by Corona Man » Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:43 pm
Well, it's getting closer to that magical time of year again.... The US Masters.
April 6 to 9th (US)
Defending Champion Danny Willets returns:- (From the US Masters Website)
One year ago, there were doubts whether Danny Willett would even make it to Augusta for his second career Masters Tournament start. Now, the 29-year-old Englishman is relishing his experience last April and anticipating the return to Augusta National.
“I can’t think of a more amazing week to defend,” Willett said on Tuesday during the 2016 Masters champion’s conference call with media. “I’m going to go on the Saturday before and play nine holes on my own and kind of soak it up and drive down Magnolia Lane on my own. And I’m pretty sure that as I get even within the area of Augusta, there’s going to be a big Cheshire smile on my face. And then when you actually drive down Magnolia Lane and you park in the car park and go put your shoes on, obviously it's going to be different. I’m going to be able to slip my shoes on in the Champions Locker Room upstairs.
“It’s going to be an amazing feeling to be able to go back there. Forevermore, my name is in history at that golf club and I’m going to be able to go there and be part of the Augusta family and enjoy every experience when I go back there.”
Last spring, Willett’s wife, Nicole, was expecting the couples’ first child on Masters Sunday, April 10. However, Zachariah James was born on March 30, allowing Willett to be one of the last to arrive for Masters week. He spent the week before with his wife, newborn and practicing at home on the weekend with “quality” before flying to Augusta on Monday of Masters week.
Five strokes back with six holes remaining, Willett played solidly over the final few holes, shooting a bogey-free 67 to win the Green Jacket. The moment he realized there was a chance occurred late on Sunday as he completed No. 15 and heard that leader Jordan Spieth had made a 7 on the par-3 No. 12. There was a brief discussion with his caddie about “five good shots coming in.” There was also a respite as he visited a restroom reserved for players that is situated near No. 16 tee.
“It was quite nice to have a couple minutes of silence,” Willett said. “I said to myself, ‘This is what you practice for. … You’re in this position and this is what you want to do.’ ”
The time since has been a whirlwind, full of occasionally wearing the Green Jacket to various functions, signing oodles of Masters pin flags, changing diapers, attending soccer matches, snooker tournaments and in the Royal Box at Wimbledon alongside Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. As the new Masters Champion, the sudden dash into the spotlight is the new normal.
Invitees:-
An, Byeong Hun Korea
Berger, Daniel United States
Cabrera, Angel Argentina
Cabrera-Bello, Rafael Spain
Casey, Paul England
Castro, Roberto United States
Chappell, Kevin United States
Couples, Fred United States
#*Dalke, Brad United States
Day, Jason Australia
Dufner, Jason United States
Els, Ernie South Africa
Fitzpatrick, Matthew England
Fowler, Rickie United States
Furyk, Jim United States
#*Gana, Toto Chile
Garcia, Sergio Spain
Grace, Branden South Africa
#*Gregory, Scott England
Grillo, Emiliano Argentina
Haas, Bill United States
#Hadwin, Adam Canada
#*Hagestad, Stewart United States
Hahn, James United States
#Hatton, Tyrrell England
Hoffman, Charley United States
Holmes, J.B. United States
#Hughes, Mackenzie Canada
#Hurley III, Billy United States
Ikeda, Yuta Japan
Immelman, Trevor South Africa
Johnson, Dustin United States
Johnson, Zach United States
Kaymer, Martin Germany
#Kim, Si Woo Korea
Kisner, Kevin United States
Kjeldsen, Søren Denmark
Knox, Russell Scotland
Koepka, Brooks United States
Kuchar, Matt United States
Langer, Bernhard Germany
Leishman, Marc Australia
Lowry, Shane Ireland
#*Luck, Curtis Australia
Lyle, Sandy Scotland
Matsuyama, Hideki Japan
#McGirt, William United States
McIlroy, Rory Northern Ireland
Mickelson, Phil United States
Mize, Larry United States
Molinari, Francesco Italy
Moore, Ryan United States
Na, Kevin United States
#Noren, Alex Sweden
O'Hair, Sean United States
O'Meara, Mark United States
Olazabal, Jose Maria Spain
Oosthuizen, Louis South Africa
Pampling, Rod Australia
Perez, Pat United States
Piercy, Scott United States
#Pieters, Thomas Belgium
#Rahm, Jon Spain
Reed, Patrick United States
Rose, Justin England
Schwartzel, Charl South Africa
Scott, Adam Australia
Simpson, Webb United States
Singh, Vijay Fiji
Snedeker, Brandt United States
Spieth, Jordan United States
Steele, Brendan United States
Stenson, Henrik Sweden
Stricker, Steve United States
#Stuard, Brian United States
Sullivan, Andy England
#Summerhays, Daniel United States
#Swafford, Hudson United States
Thomas, Justin United States
Vegas, Jhonattan Venezuela
Walker, Jimmy United States
Watson, Bubba United States
Weir, Mike Canada
Westwood, Lee England
Wiesberger, Bernd Austria
Willett, Danny England
Wood, Chris England
Woodland, Gary United States
Woods, Tiger United States
Woosnam, Ian Wales
Hoping it's on free to air, as I have not got my foxtel sorted yet.
1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.... And don't you forget it!