MASTERS LIVE BLOG: Updates for Monday, April 3, 2023
Check here throughout the day for the latest updates as practice rounds get underway
8:17 p.m.: Nobody gets Masters patrons excited like Tiger Woods
AUGUSTA, Ga. - The buzz Monday at the Masters could be heard all over the course at Augusta National Golf Club: Tiger Woods is back.
He hasn’t played a tournament round since February at the Genesis Invitational, so patrons are holding their breath hoping he tees off so they can see that Tiger tournament magic.
And they had the galleries to back it up. There’s nothing like the environment at Augusta National when Tiger Woods is on the course
8:13 p.m.: Could LIV-PGA rivalry affect relations between Masters players?
AUGUSTA, Ga. - With Augusta taking center stage in the world of golf this week, we’re taking a look at the dynamic between PGA and LIV golfers competing at the Masters this year.
The rivalry has been a topic of discussion for fans since LIV golf stepped onto the scene.
At Augusta National on Monday, it felt like fans were talking about it from the practice range to Amen Corner.
“I spent probably an hour out on the range already this afternoon. It was good to see some familiar faces. Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, and it was really nice. I really wasn’t sure what I was going to expect walking on to the range but it was good to see some familiar faces and lot of smiles,” golfer Cameron Smith said.
Augusta National stressed the importance of still having the best players competing at the Masters despite the impact the division of the two tours has on the sport of golf.
While there were a lot of handshakes and hugs on the range, we only saw one group of LIV and PGA Tour players practicing together on the course.
The six former Masters champions competing this year who are now on the LIV golf tour are Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson.
8:06 p.m.: Masters merchandise goes from traditional to trendy
AUGUSTA, Ga. - There are a lot of new items for patrons to buy this year during the Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Overall, you can tell the merchandise is taking a turn from traditional to hip.
“What’s really important to golf right now is to bring some of the younger crowd in so I think they’re doing it really well, marketing it really well,” said McKenzie Beech.
For example, ball markers with pimento cheese sandwiches and Masters cup and chip bags. And another stocking stuffer: slim can koozies with a caddie bib.
5:45 p.m.: Cameron Smith reflects on how perspective can change
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Cameron Smith was asked at a brief news conference to explain how his feelings and mindset on the first tee can change from Thursday to Sunday.
“This is probably one of the tournaments for me where I get the most nervous, I guess,” he said. “I think that first tee, just the crowd, the atmosphere you get around here is unlike anywhere else. Just gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
“Come Thursday, and then Sunday is almost a different monster when you are stepping up with a lead or in contention. You really have to learn how to control all those emotions. To be honest for me, once I hit that first tee shot, I generally calm down a little bit and can really start to see the round unfold. But you know, that half an hour before is – yeah, it’s not nice. But it’s something you look forward to.”
5:38 p.m.: ‘I don’t come here to finish second,’ Bryson DeChambeau says
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Bryson DeChambeau says it’s an honor to be back at Augusta National Golf Club.
“I like the course changes. I’m excited for the year,” he said.
What are his expectation for this week?
“I don’t come here to finish second, but I will say that I’ve got a lot of work to do before I can get there,” he said.
And does he feel he has more to prove this Masters than any one before?
“When I won the U.S. Open I felt like I still had something to prove and I had vertigo, weird stuff going on that year, and it just seems like every year I’ve never really had my game, my A game,” he said. “Even though this year I don’t feel like it’s fully A game status, it’s progressing that way.”
He continued: “It’s always kind of been a tale of my career. Just having weird stuff happen, then I have a lot of great things happen. It’s like my emotions, just up and down, up and down.”
5:20 p.m.: Photo gallery | A day of practice and camaraderie
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Masters competitors had a busy Monday getting in some p[active and giving interviews at Augusta National Golf Club.
But they weren’t too busy to enjoy the time spent with fellow golfers. Take a look:
4:43 p.m.: ‘I want to win it again, ‘Spieth says’
AUGUSTA, Ga. - There’s something about playing in the Masters that brings out the best in Jordan Spieth.
