No, Tiger didn’t get his fourth green jacket. Winners get a first one, and not another unless they get old and fat and their original no longer fits. I would guess they can then buy a new one any time they want. The jacket stays at the club, stored in the Champions’ Locker Room. Except for the current champion’s, which he is allowed to take home for the year.
The green jacket is for members of Augusta National Golf Club. Its original intent was so that staff would know who to give the check to at dinner. Members buy their own, some say for about $400.
James has an interesting wrap-up of the Masters, enough that Glenn Reynolds took note.
Before the weekend began, I was trying to define for myself that Tour Pro who would now wear the monkey of “Best golfer never to have won a major” on his back. I couldn’t think of any that fit. James, after watching the Masters, has a nominee:
DiMarco, on the other hand, left this event with his reputation dramatically enhanced. He’ll probably even officially be crowned the best player to never have won a major. His wait won’t be very long – he’s got game. He also has intestinal fortitude, something the good timing Arizonan and the irritating Fijian sometimes seem to lack.
DiMarco was impressive. He has game, and didn’t quit. Had he made his birdie putt on 16 after Tiger’s chip shot went in, he would be wearing the green jacket this morning. The 15-footer just slid by. I couldn’t believe he even managed to hit the ball with all the emotional energy floating around that green. He almost pulled it out with his own chip on 18. It crossed the hole, but didn’t fall in.
I think he was just completely done in by the end of the day. His approach shots at later holes came up just short. Twice on 18. The emotional, mental, and physical stress of performing at your peak for almost twelve hours can take their toll. They got to Tiger, too. What was impressive about DiMarco was that his short game held up under that stress. It is always the first thing to fail when I’m tired or mentally out of sorts.
This final day in Augusta will long be remembered by those who follow golf.
**** UPDATE ****
As a follow-up, the official Masters web site has the transcript of An Interview with Chris DiMarco.
Q. Explain the play at 15. I think a guy on television said when you laid up, you were playing for 2nd. Would you give your thought on that, please?
CHRIS DiMARCO: Who was that?
Q. On your play.
CHRIS DiMARCO: Who was that?
Q. Lanny.
CHRIS DiMARCO: Well, yeah. That’s Lanny (laughter).
Members buy their own, some say for about $400
They need to shop in Midland. I saw one that was virtually the same color at our Gentleman’s Agreement consignment store for $45.
Comment by Wallace-Midland Texas — April 11, 2005 @ 11:00 am
At our house, we’ve nicknamed him “Lame Lanny”! The sports MSM has their share of the same mindset that is rampant in the news MSM; negative!
Comment by DagneyT — April 11, 2005 @ 11:03 am
My bride and I watched the final round (even though it was our first anniversary) and enjoyed it thoroughly. DiMarco showed, as you say, that he has game. He has shown it before and will eventually find the winners spot is his. Tiger was, is, just too well adjusted to fall as quickly as others do after such a long day of playing at the very top of their game.
Comment by Marvin — April 11, 2005 @ 11:44 am
A thrift shop is the only place I’ll ever get one of those.
Comment by Bunker — April 11, 2005 @ 6:52 pm