The golfing world is abuzz with the Masters week just 4 days away and plenty has been happening off the course too. Last week’s WGC-Dell Matchplay produced a few exciting moments worth recounting and celebrities like Mark Wahlberg have been doing their bit in golf too. The Rock had his own moment of golfing fame with his big claim of reaching close to the world record of the longest drive.
Dustin Johnson continued his dominance at the top of the game with a victory at the WGC Matchplay championship but what stood out was that he never trailed in any of his matches throughout the week.
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With some unpredictable weather on the cards for the Masters week, there could be a lot of nervy moments and it remains to be seen if Tiger Woods and Jason Day will be in play or not. Well, enjoy these social media highlights from this past week as you contnue to get excited for the biggest week of the golfing calendar:
The Austin Show
There’s no doubt about the enormous talent that Jon Rahm possesses but this drive that he hit on the 13th hole during the final match of the WGC-Dell Matchplay at Austin Country Club was just astounding. To produce something like this being 4 down to the No.1 player in the world and facing a must-win situation, shows the character this young Spaniard has. Take a look below:
But his compatriot, Sergio Garcia had a moment to forget on the same hole. It’s probably one of the worst shots you’ll ever see a professional golfer hit. In Sergio’s defence, it was raining and he completely lost his footing. Golf can be a cruel sport but despite the brutal conditions, he could have judged the situation slightly better. However, he decided to take a rip at it and here’s the not-so-good result:
Tiger looking good to play the Masters
According to Golf Channel analyst, Brandel Chamblee, Tiger Woods could tee it up at the Masters against all odds. Never one to shy away from making big statements and calls, Chamblee has given Tiger fans some positive information that will definitely see a spike in the buzz around the event.
"If you can believe anything that you read on social media, I know that his coach (Chris Como) has been down there and they have been hitting a lot of golf balls down in Palm Beach," Chamblee said during a pre-Masters teleconference Tuesday. "So the way I understand it, he's been practicing quite diligently. It wouldn't surprise me if Tiger showed up at Augusta National."
However, with all the different contradicting news out there, it is as good as any other speculation for the moment. Tiger himself has remained tight-lipped on the matter since being on the sidelines after his withdrawal in Dubai in February. Woods has previously confessed that the Masters week is one of the most important and special weeks for him in golf and he does his best to be ready for it every year.
He previously missed the event in 2016, recovering from back surgeries as well as in 2014. Despite his recent struggles and back spasms that forced him into withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in February, Chamblee is of the opinion that Augusta could be a good place to return for him. Tiger has 4 green jackets to his name.
"In some ways, it's a somewhat forgiving golf course off the tee, so it can kind of seduce you into thinking, yeah, maybe I can get it around there," Chamblee said. "Even when he was struggling with his short game, what was it, back in 2013, he showed up there and put together some pretty decent golf. So you know, in some ways, it can be a somewhat forgiving golf course; many others, quite cruel."
In any case, Tiger, and he knows this better than anybody else, will have to contend against a red-hot Dustin Johnson who is on three-tournament winning streak and Jordan Spieth, who has a win and two runner-up finishes in three starts at the Masters.
Time will tell.
The Rock’s 490 yard drive
The Rock claims to have hit a humongous 490 yard drive.
Fair play to the big man but not even the best players in the world could come close to reaching 490 on the par 5-12th which was playing downhill and down-wind at Austin Country Club last week. The likes of Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm were putting on a driving show but even they couldn’t come close. It’s certain that the Rock can crunch a drive but we will see when he makes an appearance at the World Long Drive Championships.
Mark Wahlberg’s winter training
Mark Wahlberg’s a huge golf fan and has previously played in PGA Tour pro-am’s but seems to be taking his dedication to the game to the next level.
His hole in one with Rory McIlroy’s golf ball was a well documented one and so was his shnk at the Waste Management Phoenix Ope pro-am earlier this year. So, like any golfer he has seen the highs and lows but he seems to be quite keen on getting better.
In this video, he says that he took a lesson with Tiger Woods’ former coach, Sean Foley and has devoted himself to hitting a 100 balls no matter the conditions. He says nothing can stop him, not rain, sleet or snow!
The Hollywood star looks like he is determined to improve and let’s see how long his resolve lasts.
Tom Brady’s day out at Augusta National with Jordan Spieth
It was an Under Armour day out at Augsta National earlier this week. CEO Kevin Plank played the annual venue of golf's first major along with two of his most influential athletes, Jordan Spieth and Tom Brady.
The trio, along with Augusta National member Jimmy Dunne, took a photo standing on Hogan's Bridge on the 12th hole, which Brady would later post to his Instagram account. "Trying to beat @jordanspieth in golf is like trying to arm wrestle @therock," Brady wrote in the caption. (Post later taken down)
Jordan Spieth was obviously getting his preparation in ahead of the start of the Masters where he ahs a win and two runner up finishes in 3 starts. It was also the sight of his meltdown last year when he gave away a five shot lead on the back nine on Sunday. It has been a subject of heavy scrutiny for him and he recently said, It’ll be good to have this Masters pass by to ease the demons.
