The 2008 Masters

I love The Masters. I love everything about it--the first time I hear that CBS theme song around mid-March it sends tingles down my spine. The players, the coverage, the course, the strategy...its all great. I even love the contrast of colors with the white sand traps, the yellow pins, and the course being so green--seriously, is anywhere else in the world this green?

Well...going into this year's Masters, I was somewhat optimistic that my favorite golfer, Phil Mickelson, would be competitive and be near the top in the end. He hadn't played particularly great heading into the tournament, but he always plays well at the Masters. An opening round 71 was a good start that he could build off of. He sat tied for 11th, which on the first round is fine, because you can't win the tourney, but you sure can lose it. His second round was brilliant, shooting a 68 and moving to -5 for the weekend--within striking distance of Trevor Immelman, who shot two 68's and led at -8.

And then, he played his third round. He needed to make a move on Saturday, known as "Moving Day" and he did--backwards. Unfortunately, he shot a 3-over 75 and moved back to -2. He missed a five-foot putt for birdie on the 15th hole, and after that it all went to heck. A double-bogey on 16 pretty much sealed his fate. Especially after Immelman continued the pressure with another round in the sixties--this time a 69.

So going into today he was nine shots behind. Not good. He shot a respectable 72 even par today, and actually ended up tied for 5th, which all in all is a great showing. Oh well...at least Tiger didn't win. He also shot an even par 72 today and ended up in second place at -5. Congrats to Trevor Immelman, who had a cushion going into the final round and used it by shooting a 3-over 75, but won by 3 strokes.

So maybe next year. Until then, I'll keep replaying that tranquil piano riff in my mind.