US Masters / Bill Elliott / 08 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Bill Elliott has been listening to Tiger, Padraig and Rory on the eve of the 73rd Masters.

At last! Not only is the Masters finally creaking into action but the weather here is turning brighter and, more importantly, warmer. Believe me, this is important because it has been as cold here over the last 48 hours as any time I've known in the 30 years I have been coming to Augusta.

This is not only good for me but for the players. Warm golf balls travel much better than cold ones and if ever a Masters needed an injection of adrenalin and excitement it is this 73rd version of the old game. Let's face it, the last couple of Masters have erred on the side of tedious. Course changes, abnormal weather conditions and other stuff have combined to take the X out of the usual eXcitement.

Now, thankfully, the weather is set fair for the week and so we get the chance to see how the players cope with the stretches and tweaks that have been administered to the prettiest course in the universe.

Leading the way in attacking the course will be Tiger Woods. The Great One has only played one-and-a-bit practice rounds here this week but he reckons that is enough. He didn't want to risk messing up his swing - or I suppose his knee - in the bitter winds of Tuesday and so he came, hit a few practice shots, talked endlessly to the media and then headed off to his rented home.

"This looks more like a British Open press conference, " he grinned as he surveyed a room full of reporters wearing arctic sweaters and more.

"What we need now is less wind, more warmth and then maybe we can all get back to making birdies and better here. The last couple of years have been terrible weatherwise and that's why we haven't been able to shoot low numbers."

Woods is also very aware that it is now four years since he last won a title that seemed to be his by right. Of course he has finished top three ever since so his is still the name to run with although finding a decent price is harder.

"Recently my putting has been streaky here," said Woods.

"I get on rolls where I make everything but I also get on rolls when I make nothing. Fact is that I need to be consistent round here, especially now. There simply aren't too many birdie opportunities. It's not like how it used to be."

What I can add to that is the thought that Augusta presently looks as good as ever I have seen it. Walking round yesterday the greens and run-offs were as pristine as a royal carpet. And, of course, everyone is talking a great game right now. Phil Mickelson is trying hard not to look overly satisfied with himself - his default position anyway - while Padraig Harrington has the appearance of a bloke who is grateful his big moment is at last on its way.

"My whole year so far has been geared towards this week. It's not that I don;lt care about anything else but heading into a major where it's possible for me to win three on the bounce is, I'm sure you'll agree, pretty special, " says the reigning Open and USPGA champ.

Be assured, Padraig has an outstanding chance here. Masters are won by men with sweet short games more than anything else and no-one is better from round the green than Harrington. It is this part of the game that I fear will trip up his young countryman Rory McIlroy.

Rory is as excited as a puppy with not one rubber ball but three and so he should be. Cleverly, however, he is beginning to dilute all the expectation that has followed on a terrific year to date.

"Really, I'm here to do as well as I can obviously but it's about learning and gaining experience. I just want to have fun out there. Hopefully there will be lots more visits when I can talk about actually winning."

This, of course, is very smart but then he is a very smart young man with, as it happens, smart parents. Rosie and Gerry McIlroy are hopping around Augusta with the biggest grins on their faces. This for them, as with their son, is all about having fun. Better still, all the signs are that we should all have some fun again at Augusta before the weekend is out.

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