There’s a sure electrical energy within the air when the gates open at Augusta Nationwide throughout Masters week. For me, that feeling by no means fades, irrespective of what number of instances I stroll these hallowed grounds. This 12 months marks my 14th journey to the Masters, and even in any case this time, the sense of custom, excellence, and sheer magic is as sturdy as ever.
As a PGA Skilled, I’ve the distinctive privilege of seeing the event from a unique angle, not simply as a fan, however as a fellow member of the occupation. And on the primary day of the 2025 Masters, that perspective gave me a front-row seat to one of the unforgettable pictures of the day. Let’s discuss Freddie.
Fred {Couples}. The person is greater than only a Masters champion. Round right here, they name him the mayor of Augusta Nationwide. There’s a purpose for that. Through the follow rounds, he’s in every single place, smiling, speaking, catching up with mates outdated and new. It’s like watching somebody stroll by a highschool reunion the place everybody else is simply glad to see him. However Freddie isn’t simply right here to smile and reminisce. On Thursday, he reminded us why he’s nonetheless one of the beloved figures in golf.
The shot got here on the par-4 14th gap, often called Chinese language Fir. It’s a 440-yard check of technique and management. Youthful gamers in the present day are hitting mid and even low irons into that inexperienced on their second shot. However Freddie, now 65, confirmed that have and contact nonetheless matter greater than brute energy.
From my vantage level, I noticed him gap out for eagle. It was a type of moments that provides you goosebumps, pure, basic Masters magic. There’s historical past on that gap. Phil Mickelson made eagle there years in the past throughout certainly one of his well-known back-nine expenses. However Thursday belonged to Freddie.
He completed the day with a one-under-par 71. Let that sink in. One beneath, at 65 years outdated, in one of the demanding tournaments on this planet. That’s what makes Augusta so particular.
It’s the one main championship that returns to the identical course 12 months after 12 months, and that continuity offers the veterans an opportunity to shine. For gamers like Fred {Couples}, Phil Mickelson, and Bernhard Langer, who’s taking part in in his closing Masters this 12 months, it’s extra than simply nostalgia. It’s a respectable alternative to compete.
And in the event you perceive the course the way in which these guys do, in the event you can nonetheless put it on the market 250 or 260 off the tee, you possibly can completely contend. The secret is positioning. You can’t afford to overlook within the incorrect spots off the tee. Augusta calls for precision. The inexperienced complexes are treacherous, and in the event you’re out of place, even an incredible brief sport may not prevent. However these seasoned champions have the sort of information that solely time can provide.
Justin Rose set the tempo with a powerful opening spherical, and gamers like Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau are proper there within the hunt. There are fireworks nonetheless to come back, little doubt. However for me, the shot of the day got here not from a rising star, however from a legend who is aware of these fairways higher than most.
That’s the great thing about the Masters. It’s about extra than simply who hits the ball the farthest. It’s about who can assume their approach round this place, who can profit from each alternative, and who can rise to the second, irrespective of their age.
Congratulations, Freddie. And thanks for reminding us what greatness actually appears to be like like.
Brendon is Class A PGA Skilled and based Little Linksters, LLC, and its nonprofit arm, the Little Linksters Affiliation for Junior Golf Improvement. He gained 25+ prestigious business honors, together with the 2017 PGA Nationwide Youth Participant Improvement Award. He graduated from the PGA of America Administration Program and has a handicap index of seven.8.
He has performed golf for over 40 years and at present performs twice a month on the Eagle Dunes Golf Membership close to Sorrento, Florida. He loves Srixon golf equipment and performs a ZX5 driver with Z 585 irons. He is written over 60 articles on GolfSpan and makes a speciality of sharing ideas to enhance your golf sport. You may join with Brendon at LinkedIn, X, IG, FB, his web site, or BrendonElliott@pga.com.
