By: Michael Palmieri 

     Hello friends, masters is a tradition in golf like no other. From the famous rolling hills to the pimento cheese sandwiches, Augusta National is always the talk of the golf world during April, and it was no different this year. Last year’s champion, Rory McIlroy, shot twelve under the four days of the masters, taking home the win again this year. McIlroy’s recent master’s success is cementing himself as one of the greatest of all time.  

     Now onto some other great Augusta traditions. The par three challenge is a family and fun focused event, featuring a nine-hole par 27 course where the players and family play the course. The tradition is fantastic because it takes away from the breath holding competitiveness of the master’s and adds a refreshing change of pace. The par three challenge highlights some of the sides and personality of golfers that we don’t often see because it’s hidden in their stoic poise on the course. Some highlights were Justin Thomas’s hole in one on hole two, Tommy Fleetwood’s hole in one on hole four, Wyndam Clark’s hole in one on hole seven, and Keegan Bradley’s hole in one on hole eight. Additionally, Tommy Fleetwood’s kid, Franklin Fleetwood, took the internet by storm during the par three challenge due to last year’s cute performance trying to make it to the green.  

     Blowups are a part of the game of golf because it is extremely hard. You need precision and repeatability if you want a chance to play well. Even for the pros those are not guaranteed; multiple fan favorites did not play their best and even a few temper tantrums. One of the most popular golfers today and favorite to win, Bryson DeChambeau, missed the cut on day two. Former Augusta Champion, Sergio Garcia, missed the cut and took it out on his clubs, chunking the ground and breaking his driver on a cooler. Fans are urging Garcia to be banned from Augusta because of his behavior.  

     Sunday in Augusta is arguably the most interesting day in golf, and this year it didn’t disappoint. With Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young tied for the lead going into the fourth day at eleven under, the tensions were extremely high. In an interview with Xander Russell avid golfer, he said, “I thought Scottie Scheffler or Justin Rose would come back and win it.” McIlroy, hunting for his repeat win at Augusta, didn’t notice Scottie Scheffler hot on his trail. McIlroy still had a hole to play with a two-stroke lead over Scottie Scheffler, who had already finished. McIlroy bogeyed the last hole to secure the win by one stroke.  

     As the Masters finish, and it warms up, enjoy some local golf! Well, now it’s onto the second major of the year, this May for the PGA championship!