Justin Rose apparently didn't get the memo that Augusta National was a little more forgiving Friday in the Masters. The consolation was still having the lead, but just barely.
Birdies were as precious as pearls on Day 1 at the Masters and even harder to string together. Two in a row practically passed for a necklace. So when Justin Rose went eagle-birdie-birdie through the turn at Augusta National, few doubted something really special was in store.
Lee Elder was 40 years old when he made history as the first Black player to tee it up at the Masters, after so many prime years had already been stolen from him by the scourge of racism.
The applause started when Lee Elder's golf cart began moving toward the first tee. It only got louder when he arrived and slowly made his way to his seat.
Elder, 86, was the first Black player to participate in The Masters, in 1975, and his presence is the latest sign that Augusta National is trying to distance itself from its discriminatory past.
Big-swinging Bryson DeChambeau and sage veteran Phil Mickelson got together Wednesday at Augusta. Their differences are obvious. Their similarities are more interesting.
No one needed to see the colorful blooms at Augusta National to realize this will be a much different Masters than the last one. It was the color of the greens.
While a tempest brews outside Magnolia Lane over Georgia's voting rights law, Augusta National would prefer to keep the focus on blooming azaleas, pimento cheese sandwiches and tricky greens.
Tiger Woods was driving more than 80 mph — nearly twice the posted speed limit — on a downhill stretch of road when he lost control of an SUV and crashed in a wreck that seriously injured the golf superstar, authorities said Wednesday.
Dustin Johnson didn't feel like his Masters victory was less significant last fall because no fans were at Augusta National to see his win and celebrate with him.
It was April 7, 2003. Exactly 18 years ago Wednesday, Syracuse defeated Kansas to win the NCAA men's basketball national championship. The biggest win in school history, the biggest win in the Hall of Fame career of Orange coach Jim Boeheim.
From the dogwoods and their white blooms to thousands of azalea bushes bursting with purple and pink, all the April colors have returned to Augusta National except for one.