Aussie golfers suffer Masters first-round snub
Darren Walton |
Australia’s golf stars have been overlooked for the marquee groups for the Masters first round at Augusta National.
As defending champion Rory McIlroy and fellow heavyweights Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler occupy the prime time slots, Adam Scott and company can escape the spotlight somewhat on Thursday (AEDT).
Contesting his milestone 25th straight Masters, 2013 champion Scott will play the first two rounds alongside Americans Daniel Berger and Brian Harman.
“It’s still the most nervous I get anywhere is the first tee Thursday here,” Scott said.
Cameron Smith will be the first Australian out, also with home hopes Jake Knapp and Sam Burns, while Jason Day will tee off with fellow former world No.1 Dustin Johnson and Irishman Shane Lowry.
Aussie No.1 Min Woo Lee will join 1992 champion Fred Couples and Thai sensation Fifa Laopakdee, who will make his Masters debut after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
With sunshine forecast for all four days this year, the word is that officials are planning to set up a testing course to protect Augusta from the world’s best golfers.
“It’s great,” Day said.
“For me, I’m hoping that the tougher the better because it just means that you need to have everything on, from tee to green.
“It’s always imperative that if you don’t hit the greens here that you leave yourself in the correct locations, and if you leave yourself a good up-and-down, then you’re always moving forward.
“It’s very easy to try and force the issue here when you know that you shouldn’t, and just be patient.
“Like, I think 11 to 13-under typically wins this tournament.”
After finally completing the fabled career grand slam with an emotion-charged play-off win last year, the shackles will be off for McIlroy when the Northern Irish sujperstar goes out with American world No.3 Cameron Young and rising talent Mason Howell.
NOTABLE FIRST-ROUND MASTERS GROUPINGS (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Thursday 11.19pm: Cameron Smith (AUS), Jake Knapp (USA), Sam Burns (USA)
Thursday 11.43pm: Jason Day (AUS), Dustin Johnson (USA), Shane Lowry (IRE)
Friday 12.07am: Bryson DeChambeau (USA), Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG), Xander Schauffele (USA)
Friday 12:31am: Rory McIlroy (NIR), Cameron Young (USA), Mason Howell (USA)
Friday 2.03am: Adam Scott (AUS), Daniel Berger (USA), Brian Harman (USA)
Friday 2.25am: Min Woo Lee (AUS), Fred Couples (USA), Fifa Laopakdee (THA)
Friday 3:08am: Jon Rahm (ESP), Chris Gotterup (USA), Ludvig Åberg (SWE)
Friday 3:44am: Scottie Scheffler (USA), Robert MacIntyre (SCO), Gary Woodland (USA)
AAP