Under The Masters Microscope: Defending Champ Trevor Immelman
Birthday: December 16 1979
Birth Place: Cape Town, South Africa
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 12 stone 2lb
Turned Pro: 1999
Trevor took up golf aged five and is from a family steeped in golf. His older brother Mark is also a professional and his father Johan was a former commissioner of the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.
Trevor married his childhood sweetheart, Carmenita, on 6 December 2003. He withdrew from the 2006 Open Championship to be with her for the birth of their first child.
In December 2007, Immelman withdrew from the South African Airways Open due to severe discomfort around his ribcage area. He underwent surgery one week later and doctors discovered a lesion approximately the size of a golf ball on his diaphragm. (Immelman remarked in an interview on the obvious irony of the size of the lesion). It was diagnosed as a benign calcified fibrosis tumor. Nevertheless, treatment and recovery caused him to miss the first eight weeks of the 2008 PGA Tour season. However, Immelman then came back to win the 2008 Masters Tournament.
What’s In The Bag
Driver
Nike SQ Sumo 5000 with str8-fit technology. 10.5º loft but adjusted two clicks open and less one degree allowing Trevor to launch high with low spin. Fitted with 45 inch, Fubuki 73g, x-flex shaft
3&5 Wood
Nike SQ Dymo. Designed with the input of Immelman these clubs have the weight positioned back in the face to allow high launch from tight lies. 83 Fubuki x-flex shaft.
Irons 3-PW
Nike Victory Red forged split cavity back irons with true temper X100 shafts. who want the look and feel of blade, with the forgiveness of a muscle back. The Victory Red Irons didn’t come about of some marketing idea to produce another set of golf clubs for the sake of selling. This new line of golf clubs are a part of an evolutionary process over the past three years by Nike Engineers to develop a set of irons based on feedback from its Tour players.
Wedges
54º and 60º Nike Victory Red forged tour wedges with S400 shafts. Custom grind by Nike. Changed every six months because the grooves get worn from practise.
Putter
A moveable feast but probably an odyssey 34 inch heavy blade at Augusta.
Faldo Ruined My Masters!
1 Toothless Shark (1996)
At the time “The Shark” was untouchable. Going into the final round of the
Masters in 1996, Greg Norman lead by six shots. What transpired thereafter went down in history as one of the greatest meltdowns in Major history. Norman poked it around in a dreadful 78, six over par, losing a six-stroke lead to cardigan clad Nick Faldo, who finished with a brilliant 67. "I screwed up," was Normans philosophical conclusion afterwards.
2 Do the Chokey Hoch-ey (1989)
He’s the man that single handedly unified and inspired so many European Ryder Cup teams but did you know that Scott Hoch missed two tiddlers to win the Masters in 1989. The first was at the 17th, where his missed par putt allowed Nick Faldo to draw level. Hoch and Faldo played off and on the first hole of sudden death, Hoch’s 30 inch putt never even threatened the cup. Faldo birdied the next to win. "I'm glad I don't carry a gun with me," said Hoch in the press room after. Can’t say I share his sentiments!
3. Floyd Fills His Pants (1990)
At the 1990 Masters, 47 year old Ray Floyd took a four-stroke lead into the final round. By the 17th the lead was down to one shot. Conscious of his position, Floyd three stabbed on the green to fall back into a share of the lead with Nick Faldo. I remember my Dad woke me from my sleep just in time to watch Floyd hit a 7-iron into a pond beside the green on the second playoff hole. Faldo parred the hole, to retain the title. "The pressure basically got to me," said Floyd after. He’s obviously never worked for a newspaper or he would know that “Pressure is for tyres!”
Bloggy Underfoot- State of the Nation Going Into The First Major
Its Masters time again and personally I can’t wait! Is it going to be one of those years where an over par score wins or will be closer to ten under? The general consensus on the matter is that the need for distance off the tee is not a huge factor in Augusta this year. The weather has been kinder and the going is good. Mind you distance hasn’t proven the key in either of the last two years either; Trevor Immelman is a 270 yard-ish driver that could afford a final round 75 in gusting winds and still win at eight under last year. The year before Zach Johnson laid up at all the par fives on his way to victory. Let’s have a glance at the chances of this years usual suspects.
