mrbojumbles

Shanks for the memories

Post by: Reece Lightning

// May 26th, 2009 // News

Nothing from the Masters has been posted on mrbojumbles since the event, so I thought I’d touch on a couple of memories that will remain with me from this years contest.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little sorry for Kenny P. The 48 year old could almost taste the sweet smell of moth balls in the emerald green jacket, he had basically slipped one sleeve on after his spectacular birdie at the 16th, two shots in front with two play at the Masters. However for Kenny, he would not set the record for the oldest ever major champion on this occasion. Enter Angel, the large cumbersome lopey Argentine with only one win to his name on American soil, the US Open. What separated Cabrera from the field was his short game execution when it mattered the most. On the slippery slopes of Augusta National’s greens, Cabrera earned his victory as much as Kenny lost the tournament. Kenny fell apart over the last two holes while down the stretch Cabrera was clinical, two under in his final six holes of regulation play, one putting the final four holes and lets not forget his special par save a the first playoff hole. So it was Cabrera, a deserving champion closing out his second major win on the 2nd playoff hole.

Above all it will be Angels shot on the 8th I will remember the most, remember it? Maybe not. Well if you were like me and got up to watch the full days play you would have been heartened and utterly shocked at the same time to see a shank… yes you heard it, the dreaded shank. From the middle of the fairway Cabrera sent his approach to the eighth green violently heading at right angles to the patrons on the right. Commentator Peter Alliss took pains to avoid saying it, he actually referred to it using cockney rhyming slang as a ‘J Arthur Rank’, commentary colleague Sam Torrance sidestepped the word by calling it a ‘socket’. In true Latin American form, Angel shrugged it off and wandered off to find his ball, de nada.

A couple more points to mention from a masters week full of action, it would be rude to not mention the rock star pairing of Phil and Tiger, the shots they produced in there epic final round duel were simply stunning, only coming up a tad short in the end but gee whiz it was special to witness. Shingo Katayama’s hat, still the best hat in world golf, a true star and crowd favorite around Augusta National and worthy man for me to bet on. Danny Lee’s six putt, wow. As for Cambo, he keeps harping on that the course is ‘unfair’ to him, I’ve almost lost count now but from memory its 8 early exits from 8 visits. Well Cambo, last I checked, golf isn’t fair.

Full credit to Angel though, everyone present at the Masters champagne breakfast I was at was rooting for him. What makes this victory even more significant is the fact that everyone around the world can relate to the way you play the game… not the way your big dog eats hundreds of yards of the tee, not the exquisite touch you showed on the greens at the holy grail of golf, not the composure you showed face the brilliant green dinner coat, but for the fact that the calamities in golf can befall anyone.

You may be the only person we will ever see do a shank and win the Masters on the same day.