Houston Open and Masters

Russell Henry won the Shell Houston Open, the last place in the Masters, me a nice few quid as Jeremy Chapman had recommended him and the Pargie tenner was on that at 40-1. He is always a golfer I have liked. A lovely putter but not one of the robotic output of collegiate golf, there is something of the surfer about him. His final round was 5 under enabling him to overhaul Korean Sung Kang.

So he takes up the final 54th place at the first Major, the Masters commencing next Thursday. There is a significant British interest and input. Gone are the days when only Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood flew the Union Jack as there are nine Britsh golfers trying to wear the green jacket that one Danny Willettt has in his cupboard; Rory Mcilroy, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Tyrell Hatton, Andy Sullivan, Matt Fitzpatrick, Chris Wood, Tommy Fleetwood and the holder Willett. Only one debutant has won the Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1969, though Jordan Spieth and Danny Willett won it on their second go. Course management and experience are vital. Justin Rose says his Augusta yardage book is his most treasured possession. The broad fairways are not fearsome, it’s all about placement on the green and knowing your angles. For that experience I will be backing Justin. The favourite after his match play win will be Dustin Johnson at a skinny price but the finalist in that event Joe Rahm has the game for a top five finish. Jason Day’s head is not right with his mother’s illness whilst Jordan Spieth will have bitter memories of those 4 putts on Amen Corner.

The azaleas and rhododendrons will be out, Pargie has a few quid in the war chest and after dipping into that for the midweek trip with the missus to IKEA I will be setting up home in my easy chair from Thursday to the early hours of Monday morning.