Column: A Masters without fans is missing patrons, too
By now, even the green jackets who run the Masters should have given up, though historically theyâve found that almost as difficult to do as raise the price of a pimento cheese sandwich.
The tournament is missing something this year, as anyone who glanced at a TV screen Thursday could see. But letâs at least agree on what to call them, even if ESPNâs announcers are forbidden under penalty of never again setting foot on the grounds of Augusta National to use the word.
Hereâs a hint: Theyâre not patrons.
No, the Masters is missing fans and, if the opening round was any indication, missing them badly. On every shot and at every turn Thursday we were reminded of it. And if that wasnât enough ESPN ran a promotional spot that tried to assure us this was still the Masters, even without them.
As the music soared in the background, we saw clips of great Masters moments from the past, with a promise this year would be just as special.
``Greatness realized without thunderous applause is no less great,ââ the announcer solemnly intoned.
That may yet turn out to be true but on this day there were no great moments to applaud, even at home. There wasnât even a chance to watch half the field complete their rounds, thanks to the short days of fall and a rain delay that will jumble up the week even more.
Yes, Tiger Woods played surprisingly well, not making a bogey on his way to a 68. Larry Mize did OK, too, for a 62-year-old who wouldnât be allowed to compete with todayâs stars anywhere else.
And Paul Casey managed to not only shoot a 65 to take the early lead, but somehow find inspiration where other players couldnât.
``It still has a buzz to it,ââ Casey said about the tournament. ``Thereâs an energy and a little bit of a vibe. Yes, itâs clearly a lot less than what we are used to but thereâs something about this place that ... I felt excited to be here.ââ
So, apparently, did Woods, who was last seen at Augusta National as deafening roars washed over the 18th green last year celebrating his win for the ages. Woods matched his best opening score in a Masters, serving notice that he could be a factor on the weekend.
And if the fans werenât there to watch, the drones were.
``There was a drone flying over the putting green. Down one (fairway) you could hear the drone over there. You donât hear drones here,ââ Woods said. ``Thereâs no patrons, no roars. Thatâs very different. A lot of firsts today.ââ
Holding a Masters just before Thanksgiving never seemed right to begin with, though the pandemic left the green jackets with little choice. They could have canceled the tournament but figured that golf fans would embrace Augusta National in the fall even if they had to do it remotely.
And the bottom line is theyâll still give out a green jacket on Sunday, though it will be earlier in the day than usual because CBS has NFL commitments. Years from now this yearâs champion probably wonât even be asked about the unusual circumstances behind his win.
Thereâs also the added bonus for golf fans watching on TV of seeing parts of Augusta National they knew nothing about because of the crush of people usually on the course. They could see where billionaires walk, even if theyâll likely never walk there themselves.
Indeed, Augusta National looked beautiful in all its naked glory. Itâs a spectacular piece of land with a hallowed place in golf history and should be appreciated as such.
Take away the tee shot at No. 12 or the second at 15, though, and this might as well be the Safeway Open. Fans matter at Augusta National, it turns out, and they matter a lot.
``It kind of feels like a round with your friends,ââ former champion Mike Weir said. ``You know itâs a tournament and you have the tournament energy, but itâs a completely different feel. Part of this tournament, what makes it so special is the patrons and the roars. Of course, weâre not there yet. Hopefully in April theyâll be able to get back.ââ
April is still five months away. Thereâs plenty of time for the roars to come back, assuming that by then spectators are allowed to come back.
For now, though, it just doesnât seem like the Masters for most watching at home until they turn the volume up on the TV.
Outside of the opera, itâs the only place they hear anyone talking about patrons.
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Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg