms do transpire.
