AUGUSTA, Ga. – The silence will be deafening. A Masters without patrons is going to stand alone in the history of a tournament with no shortage of history, but beyond the lonely landscape, the challenge for players will be playing a course that has become as familiar as an old friend in the spring … in the fall.
The first November Masters promises to be different for many reasons, including how the iconic course will play outside of its usual early April date. At first blush on Monday, the fairways were perfectly manicured and green, the bunkers their traditional brilliant white and the greens as glassy as ever.
But there were differences.
“I think just around the greens it’s played a little bit different, like with it being a little bit different grass, a little bit more grass, it feels like at times to strike a chip is a bit easier,” Tommy Fleetwood said following his practice round.
The ease around the greens seems to be relative, as not all players agree that chipping with be more forgiving. Some have contended that the added give will complicate an already difficult process. Rory McIlroy said last weekend that things could get “tricky” around the putting surfaces.
Spieth: Greens could be firm and fast, even with rain
Tee to green, the fairways seem a bit softer.
“The grass might be just a little higher and the course may play just a little slower than normal,” Patrick Cantlay said.
As for Augusta National’s famously fast greens, they appear to be near – or at – April ready, with players pointing out a brownish hue to some greens, which is very rarely the case on Monday of tournament week.
“It’s starting to get those brown patches that I’ve only seen a couple of times,” Jordan Spieth said. “It’s that look you only get during the years when it’s really firm and fast.”
There’s also the absence of patrons to consider. Although not nearly as much as other tournaments, grandstands on certain holes act as a bailout on some shots, especially the stands behind the par-5 eighth hole.
“I think the grandstand left of [No.] 4 used to get a bit of action because it was such a long hole and occasionally you might double‑cross one off that tee,” Adam Scott said.
But this is Augusta National. No major championship course changes more from Monday to Thursday – and most players understand this. It’s why practice rounds are probably more important this year than they’ve ever been, and why players will spend less time worrying about how different the layout is playing until Thursday.
“They can change it as quick as they want, and they can do some crazy things to make a difference. That’s one of the things this week,” Fleetwood said. “You just want to keep getting out on the golf course and keep playing different shots and just seeing how the ball reacts and what kind of lies you get and just how the golf course is playing.”
With a nod to Mother Nature, which will have a say this week with a forecast that includes plenty of rain, officials at Augusta National have proven themselves adept at fine-tuning the golf course just how they want it. That likely won’t change this week.
The first November Masters will be different. A Masters without roars will be surreal. Whether the golf course and how it plays is yet another alteration, though, remains to be seen.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
