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Let's give Trevor Immelman some props for putting on a clinic at The Masters this past week.  Consider the following stats:

• 1st in driving accuracy (48/56 fairways, 85.71%)
• 4th in driving distance (287.50)
• T2 in greens in regulation (51/72 greens, 70.83%)
• T3 in putting (1.56)

That's pretty much outstanding.  No one was as sharp as Immelman from tee to green, and he was able to maintain the laser-like focus for the entire 4 rounds.  His only mistake was a double on the 70th hole, the par 3 16th.  Whether his ball ended up in the drink because of a cross breeze or because of a mishit, he ended up with a double-bogey and still won by 3 strokes.  His drives were well-placed, his approach shots were never far from the pin, his pitching was incredible and he seemed to be making almost every putt.  He was able to put himself in perfect spots and as a result he only had 2 3-putts for the entire round.  Immelman became the first South African to win the Masters since Gary Player in 1978, exactly 30 years ago.

Immelman had a few obstacles to overcome on his way to his Masters victory.  Last year he contracted some kind of parasite and followed that up with a stomach infection which caused him to lose 22 lbs in 3 weeks.  It had taken Immelman 3 years to bulk up from 155 to 178 before contracting the parasite, essentially losing 3 years' work in 3 weeks.  In December, Immelman complained of having some chest pain and an MRI showed that he had a benign tumor.  After surgery he was out of action for approximately 6 weeks and then started practicing and preparing for the Masters.  This guy can obviously deal with adversity.  I hope he can win at least 1 other tournament this year, because that would really validate his win at Augusta.  Zach Johnson was able to do so last year and the way that Immelman was striking the ball suggests that he is in top form. 

Posted by vaca22 at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're a DIRECTV subscriber, you win!

I recently found out that DirecTV will be showing additional and extended coverage of The Masters on channel 701 (standard definition) and 706 (HD).  The DIRECTV service will be available during ESPN coverage of the first two rounds and CBS coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.  The highlight of the coverage will be Masters Mix Channel, offering viewers a unique window on the famous Augusta course with access to four different views on one screen - a view dedicated to covering the famed "Amen Corner," another focusing on critical finishing holes 15 and 16, a continuously updated highlight channel showcasing Tournament leaders and their scores and the CBS national broadcast.

The four views include the following:

• View One — CBS and ESPN's live coverage of the Tournament.
• View Two — "Today's Highlights" offers a continuously updating loop of the best shots from the day's play with voice-over providing context and commentary.
• View Three — "Amen Corner" provides complete coverage of the most famous stretch — holes 11, 12 and 13 — of Augusta National Golf Club. The channel will provide a continuous view of play as the field challenges this most treacherous part of the course.
• View Four — Holes 15 (the par 5 Firethorn) and 16 (the par 3 Redbud) spotlights this especially difficult part of the course, which can make or break a golfer's round.

Each of the additional three Masters channels is a fully-produced channel with its own production crew, additional cameras and announcers — provided by CBS Sports and DIRECTV. Customers with interactive receivers can highlight any of the four views on the Mix screen to hear live audio on each and expand them to full screen by pressing the select button on their remote.  If that's not insanely awesome, I don't even know what is.

For me, golf starts now.  Even though we've been treated to 3 solid months of golf coverage between CBS and NBC (including some great WCG events), The Masters tournament is the official start of golf in 2008 for yours truly.  The weather is starting to get warmer, the sun is out longer...even the air has that spring smell to it.  Something is just different. 

Are you crazy like I am about this tournament?  Have you considered calling out of work just to watch live coverage?  I have.  But then this wonderful thing called the "internet" came along and I was able to watch live broadcasts from Amen Corner on Thursdays and Fridays.  I remember last year I sat in front of my computer ALL DAY watching streaming video.  I must have been the most  unproductive employee of the week.  When I get home I'll just watch the reruns in HD.  Brilliant.

Golf nuts unite....raise your hands in the air and thank baby Jesus that Masters week is upon us.  Unfortunately for me (and probably many of you) Jesus chose to rise from the dead on Masters Sunday last year.  However, FORTUNATELY for me, I was sick last year for the entire tournament.  That meant laying around bed all day.  I must have put in a solid 24-27 hours of quality time with my TV watching live coverage and reruns.

Am I certifiably insane?  Hell yes.  But many of you are also in my boat, and I'd love nothing more than to sail the high seas with you. 

Posted by vaca22 at 02:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)