The obvious favourite is Tiger Woods or as I like to call him now “The Incredible
Hulk”. True, Tiger’s form is amazing having romped straight back into the winner’s enclosure in Bay Hill, but does this major hurdle come a little bit early on in his comeback? I think it does, his driving hasn’t been great over the last couple of weeks and straight driving wins at Augusta. Last year Immelman was number one in “fairways hit” over Masters week, the year previous, Johnson was second in the stats. So it’s not quite nailed on for Tiger.
Next up is big Phil, or rather, leaner meaner Phil. He is coming off two big wins at the Northern Trust and the WGC CA Championship but they were on bombers courses, 19 and 15 under won respectively. We’ll also have to forgive him for his performance in Houston; he got caught on the wrong side of the draw and thus the weather. Mickelson says he loves his new Callaway driver but I still don’t like the way he sits in behind it, there’s just too much chance of a massive pull hook off the tee. In Augusta, even with Phil’s amazing powers of recovery, a bout of dodgy driving would surely put paid to his chances.
What about Harrington, to my mind the most intelligent course manager in the field? He surely has the mental toughness to deal with any stumbles Augusta might have in store for him. I’m pretty sure too I caught a glimpse of that glint in his eye when he was holing out from everywhere in Bay Hill. He again proved rock solid in Houston. As Frank “the knob” Nobilo said on the Golf Channel, if Paddy puts the whole three in a row thing out of his mind, he has a great chance. If he lets it bog him down, he will be a faller.
What about the rest? You have to like the way Retief Goosen has come back this year. Winner in South Africa and in the Transitions on the PGA tour, Goosen has the game and the putter which is arguably suited best of anyone for Augusta, but just don’t mention words like “Bawk” or “Collapse” anywhere within ear shot of him on Sunday. It’s hard also to make a case for the likes of Ernie Els or Adam Scott who seem to have lost their magic powers and Vijay, who seems to have returned to quick from leg surgery.
Of course the Masters has a way of throwing up the most unlikely of winners. What do I think? Probably Tiger, but I have a hankering for Harrington or get this, Jim Furyk. I heard he did a huge amount of putting practice in the off-season and you can’t argue with his driving, his irons or his temperament. Bring it on!
I Want One Of Those
Masters Green Jacket
Some people will go to any lengths to get an autograph. The guys at gottahaveitgolf.com are the world’s undisputed memorabilia kings. Being that Masters Green Jackets are about as rare as Government tax cuts, they have actually produced their own exact replicas and had some of the most famous Augusta winners sign up. You can pick up a signed Jack Nicklaus jacket for a mere $4995.
Tailored Shorts
Augusta Changes
Augusta National will be shorter for the Masters this year -- but only by 10 yards on the scorecard, with the option to trim off a few more yards depending on the weather.
The back of the first tee was moved forward seven yards, primarily
to help the movement of the gallery between the tee and the putting green. An additional 10 yards was added to the front of the tee on the 450-yard seventh hole, and nearly 10 yards were added to the front of the 530-yard 15th hole, although neither hole required a change in the official length. This allows tournament organizers the flexibility to move the tees depending on the wind. Gusts of up to 20 mph were a factor in the final round of last years event.
Augusta’s Par 3 Course
Wednesday at Augusta is traditionally with the par-3 competition where pro’s skim balls on water, kids caddy, holes in one are plentiful and basically anything goes. Watch out for it on TV again this year. The course is built around two ponds which are in play on almost every hole. The greens are tiny and also have tightly mowed banks sloping severely down to the water. Paul Azinger once called it "the best golf course in the world." The winner of the par-3 competition has never gone on to win the Masters.
Food Fight at Augusta
They say the folks at Augusta are stuck in the 20th century and it seems the food prices for spectators bear that out. This weeks menu includes a choice of eight sandwiches for $1.50. A famous Master Club sandwich will set you back $2.50. Even if you have one of everything on the Patrons Menu (that’s Masters insider talk) it comes to less than $30.
Top Of The Pops
Augusta has been named by the best course in the world by the all-seeing, all knowing Golf Digest magazine. Augusta, which was ranked third in the 2007-08 listing, has come under fire of late from legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer who believe recent changes to lengthen the course and pinch some fairways have weakened Augusta, not strengthened it. The folks who vote in the Golf Digest rankings clearly disagree. Augusta pips Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey to top spot.