He’s had five top-three finishes in his first nine appearances here. Only Arnold Palmer has matched that record.
“It was my favorite tournament growing up, so qualifying to get here was always a lifelong goal of mine. I really fell in love with the game because of this tournament, back to Tiger’s chip-in to Phil’s first win,” he said.
“These were kind of heroic moments when I was at an age where I was playing some other sports and loving golf, and it inspired me to really take up the game and see what kind of moments you can create, because the ball is always in your hands.”
So now he’s making his 10th Masters appearance this week.
“From the moment I got here, I was always very excited, and I wanted to learn it and fall in love with it. Just a lot of positivity. Didn’t know what to expect, and got off to a nice start my first year and tried to carry it on every year,” he said.
Winning “would be pretty special, but at the same time when you get opportunities at a young age and you feel good about your chances, I want to win it again,” he said.
3:08 p.m.: Fred Couples discusses friendship with Tiger
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Fred Couples said it’s always good to play with Tiger Woods, who’ll be at the Masters this year along with Couples.
“Always good to talk to him, and then when we come here, we’ll play tomorrow with Justin Thomas, so it’s just fun to tease him and get teased and listen to his stories,” Couples said Monday.
Even though they’ve both gotten older, the conversations haven’t changed, Couples said.
“They’re all about Charlie and Sam, how they’re doing, and he tells me a lot about Charlie, but because Sam is athletic and my wife is very athletic, so we like to know what Sam is doing,” he said.
“A little bit of golf, not so much believe it or not with Augusta. If anyone is going to tell me anything, I’ll listen to him, but I’m not telling him anything about Augusta National. We just chitchat. A lot of sports. His caddie Joe is a sport – knows everything, and then my caddie for this tournament went to Stanford, so he and Tiger have a little bit of ties, so they had a lot of chitchat.”
What was Couples’ impression of the way Tiger hit the ball and how he looked physically?
“How he hit it, he hit it really, really well. He pulled a couple drives. But last year we played, he never missed a shot. I’ve never seen anything like it. For him, he’s just out there just trying to walk around and play,” Couples said.
“Physically? You know, I don’t really ask him a lot. I think that’s not something when I text him or talk to him, really what our conversations are about. I think when he tells you I’m only going to play four events and Augusta is one of them, he’s ready to go, it’s probably not going to be easy. But I think he’ll be fine.”
Woods made his return to professional golf a year ago at the Masters. He’d had to stop playing for a time because of devastating injuries he suffered in a car wreck.
“I think the leg – I guess this is what it is,” he said. “I don’t know how much better it’s ever going to get. If he can get better where he can play 12 times, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think he would tell me that. But he’s strong enough to hit it a mile. He’s not hitting it as far as Rory. I don’t think many people are. But he’s hitting it really strong and solid, and he looks good.”
2:30 p.m.: Q&A with Aiken professional golfer Kevin Kisner
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Masters competitor Kevin Kisner, who’s from Aiken, gave some quick quotes while at Augusta National Golf Club on Monday for practice.
Q. How is it out there?
KEVIN KISNER: It’s good. It’s way more tame than we expected it to be. The greens are somewhat receptive, not real quick with the moisture in. Looks like a lot of moisture this week. So we’ll see how it shapes out.
Q. Is that helpful to get preparation knowing there’s rain in the forecast?
KEVIN KISNER: Yeah, it is. The fairways are still nice, not collecting mud. They’re still pretty dry. If we don’t get a big amount of rain, I think the golf course will be fantastic as always.
Q. A lot of talk about lengthening 13 and a big change this week. How did it play for you today?
KEVIN KISNER: I got to layup, just like I do on most of the par-5s now. D.J. hit an awesome one. He got to hit a mid-iron in there, so that was good. Yeah, just helped the bombers more.
Q. How did he do out there today?
KEVIN KISNER: He’s always the same for 30 years, stripes it, and walks around like he’s the giant he is.
