Sergio Garcia was one of few to enjoy the big boy course this morning at Augusta. But if you're like me, you're probably enjoying the annual Par-3 competition at Augusta National on ESPN right now.
Yes, it's unique. Yes, there are miniature caddies in white jumpsuits racing around and carrying their famous fathers' golf bags. Yes, Mike Tirico's voice is so soothing for golf that it could practically be an alarm clock setting like waves crashing on the ocean. Yes, Greg Norman's hole-in-one was awesome.
But let us not forget. The previews are almost over. The movie is starting soon. In about 16 or so hours, according to my calculations with Thursday's initial pairing.
With that in mind, I thought it would be useful to gather one final Wednesday round-up of links leading into the Masters opening round.
• Vijay Singh had a hole-in-one today on No. 16 during his practice round — by skipping it across the pond and into the hole. The annual Wednesday tradition for those who forego the Par-3 event is to try and skip the ball over the water and up onto the green. Singh apparently perfected it on Wednesday.
• Jason Sobel is live blogging today's action over at ESPN.com. Lots of interesting nuggets, including the following about Gary Player, who's playing the par-3 event with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer:
"Player will compete in his 52nd and final Masters this week. That's 52 weeks of his life at Augusta National. Yes, an entire year of playing the Masters."
• SI's Damon Hack is on pace for a half-dozen Pimento Cheese sandwiches this week. He also penned the best preview about Tiger's chances at Augusta in '09.
• Here are the PGATour.com Expert Picks for the week. The envelope is in and let's just say you won't be surprised about who they've tabbed as the favorite.
• Geoff Ogilvy is being overlooked this week and could rise to the Masters major championship occasion this week.
• We could finally get the Tiger-Phil showdown Augusta has been waiting for, writes Gary Van Sickle. The stars have seemingly aligned for this week.
• John Daly, in my opinion, is totally pathetic. I am sick of his act and so are his sponsors and the PGA Tour. That's why I'm not surprised he did this at Augusta this week.
• Padraig Harrington is getting no love this week as he tries for a third major championship victory in a row. His reaction? "I'm not too fussed about it," according to Hack's article. If he plays well Thursday, surely everyone will remember his pursuit of the Paddy Slam.
• Tiger played nine holes with Bubba Watson and Robert Karlsson on Wednesday morning in his final preparations for his first major since June 2008.
• This live report from the PGA Tour features tons of short stories and synopsis from Wednesday's action, including a splash about Ian Poulter's snazzy pants.
• Tiger is turning 15 at Augusta, writes Helen Ross. "Time flies when…" is a pretty accurate statement about the emotion of watching Tiger play.
That's all I've got for now. Enjoy the Par-3 contest and we'll be back tomorrow with Masters updates throughout the opening round. Hope you've enjoyed the bonus coverage this week.
Photo from PGATour.com
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