Birthday: December 16 1979
Birth Place: Cape Town, South Africa
Height: 5’9’’
Weight: 12 stone 2lb
Turned Pro: 1999
Trevor took up golf aged five and is from a family steeped in golf. His older brother Mark is also a professional and his father Johan was a former commissioner of the Sunshine Tour in South Africa.
Trevor married his childhood sweetheart, Carmenita, on 6 December 2003. He withdrew from the 2006 Open Championship to be with her for the birth of their first child.
In December 2007, Immelman withdrew from the South African Airways Open due to severe discomfort around his ribcage area. He underwent surgery one week later and doctors discovered a lesion approximately the size of a golf ball on his diaphragm. (Immelman remarked in an interview on the obvious irony of the size of the lesion). It was diagnosed as a benign calcified fibrosis tumor. Nevertheless, treatment and recovery caused him to miss the first eight weeks of the 2008 PGA Tour season. However, Immelman then came back to win the 2008 Masters Tournament.
What’s In The Bag
Driver
Nike SQ Sumo 5000 with str8-fit technology. 10.5º loft but adjusted two clicks open and less one degree allowing Trevor to launch high with low spin. Fitted with 45 inch, Fubuki 73g, x-flex shaft
3&5 Wood
Nike SQ Dymo. Designed with the input of Immelman these clubs have the weight positioned back in the face to allow high launch from tight lies. 83 Fubuki x-flex shaft.
Irons 3-PW
Nike Victory Red forged split cavity back irons with true temper X100 shafts. who want the look and feel of blade, with the forgiveness of a muscle back. The Victory Red Irons didn’t come about of some marketing idea to produce another set of golf clubs for the sake of selling. This new line of golf clubs are a part of an evolutionary process over the past three years by Nike Engineers to develop a set of irons based on feedback from its Tour players.
Wedges
54º and 60º Nike Victory Red forged tour wedges with S400 shafts. Custom grind by Nike. Changed every six months because the grooves get worn from practise.
Putter
A moveable feast but probably an odyssey 34 inch heavy blade at Augusta.
Faldo Ruined My Masters!
1 Toothless Shark (1996)
At the time “The Shark” was untouchable. Going into the final round of the
Masters in 1996, Greg Norman lead by six shots. What transpired thereafter went down in history as one of the greatest meltdowns in Major history. Norman poked it around in a dreadful 78, six over par, losing a six-stroke lead to cardigan clad Nick Faldo, who finished with a brilliant 67. "I screwed up," was Normans philosophical conclusion afterwards.2 Do the Chokey Hoch-ey (1989)
He’s the man that single handedly unified and inspired so many European Ryder Cup teams but did you know that Scott Hoch missed two tiddlers to win the Masters in 1989. The first was at the 17th, where his missed par putt allowed Nick Faldo to draw level. Hoch and Faldo played off and on the first hole of sudden death, Hoch’s 30 inch putt never even threatened the cup. Faldo birdied the next to win. "I'm glad I don't carry a gun with me," said Hoch in the press room after. Can’t say I share his sentiments!
3. Floyd Fills His Pants (1990)
At the 1990 Masters, 47 year old Ray Floyd took a four-stroke lead into the final round. By the 17th the lead was down to one shot. Conscious of his position, Floyd three stabbed on the green to fall back into a share of the lead with Nick Faldo. I remember my Dad woke me from my sleep just in time to watch Floyd hit a 7-iron into a pond beside the green on the second playoff hole. Faldo parred the hole, to retain the title. "The pressure basically got to me," said Floyd after. He’s obviously never worked for a newspaper or he would know that “Pressure is for tyres!”Bloggy Underfoot- State of the Nation Going Into The First Major
Its Masters time again and personally I can’t wait! Is it going to be one of those years where an over par score wins or will be closer to ten under? The general consensus on the matter is that the need for distance off the tee is not a huge factor in Augusta this year. The weather has been kinder and the going is good. Mind you distance hasn’t proven the key in either of the last two years either; Trevor Immelman is a 270 yard-ish driver that could afford a final round 75 in gusting winds and still win at eight under last year. The year before Zach Johnson laid up at all the par fives on his way to victory. Let’s have a glance at the chances of this years usual suspects.The obvious favourite is Tiger Woods or as I like to call him now “The Incredible
Hulk”. True, Tiger’s form is amazing having romped straight back into the winner’s enclosure in Bay Hill, but does this major hurdle come a little bit early on in his comeback? I think it does, his driving hasn’t been great over the last couple of weeks and straight driving wins at Augusta. Last year Immelman was number one in “fairways hit” over Masters week, the year previous, Johnson was second in the stats. So it’s not quite nailed on for Tiger.Next up is big Phil, or rather, leaner meaner Phil. He is coming off two big wins at the Northern Trust and the WGC CA Championship but they were on bombers courses, 19 and 15 under won respectively. We’ll also have to forgive him for his performance in Houston; he got caught on the wrong side of the draw and thus the weather. Mickelson says he loves his new Callaway driver but I still don’t like the way he sits in behind it, there’s just too much chance of a massive pull hook off the tee. In Augusta, even with Phil’s amazing powers of recovery, a bout of dodgy driving would surely put paid to his chances.