Q. With the changes on 13, how do you see that affecting how the tournament as a whole is played?
KEVIN KISNER: You got to hit a perfect drive to have a chance now, where you could get away with more of a right shot. Now if you bail out to the right, you have no chance to go for it. The longer hitters will be in the trees now.
So I think the second shot -- I’m not ever going to hit it where D.J. did, but if I can hit a perfect one, I still have a difficult 3 or 4-iron off the side hill lie, whereas I used to be able to get 6 or 5.
Q. A couple folks from Atlanta here. Always good to see Georgia guys playing together. What’s that relationship like?
KEVIN KISNER: Harman and I play together all the time. We have a lot of the off-course interests together. So we played last week here.
Then Gary and D.J. have been lifelong friends. It’s a good place to hang out.
Q. How old were you when you first played with D.J.?
KEVIN KISNER: Like 5 years old. We grew up together. We were four-ball partners as kids in the state of South Carolina and played all the South Carolina Junior Golf stuff together.
Q. Do you the first tournament you all played in together?
KEVIN KISNER: I don’t. I told that story a long time ago when I scalded one out of the trees and beat him on the last hole. His grandfather yelled GD from the woods back there when my ball went in. That’s one of my favorites. I’ll have to look that story up.
Q. How was the turkey hunting with Harman last week?
KEVIN KISNER: It was successful, except we didn’t bag one. We had a lot of action. We were very particular on our trigger finger, which was very rare for us. Must be getting old.
Q. In your backyard, and you tend to be close to home here. What’s it like?
KEVIN KISNER: It’s sweet. It’s nice to stay at home. It’s nice to have a lot of friends and family out here ing me. It’s a cool place.
Eight years in a row, I never would have dreamed I’d do that after turning professional. It’s a dream come true.
2:11 p.m.: Dustin Johnson plans to enjoy week, catch up with friends
AUGUSTA, Ga. - For Dustin Johnson, it’s business as usual this year at the Masters, he said Monday.
Nothing different?
“No. I still play golf for a living,” he said. “I’m here at the Masters and enjoying this week. This week’s all about Augusta. It has nothing to do with where you play at, but guys that are here, they play all around the world. Not everybody just plays on one spot.”
It’ll give him a chance to see some folks he doesn’t get to see very much.
“For me, like I said, all my buddies are still my buddies. Enjoy seeing them. It’s nice to see a lot of the guys because I haven’t seen them all that much,” he said. “So it should be a great week and looking forward to it.”
Among the friends he’ll be seeing is Kevin Kisner.
“I grew up playing with Kis. We’ve known each other for a long time. It’s always great to come out here. Usually each year we play one practice round together. We’re playing Wednesday too in the par-3,” he said.
Another thing he’s looking forward to is the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night.
“Eat some good food and some good wine usually,” he said. “It’s special just to be a part of it. It’s something that you’re a part of forever. It’s a special evening.”
1:43 p.m.: Jason Day says it’s ‘very special’ for him to be back
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Jason Day said he’s made some improvements but has more to make.
Either way, he’s glad to be back at Augusta National for the Masters this year.
“To be able to be back here this year is very special” after not being able to come last year, he said Monday during a news conference.
”I think mentally I was more disappointed in myself” for not being able to be here, he said.
“It hit my confidence a lot,” he said.
He feels like his swing is good but he knows there’s room for improvement.
He’s had to analyze how he does things and work on them.
“I’m kinda physically forced to think about these things or else I could fall into bad habits” and hurt his back, he said.
“I’m moving in the right direction,” he said.
Asked whether his focus on improving keeps him in his zone or distracts him, he said:
“I would say that there’s definitely times where it holds me back” because he has to constantly work himself out of old habits and, he said.
He said autumn was probably to turning point for him.
He started to work on some new moves over Christmas break, but he hadn’t started to put himself in a position to win tournaments, he said, but that’s what he;’s focusing on now.
1:20 p.m.: Masters competitors make a difference in community
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Professional golfers competing in the Masters Tournament continue to make a difference in the lives of CSRA residents.
