There’s no such thing as a quiet Monday at the Masters. Patrons lined the fairways to see Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia among others take to golfing haven that is Augusta National Golf Club.
Each day this week, europeantour.com will recap the best of the day’s action, from online to down on the ground.
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Defending Champion Sergio Garcia is relishing being back in town. The Spaniard made yesterday a family affair, with wife Angela and baby Azalea among those here with last year’s winner.
What a great first day back @TheMasters! Our baby girl got to see #ANGC and the 13th hole. My dad and I played together and we had a nice Easter family lunch. Can’t beat that! @TheAngelaAkins #AzaleaGarcia #familytime pic.twitter.com/B53fIrMXx4
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) April 2, 2018
José María Olazábal showed a little bit of Spanish magic on the 16th. The two-time Masters Champion took part in the traditional ball-skipping challenge across the pond and pulled off arguably one of the best shots he’s ever played at Augusta National.
Watch José María Olazábal almost hole out skipping across the pond on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/mupNxED05t
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 2, 2018
You’ve heard of synchronised swimming…but how about synchronised skipping? Take it away, guys…
Group effort at No. 16: watch @DJohnsonPGA, @GaryWoodland and @TyrrellHatton simultaneously skip balls across the pond. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2Z6BsLnUVR
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 2, 2018
Ian Poulter took to Twitter to celebrate being the last man into this year’s Masters field.
“Not qualifying for the Masters the week before…. #NotCool”.
Winning the Houston Open to get the last possible place… Now that’s #ThatsCool” pic.twitter.com/3dvW3Bded9— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 2, 2018
Li Haotong is making his Masters debut this week and found a quiet moment among the pine needles to show off his players’ pin.
💚 @TheMasters pic.twitter.com/Uher4nd5bA
— Haotong Li (@haotong_li) April 2, 2018
Top storylines
Everybody was still talking about one of the most dramatic last minute arrivals in recent memory. Ian Poulter’s play-off victory at the Houston Open ensured he took the 87th and final spot for this week. The Englishman will arrive at Augusta National tomorrow.
Jason Day revealed he has switched caddies for the week as he looks to win his second Major Championship. The 2015 US PGA Champion has friend Rika Batibasaga on bag duties and will hope that inspires him to better his tie for second here in 2011.
Everybody knows that, at 46 years old, Jack Nicklaus is the oldest winner of the Masters. However, two-time Green Jacket winner Bernhard Langer thinks that particular record of the Golden Bear’s will be broken. The German said, “The guys are much fitter nowadays than golfers have ever been, I think. You have guys like Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and a few others in the future that are still long enough to temper this golf course or to have a chance if their short game is good.”
On the course