What about Harrington, to my mind the most intelligent course manager in the field? He surely has the mental toughness to deal with any stumbles Augusta might have in store for him. I’m pretty sure too I caught a glimpse of that glint in his eye when he was holing out from everywhere in Bay Hill. He again proved rock solid in Houston. As Frank “the knob” Nobilo said on the Golf Channel, if Paddy puts the whole three in a row thing out of his mind, he has a great chance. If he lets it bog him down, he will be a faller.
What about the rest? You have to like the way Retief Goosen has come back this year. Winner in South Africa and in the Transitions on the PGA tour, Goosen has the game and the putter which is arguably suited best of anyone for Augusta, but just don’t mention words like “Bawk” or “Collapse” anywhere within ear shot of him on Sunday. It’s hard also to make a case for the likes of Ernie Els or Adam Scott who seem to have lost their magic powers and Vijay, who seems to have returned to quick from leg surgery.
Of course the Masters has a way of throwing up the most unlikely of winners. What do I think? Probably Tiger, but I have a hankering for Harrington or get this, Jim Furyk. I heard he did a huge amount of putting practice in the off-season and you can’t argue with his driving, his irons or his temperament. Bring it on!
I Want One Of Those
Masters Green Jacket
Some people will go to any lengths to get an autograph. The guys at gottahaveitgolf.com are the world’s undisputed memorabilia kings. Being that Masters Green Jackets are about as rare as Government tax cuts, they have actually produced their own exact replicas and had some of the most famous Augusta winners sign up. You can pick up a signed Jack Nicklaus jacket for a mere $4995.Tailored Shorts
Augusta Changes
Augusta National will be shorter for the Masters this year -- but only by 10 yards on the scorecard, with the option to trim off a few more yards depending on the weather.
The back of the first tee was moved forward seven yards, primarily
to help the movement of the gallery between the tee and the putting green. An additional 10 yards was added to the front of the tee on the 450-yard seventh hole, and nearly 10 yards were added to the front of the 530-yard 15th hole, although neither hole required a change in the official length. This allows tournament organizers the flexibility to move the tees depending on the wind. Gusts of up to 20 mph were a factor in the final round of last years event.Augusta’s Par 3 Course
Wednesday at Augusta is traditionally with the par-3 competition where pro’s skim balls on water, kids caddy, holes in one are plentiful and basically anything goes. Watch out for it on TV again this year. The course is built around two ponds which are in play on almost every hole. The greens are tiny and also have tightly mowed banks sloping severely down to the water. Paul Azinger once called it "the best golf course in the world." The winner of the par-3 competition has never gone on to win the Masters.
Food Fight at Augusta
They say the folks at Augusta are stuck in the 20th century and it seems the food prices for spectators bear that out. This weeks menu includes a choice of eight sandwiches for $1.50. A famous Master Club sandwich will set you back $2.50. Even if you have one of everything on the Patrons Menu (that’s Masters insider talk) it comes to less than $30.
Top Of The Pops
Augusta has been named by the best course in the world by the all-seeing, all knowing Golf Digest magazine. Augusta, which was ranked third in the 2007-08 listing, has come under fire of late from legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer who believe recent changes to lengthen the course and pinch some fairways have weakened Augusta, not strengthened it. The folks who vote in the Golf Digest rankings clearly disagree. Augusta pips Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey to top spot.