The latest is Jordan Speith, whose foundation picked the Children’s Hospital of Georgia as one of its 2023 community partner grant recipients.
The grant helps fund travel expenses for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
It also will fund a full-time social worker.
The dedicated social worker will play a key role in the identification of patients, their needs and the distribution of the patient assistance funds.
Speith is set to play this year at Augusta National Golf Club and was the 2015 Masters champion.
In addition to the hospital, the grant recipients are:
- Aiken County YMCA Aiken Futbol Club
- Aiken High girls lacrosse program
- Aiken High golf program
- Apparo Academy
- Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club
- Augusta Heritage Academy
- Chukker Creek Elementary
- North Augusta Cultural Arts Council
- North Augusta Elementary
- South Aiken High girls golf program
- Salvation Army Kroc Center
- The First Tee of Aiken
As part of the children’s health pillar, the Kisners presented a $50,000 gift to Children’s Hospital in December 2020 to help start a part-time clinic for children with these health challenges.
A year later in November 2021, the Kisners pledged $5.3 million to help establish and name a center for pediatric development, behavioral health and wellness.
Another $1.2 million was given last week as the second installment of this commitment.
12:33 p.m.: Patrons come from around the world
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Patrons have come from places near and far to see the practice rounds for the 2023 Masters.
For Paul Donlon, of Edinburgh, Scotland, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
He came with five other people – but he was the only one who came in a kilt today.
Nick Proto caught up with him:
11:38 a.m.: Merchandise remains popular with Masters patrons
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Patrons are carrying bags and bags of merchandise during the first day of practice rounds for the 2023 Masters.
With a bit of a chill and dampness, outerwear is popular, as is all kinds of apparel.
And, as always, gnomes are in demand.
Take a look at what these guys from St. Louis have bought:
12:19 p.m.: Masters traffic will affect bus route
AUGUSTA, Ga. - During the Masters Tournament, traffic at the Washington Road-Alexander Drive intersection will affect the operation of the Route 5 Green Line/Washington Road bus, according to Augusta Transit.
The bus towards downtown will not make the left turn onto Alexander Drive but continue straight ahead along Washington Road.
engers for downtown using bus stops along Alexander Drive must now go to the intersection of Washington Road and Berckmans Road and wait at the traffic signal.
To find a bus route near you, bus schedules and which bus gets you to your destination, call 706-821-1719 between 7 a.m. thru 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
11:02 a.m.: Time for some Masters trivia
Who hit what became known in golf as the ‘shot heard ‘round the world?’
a. Arnold Palmer
b. Bubba Watson
c. Gene Sarazen
The answer: C
10:55 a.m.: Augusta National releases mowing report
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta National Golf Club released this late-morning report on the height of the cut of grass on the golf course:
- Tees: 5/16 inch
- Fairways: 3/8 inch
- Second cut: 1 3/8 inches
- Collars: 1/4 inch
- Greens surrounds: 5/16 inch
- Greens: 1/8 inch
10:53 a.m.: Photo gallery | Players get in some practice
9:54 a.m.: We’ll hear from some players this afternoon
AUGUSTA, Ga. - As always during Masters week, competitors will be giving interviews and holding news conferences.
This afternoon, we expect to hear from four players, and we’ll tell you what they say.
- 1:30 p.m.: Jason Day
- 2 p.m.: Harrison Crowe and Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira
- 2:30 p.m.: Jordan Spieth
- 3 p.m.: Cameron Smith
9:29: a.m.: Tiger remains a big draw for patrons
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Tiger Woods remains a huge draw at this year’s Masters.
He’s out there on the range this morning, spotted by News 12. And he was practicing on Sunday after arriving in midafternoon.
It was a wonder Woods even made it to the Masters last year for his first major return to professional golf. He was only 14 months removed from his SUV speeding off a suburban Los Angeles road, a crash that crushed bones in his right leg and ankle. He says amputation was contemplated.
And then there he was, making the cut at the Masters and hobbling his way through 72 holes. Since then, he made it through three rounds at Southern Hills in the PGA Championship and two rounds at St. Andrews in the British Open.
