THE SPIN CYCLE: Masters a special event; Heyward a special player

The 2010 Masters is upon us, and it is one of the most talked about and anticipated golf tournaments ever because of the return of Tiger Woods. He is back at Augusta after a 20 week hiatus.
Due to his shameful sex scandal, some people have forgotten that he is the best golfer in the world.  No doubt about it, Tiger is the favorite this week. He may be the only golfer that could handle the pressure that is being placed on him right now and still succeed. Why? Because he is better at golf than anyone else. That being said, Tiger has struggled after long layoffs from tournament play. In 2006, after the death of his father, he missed the cut at the U.S. Open. Last year, after returning from a knee injury he failed to win a major for the first time in five years. Still, he has four green jackets and I fully expect him to win his fifth this year.
The Other Contenders…
It will be interesting to see how the other players react under the spotlight of this year’s Masters. It’s not like they haven’t been here before, but the coverage this year may make the players feel the pressure a little bit more.
Ernie Els is playing at the top of his game this year. He has won two tournaments and ranks first in the FedEx Cup standings. Els has yet to win at the Masters, finishing second in 2000 and 2004. However, the native of South Africa is playing well enough this year to win his first.
Phil Mickelson will always be in the conversation at a major. Lefty’s 12 top ten’s and two victories (’04,’06) prove that he can handle the pressure of Augusta. Fred Couples always hits the ball well at this tournament. He is tied with Gary Player for the most cuts made at the Masters with 23. The ’92 champion played in the last group on Sunday as recently as 2006. Matt Kuchar will be paired with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds. Although the former
Georgia Tech star hasn’t played in the Masters since 2002, he has performed well this year, with four top ten finishes in nine outings.
The British contingent boasts three of the top 20 ranked players in the world in Paul Casey (six), Ian Poulter (eight) and Luke Donald (20). All of them have the capability of winning the tournament. Angel Cabrera let everybody know that he could play with the best when he won last year. However, only a select few have won back-to-back Masters. David Duval will be back in the tournament for the first time since 2006. He isn’t likely to win, but you never know what can happen if he gets his swing going.
This Is A Special Place…
Augusta National is unlike any golf course in the world. Besides its pristine fairways and beautiful landscape, it is one of the longest courses at 7,445 yards, second longest for a major. This demands long tee shots and quite often long second shots, especially on par 4′s. The tradition of this major is incomparable to any other; from Amen Corner to Butler Cabin. The trees must whisper at night about the putt on 17 by the 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus in ’86 or hometown boy Larry Mize’s miracle shot in ’87 or Tiger’s chip in on 17 in ’05 that seemed to hang on the lip of the cup forever. So, just sit back, relax and get ready for more memorable moments at the 2010 Masters.
Braves Rookie’s Impressive Debut …
"Ja-son Hey-ward! Ja-son Hey-ward!," The crowd chanted as the 20-year-old stepped to the plate for the first time in the major leagues. Turner Field was electric and then ecstatic when the talented rookie hit a rocket, 446 feet over the right field fence on his first swing. For Jason Heyward to deliver like that in his first major league at-bat is legendary. The Atlanta Braves won the opener against the Chicago Cubs 16-5 and had one of the best Opening Day games in a very long time. Although it was only the first of many games, those who were there will never forget it.
Another Hayward Provides Drama…
The argument could be made that the 2010 National Championship Game was the best ever. No team had a lead of more than six points, and Duke escaped, 61-59, after Butler’s Gordon Hayward narrowly missed a desperation, half-court shot that banked off the backboard and then the rim, before bouncing out. If that shot went in, it would have been the greatest moment in tournament history. It was the fourth national title for the Blue Devils, but you have to give credit to Butler for providing us with a very exciting finish.