SF Examiner: Watson sentimental, satisfied at Open

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Surely today will be the last dance for Tom Watson, his final round in a U.S. Open, the tournament that to him is the most important of any, this time being played on the course that to him is the most important of them all.

“If this is my last U.S. Open,” said Watson, “it couldn’t have happened at a better place, Pebble Beach. I’m somewhat sentimental about this place. There’s a lot to this place for me. It means a great deal to play the U.S. Open, but especially at Pebble Beach.”

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

Global Golf Post: A Masters That Became A Work Of Art

By Art Spander
For GlobalGolfPost.com

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA -- This was no Masters. This was a Masters-piece, from, yes, the man who won it, Phil Mickelson, but also from so many others, from Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Anthony Kim, Tom Watson, Fred Couples, and no less importantly by the old lady herself, Augusta National.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 Global Golf Post

RealClearSports: The Masters We Used to Know Returns

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- This was the Masters we used to know. This was the Masters of blue skies and blooming azaleas and golf shots that send an explosion of noise down the fairways and a chill up the spine.

This was the Masters where eagles drop and expectations rise, and the top of the leaderboard becomes a spectator's dream.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

Newsday: Watson and Manassero prove golf a game for the ages

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- They are 44 years and six shots apart. And they're both in the final round of the Masters; proof once more that golf is a game for the ages and the ageless.

Tom Watson is 60 and after 54 holes, he is at 2-under-par 214, shooting a 73 Saturday. Matteo Manassero is 16 and after 54 holes, having been the youngest ever both to start the tournament and to make the cut, is 4-over 220 after a 73.

In each case, the adjective remarkable is applicable.

Asked what he would take away from the week, Watson, a two-time Masters champion and last year at age 59 losing in a playoff at the British Open, said: "I don't know yet. It depends on how I finish Sunday.''

Asked the same question, Manassero, a young gentleman from Verona, Italy, who last year won the British Amateur said: "I'm thinking it's a good experience. It's a good experience watching guys who have played for 20 years or so on the PGA [Tour].''

Or 39 or so, as Watson.

On Wednesday night, Watson was given the Ben Hogan award for the golfer who returns to the game from serious injury or illness. Watson shared the award with Ken Green.

Watson had hip-replacement surgery in October 2008. Green was in a serious vehicle accident in 2009 in which his brother and girlfriend were killed. His right leg so severely mangled it had to be amputated.

"With all due respect,'' Watson said when called to the dais, "I am unworthy of this award. With that, I'll step aside for Ken Green.''

Young Manassero, who will turn 17 next week, evinces his own humbleness and respect for the game, though he is also confident about his future.

"My game makes me more comfortable and assured of my abilities," Manassero said.

He plans to play the Italian Open in Turin the first week of May, go to St. Andrew's for the British Open and play six other tournaments - he gets seven exemptions, not counting the British - in hopes of earning his European Tour card.

If he doesn't, he'll play on the Challenge Tour, Europe's second tier, and go through qualifying school.

"I'm comfortable playing with these guys and I'm playing OK," Manassero said. "I think I'm ready."

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/watson-and-manassero-prove-golf-a-game-for-the-ages-1.1856249
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.

Newsday: Tiger comes back with his best first round at Masters

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday 

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It was as if nothing ever had happened. Tiger Woods was playing golf, playing it well, and the crowd was huge and appreciative, oohing and aahing and now and then yelling "Go, Tiger!'' or "Come on, Tiger!''

The same as always.

Except it wasn't the same. It was better.

His first competitive round of golf in five months was the first time Tiger Woods had broken 70 in an opening round of the Masters in 15 years.

The questions, the worries, the disillusionment, the disdain were left blowing in the wind that swept Augusta National Golf Club Thursday, when Woods verified that great athletes do not lose their touch even when they may have lost their way.

Woods shot a 68 and is only two shots out of the lead held by 50-year-old Fred Couples.

Lightning didn't flash and the ground didn't shake, although the crowd parted like the Red Sea to give Woods room to get to the first tee for the 1:42 p.m. starting time in a threesome shared by K.J. Choi (67) and Matt Kuchar (70).

Uniformed security personnel walked inside the ropes - extra protection that, with a friendly gallery, proved unnecessary.

Two banners would be hauled by airplane across Augusta National. Not long after the round started, a plane crossed the course trailing a banner reading "Tiger: Did You Mean Booty-ism?''

Then possibly the same plane came back with another, "Sex Addict? Yeah Sure, Me Too.''

"I didn't see it,'' Woods said.

What he saw was an opportunity.

"It felt just like [normal],'' said Woods, whose last round was in mid-November. "I got into the flow of the round early. I got into the rhythm of just playing and hitting shots and thinking my way around the golf course and ball placement. I got into it early, which was very nice.''

"I expected to go out there and shoot something under par,'' Woods said. "I went about my business.''

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/tiger-comes-back-with-his-best-first-round-at-masters-1.1853532
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.