The traditional formalities and traditions at The Masters are happening, the Champions Dinner, the Par 3 Tournament and so much more.
I am just here to look after my bosses on the range. It is always a long week for everyone and the first round cannot come quick enough for me. The first and second round tee times have been published.
Brooks Koepka is paired with Danny Willett, the 2016 champion, so it is always interesting for me to have two of my players in a group. The threeball is made up by Gary Woodland, who won the 2019 US Open with me at Pebble Beach Golf Links and tees off at 11.54am local time.
Still friends
Thomas Pieters makes up my threeball of players this week on the range, teeing off on Thursday at 9.36am along with Shane Lowry and Mackenzie Hughes.
Tuesday saw Brooks playing a practice round with Rory McIlroy. Rory texted Brooks following his win in the LIV Golf — Orlando on Sunday afternoon and a practice round was agreed. Who says there is a rift? After all the players are just competing elite golfers and mostly still friends.
My personal concern on the matter as a golf fan is that the top players in the world of golf should be playing together as often as they can — all the current noise and landscape moving forward, especially longer term, suggests that is not going to, perhaps, be the case, and then everyone loses!
Iconic hole
There has not been much talk so far this week about the new enhanced and extended tee area on the par five 13th hole, appropriately called Azalea. A further 35 yards has been added to this iconic hole, which now plays at 545 yards.
The weather will make all the difference, especially if the wind blows, as it has a habit of doing around Amen Corner and where the tees are positioned — the officials have a lot of options.
The weather forecast for Thursday looks ideal with temperatures as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit and a light breeze. For Friday and onwards over the weekend the weather looks ominous with temperatures in the day as low as mid-50s with rain predicted — heavy at times. This will play into the hands of the long hitters as the ball will not fly as far in the cooler temperatures.
Waterproofs and winter clothing
This forecast will definitely test the players, patrons, media, TV broadcasters, officials, caddies and especially golf coaches. Thursday looks like Dubai weather and Saturday looks like Rotherham weather in February! With no mobile phones allowed by officials, with no way to talk and text with my players and others and vice versa, which is nice for so many reasons, it just means I am parked on the range all day, from first light until my players have left the property.
Let me just check my luggage to check the waterproofs are packed along with my winter clothing I usually keep at home.
Enjoy the Par 3 if you are watching it on TV and speak to you all tomorrow.
— Peter Cowen is a world-renowned golf coach with academies in the UAE and England.