9:01 a.m.: Reflections on a Sunday like no other at Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. - What made Sunday so unusual at Augusta National Golf Club is that it’s the stage for the Masters and the venue for Saturday’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur final round and Sunday’s Drive, Chip and Putt national finals.
So on Sunday, golfers of all ages, both professional and amateur, came together at Augusta National, mixing, mingling and sharing a love of the game.
8 a.m.: Patrons start to fill up the course
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Excited patrons started coming in the gate at Augusta National Golf Club around 7:15 a.m
Many were eager to get the patron shop.
By 8 a.m., they’d been allowed on the course.
Some even got to see Tiger Woods, who was on the range at 8:05 a.m.
6:45 a.m.: Mayor’s Masters Reception kicks off golf week
AUGUSTA, Ga. - On Sunday, city leaders attended the Mayor’s Masters Reception.
They held it Sunday at the Augusta Commons, even though it’s traditionally on a Monday.
Families and friends got a chance to dance, bounce and try some good food just before tournament week.
One man we spoke to loves to come out each year because he loves seeing all the new faces as he s his hometown.
“I’ve been coming out of here since it started,” Ray Thomas said. “You know what I mean, to my city of Augusta. When I’m from all my life, and all the good people. The food, and it’s just overall everything that’s good about it.”
This was the first time other leaders from across the area were in attendance, including Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams and Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan.
6:35 a.m.: Traffic moving steadily
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Traffic is still moving steadily on Washington Road for the first day of practice rounds for the Masters.
Lighted signs on Interstate 20 say all Masters traffic should use Exits 199, Washington Road, and 200, Riverwatch Parkway. Traffic cones were just placed on Riverwatch to direct drivers toward Augusta National Golf Club.
Interstate traffic is flowing steadily and the exits aren’t yet backed up.
4 p.m. April 2: Tiger Woods arrives for Masters week
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Tiger Woods is returning to the Masters, and he was already at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday.
News 12 spotted him there practicing after the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals.
His return to Augusta National is no longer a surprise as it was a year ago but no less a rare appearance.
This will be only his third tournament against elite competition since he remarkably hobbled his way through 72 holes at Augusta National.
12:57 p.m. April 2: Augusta National releases list of players
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta National Golf Club has released the list of who’ll be playing in the 2023 Masters Tournament.
Practice rounds begin Monday, with the first round starting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The tournament will conclude April 9.
Get a look at who’ll be playing. Click on the link for their bio and stats:
9:52 a.m. April 2: Legendary caddie involved in wreck on his way to Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - In the days leading up to the 2023 Masters Tournament, a legendary caddie at Augusta National Golf Club was in a car accident.
According to media reports, Carl Jackson was driving here from Arkansas, where he lives, when his vehicle hit a car that was stopped on Interstate 20.
Jackson, 76, was reported in good condition.
The Augusta native has caddied for more than 50 Masters Tournaments, including for Ben Crenshaw both times Crenshaw won.
When he was honored during the 2015 Mayor’s Masters Reception in Augusta, we reported that Jackson had only missed one since 1961 to recover from cancer.
9:28 a.m. April 2: Aaron Wise withdraws from Masters, citing mental health
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Aaron Wise has withdrawn from the Masters, posting on social media that he needs time away to focus on his mental health.
He will not be replaced in the field, which now is 88 players.
“Golf is just as much a mental game as it is one of physical skill, and the mental piece of it has been a struggle for me recently,” Wise posted on Instagram. “I don’t take the significance of playing at Augusta lightly, but I know that I need to take some time away to focus on my mental health so I can get back to competing at a level I am proud of.”
Wise has not played the Masters since his only trip in 2019, when he qualified by winning the AT&T Byron Nelson the year before.
He won one match but didn’t make it out of group play at the Dell Match Play last week. He had missed the cut in four of his previous five tournaments.
Wise qualified for the Masters by making it to the Tour Championship, moving into the 30th spot in the FedEx Cup standings because of the players ahead of him who had ed LIV Golf.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
