Tiger Woods has long been the face for Nike in the world of golf.
He’s always worn their shoes but this week he showed up at Augusta National sporting Foot-Joy shoes. His choice is the Premier Series Packard model.
“I have very limited mobility — I needed something that was more stable,” Woods said, giving his reason for the switch. He noted that Nike is still working on providing him suitable on-course footwear as he starts his comeback to competitive golf.
Hideki’s Champions Dinner Menu:
Tuesday was the night for the Champions Dinner, a tradition started by Ben Hogan. This year, 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama had this menu:
Appetizers:
Assorted Sushi, Sashimi and Nigin Yakutori Chicken Skewers:
Entree:
Miso Glazed Black Cod with Dashi Broth.
Miyazki Wagyu: A5 Wagyu Beef Ribeye with Mixed Mushrooms and Vegetables.
Desert:
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake.
Bryson DeChambeau: Phil Mickelson’s “Gone Dark:”
Bryson DeChambeau is in this week’s field despite his recent injuries but he also revealed that he’s reached out recently to Phil Mickelson.
“I’ve tried to reach out, but he’s gone dark. There’s no contact,” DeChambeau said about his attempts to reach a man he considers a friend.
DeChambeau also said he’s playing against advice from his doctors.
I’m probably around 80 percent right now. I can’t go all-out. I can’t do any speed training sessions. I can’t practice for excessive hours like I have to figure stuff out.
“It’s also allowed me to become a little more – I guess could you say a little smarter in how I practice. Like I’ve got to be careful with things and really be efficient and limit the amount of golf balls I can hit. Today was the first time I can just go and hit golf balls for a long period of time and just get really comfortable and dialed in, so I feel pretty nice and comfortable going into this week so far.”
HIs doctors recommended he not play. “They recommended that I didn’t come back for a while. They said if you go out there and you hit golf balls and you feel somewhat comfortable, you can consider it. And hitting golf balls on the range, I was able to sustain practice for a good amount of time. So, I’m happy.
“They’re like, you should really let it heal. Even Chris (swing coach Chris Como) has told me, ‘You probably shouldn’t play’, even though he wants me to play, right? He’s looking out for my best interests for the future.”
Bad Weather Forces Late Morning Shutdown On Tuesday:
They know bad weather was rolling in and Tiger Woods’ timing was perfect on Tuesday. He got there just after 9 a.m., put in two solid hours of short game practice then headed for his press conference.
At 10:55 a.m., the course was shut down and patrons were required to leave the grounds. With the bad weather predicted to last into the evening, the course was shut down for the rest of Tuesday.
The unlucky who had tickets for the Tuesday practice round only, will be given a chance to buy Tuesday tickets for the 2023 Masters.
Masters Weather Report:
Weather, especially wind, is going to be a factor this week.
Wednesday (65 lo, 79 hi) 80% chance of rain; wind SW 11 mph.
Thursday (48 lo, 73 hi) 24% chance of rain; wind W 15 mph.
Friday: (44 lo, 66 hi) Sunny 2% rain chance; wind WSW 19 mph.
Saturday (41 lo, 60 hi) Sunny 2% rain chance; wind W 16 mph.
Sunday (44 lo, 69 hi) Sunny, 2% rain chance; wind WNW 7 mph.
Tiger Woods will benefit from his afternoon tee time on Friday and avoid the really chilly weather; Friday’s going to be a struggle with that wind. Add wind to the Masters (sorry Rory) and it will separate the contenders from the pretenders. More win on Saturday.
This is going to be fun!
Tiger Gets Final Prep On Back Nine Early Wednesday Morning:
Tiger Woods was out early, just after 7:20 a.m. and he headed to the 10th tee with BFF Justin Thomas and easy-going Freddie Couples.
It was Tiger’s final prep. He played the back nine on Sunday, front nine on Monday, short game work Tuesday morning before Augusta National shut down just before 11 a.m. when storms rolled into the area.
