Augusta Day 3: At Least We Know Who Won't Win

The answer to that one is "Ryan Moore"

Since Moore won the Par-3 tourney in Augusta with a 6-under 21, no winner of the short tourney on Wednesday has gone on to win the 72 hole event by Sunday night. Ray Floyd and Chip Beck each finished second after winning the Par-3, and that's as close as anyone has ever gotten.

One of the larger issues for independent business people around the tourney is the idea of parking. Patrons can get access to 8,500 free parking spaces near the course. But for those who are getting there a little late can find lots to park. But those who are paying is a lessening number...

Nicole Snyder caught up with some of the other folks trying to lure patrons to park in their lots instead...
((HT: WJBF-TV))
WJBF-TV ABC 6 Augusta-Aiken News, Weather, Sports

Augusta Day Two: So, How Much Would You Spend On Gear...???

((HT: WJBF-TV))

It's a mandatory act that anyone- patrons and media alike- do when they hit the golf course this week...

Head to the gear shop and spend an effing fortune- since it's the only place on the planet (short of eBay) where you can grab something with the logo that thousands wish to own on their person...

Julie Parise was very busy...
WJBF-TV ABC 6 Augusta-Aiken News, Weather, Sports

The HQ has been known to spend a few hundy on its own without as much as blinking an eye...
((HT: Universal Pictures))


See our point...??? Different sport, same philosophy...

DEVELOPING: Adam Scott Wins In Augusta

((HT: CBS Sports/Augusta National Golf Club))

Becoming the first at something is pretty cool...

And it took a while, but Adam Scott will be the victim of more blatantly obvious puns for headlines than the next guy who wins a golf major in Augusta. It took a birdie on the 72nd hole by both Scott and Angel Cabrera to get to extra golf. And it took the putt below on the 74th hole to get a very cool piece of clothing...


Scott becomes the first Australasian to win the Augusta tournament...

And, no Stevie Williams hasn't won anything... ever...
But it will be interesting to hear how he takes his digs at his former employer...

More when we know more...

DEVELOPING: Tiger Penalized Two Strokes For Saturday...Updated

Well, there's the start for your Saturday in Augusta...

Here's what started the furor...
((HT: ESPN/Augusta National Golf Club))


After the round, Tiger admitted the following...
"I went back to where I played it from, but I went 2 yards further back and I took, tried to take 2 yards off the shot of what I felt I hit," Woods said.

Woods signed for a 1-under-par 71, which included the 6 on 15. With a two-stroke penalty now added, it's now an 8 on 15 and a 73 on Friday. He will be at 1 under par overall, and five shots out of the lead.

Now, he'll be just mad...the issue with his drop was whether or not he was dropping "as nearly as possible" to the spot where the shot was last played- violating Rule 26-1.

Reaction has been all over the board...

@danjenkinsgd In other news, everyone gets a mulligan off the first and 10th tees and one free throw from trouble on each nine

Jason Sobel ‏@JasonSobelGC
New TV rule is meant for situation such as when ball moves and player doesn't see it. Player ignorance toward rules does not apply here.

Sir Nick Faldo also disagrees. Tiger "breached the rules. Simple as that."

And... discuss...

**NoonUpdate from Tiger his ownself** (or whomever does his Twitter feed):

I didn’t know I had taken an incorrect drop prior to signing my scorecard. Subsequently, I met with the Masters Committee Saturday morning..

and was advised they had reviewed the incident prior to the completion of my round. Their initial determination...

was that there was no violation, but they had additional concerns based on my post-round interview. After discussing the situation...

...with them this morning, I was assessed a two-shot penalty. I understand and accept the penalty and respect the Committees’ decision.

Lady A Plus Golf= Lady Hazed...

((HT: Lady Antebellum/LoudMouth Apparel))

In honor of the tournament in east Georgia this week... the HQ decided to give you, our faithful reader, some music to pay attention to the tourney with... that has nothing to do with hearing a Loggins family member...

Jason Aldean's tune gets (um) remixed by Lady Antebellum...
Enjoy...

Augusta Golf Monday: Bubba Speaks

((HT: WJBF-TV))

This week is the really prestigious golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia...

The HQ has covered it a combined twenty times or so... and we've seen a lot...
Len Mattiace had his chance at glory... only to be denied in a playoff by Mike Weir...
Some guy names Tiger when he was the most dominant golfer on the planet...
Watson and Nicklaus rolling back the hands of time to contend late in the weekend...

And that's barely the beginning...

But we'll rely on Matt and Tom to get you the best stories of this week off Washington Road...
Monday was the press conference for the defending champ- and he didn't disappoint...
WJBF-TV ABC 6 Augusta-Aiken News, Weather, Sports

We've already had him hit a hole in one during a practice round, but only three guys have ever gone back-to-back. It'll be a tall order for this Watson to repeat...

But, when you do this...anything is possible, right...???
((HT: BBC/Augusta National Golf Club))

DEVELOPING: Augusta Admits First Two Women Members

The Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters golf tournament, has admitted its first 2 women members: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore.

Moore is the vice president of Rainwater, Incorporated, a private investment company and is involved in non-profit work in the state of South Carolina as well...

Augusta national chair Billy Payne issued a statement that read in part:

"This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club. We are fortunate to consider many qualified candidates for membership at Augusta National. Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time. The process for Condoleezza and Darla was no different.

"These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their Green Jackets when the Club opens this fall.

"This is a significant and positive time in our Club's history and, on behalf of our membership, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them and all of our new members into the Augusta National family."

Here's early returns from our friends at WRDW-TV in Augusta


More when we know more...

Jose Maria Olazabal: Busted for speeding in rural GA

Jose Maria Olazabal/Courtesy: Effingham County Sheriff

1st rule of driving through rural Georgia: You better be REAL careful if you are speeding.

Apparently, Spanish golfer Jose Maria Olazabal didn't read the rule book before making the drive from Augusta, Georgia to Hilton Head, South Carolina on Monday morning.

Olazabal was pulled over in Effingham County, Georgia for driving a bit fast. Specifically, he was cited for driving 97mph in a 65mph zone.

As you can see by the photo on the right, he was booked, however, according to reports, he paid his fine immediately and continued on his merry way...albeit a bit lighter in the wallet.

Olazabal missed the cut at the Masters this past weekend, but apparently he hung around to watch Georgia grad Bubba Watson get the win.

Because we never get tired of posting this song: