Coach Matt Thurmond has confessed to creating a innocent “mistake” after he was faraway from the Augusta Nationwide vary for carrying shorts on Monday.
Thurmond, who mentors Spain’s Josele Ballester, walked onto the apply space to talk with golfer Kevin Yu earlier than an official escorted him off the vary. There’s a strict no-shorts coverage for gamers and coaches on the long-lasting venue’s course and apply areas.
FOX SPORTS, out there on Kayo Sports activities, is the one place to look at the 2025 Masters LIVE | New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time supply >
“I went out on the vary with out considering, gave him a hug,” Thurmond later defined, as reported by GolfWeek.
“After about one shot and one fast hi there, they got here out and stated, ‘I’m sorry, sir, you’ll be able to’t be on the vary along with your shorts.’
“My dangerous, it was a mistake I made. I wish to comply with the principles right here once I’m at Augusta and do every little thing proper. Fortunate to be right here and admire every little thing right here. I simply made a mistake.”
Three years in the past, rookie golfer Talor Gooch was embroiled in an analogous incident through the 2022 Masters for practising his placing in shorts.
READ MORE
‘MY GOD’: Inside ‘loopy’ scene that rocked Masters
TEE TIMES REVEALED: Aussie stars drawn in blockbuster teams
SEVE STILL INSPIRES AS RAHM CHASES SECOND MASTERS TITLE
Former Masters champion Jon Rahm says the mystique of Augusta Nationwide has an additional dimension for Spanish golfers nonetheless impressed by Seve Ballesteros, the primary European to win the coveted inexperienced jacket.
In 2023, Rahm grew to become the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters, after Ballesteros in 1980 and ‘83, Jose Maria Olazabal in 1994 and ‘99, and Sergio Garcia in 2017.
“I believe it began with Seve,” Rahm stated Tuesday as he ready for a apply spherical forward of Thursday’s begin to the 89th version of the Masters.
“I believe he set that essence, and it could’t be a coincidence that the final two Spanish gamers to win it each gained it on what would have been Seve’s birthday.
“There’s positively one thing right here occurring with him and with all of us, and I believe it’s one thing we will all really feel.”
Rahm can be hoping a few of that Seve spirit might help him get off to a stable begin within the first main championship of 2025, after a disappointing exhibiting in final yr’s majors amid his transfer to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in December of 2023.
Rahm completed tied for forty fifth in his Masters defence final yr. He missed the lower on the PGA Championship and withdrew from the US Open with a foot damage earlier than ending with a share of seventh on the Open Championship.
“Not my favorite main season final yr, that’s true,” Rahm stated.
“Didn’t play nice right here, didn’t play nice on the PGA, and wasn’t even capable of tee it up on the US Open.
“I used to be very completely satisfied to complete up there at The Open on a really difficult week. No less than set the tone hopefully for this yr, and really feel like I’m enjoying significantly better golf coming into this week.”
Rahm gained the person championship in his debut LIV Golf season — bagging the US$18 million bonus prize.
He has but to win in 2025, however began the yr with a runner-up end in Riyadh and has since added 4 extra top-10 finishes and says he’s “feeling actually, actually good about this yr basically”.
Rahm was heading out on Tuesday afternoon for a apply spherical alongside Olazabal, Garcia and Spanish newbie Jose Luis ‘Josele’ Ballester – who’s making his Masters debut after following his 2023 European Beginner championship victory with a win within the US Beginner final yr.
“Full Spanish four-ball with Ollie, Sergio, Josele,” Rahm stated.
“Fairly particular to have the ability to share the stage with two previous champions, with Ollie, which I spent mainly two and a half hours asking Ollie to inform us tales as a result of he has a narrative for each tree that has been on property and photographs that he’s seen and issues like that – identical with Sergio.”
Whereas Ballester is getting his first style of Augusta Nationwide, one other Spaniard has really joined the ranks of Spanish champions on the fabled Georgia membership this yr as Carla Bernat Escuder gained the Augusta Nationwide Girls’s Beginner final week.
“Spanish gamers being identified for being fairly artistic with good brief video games, I believe that’s often a recipe that works very well at Augusta Nationwide,” Rahm stated.
“There’s no shock that there’s now 5 champions right here.”
Woods 05 rival lifts lid on THAT chip | 02:42
NO.4 MORIKAWA PONDERS CAREER SLAM WITH MASTERS IN HIS SIGHTS
With triumphs at two majors and robust showings on the two others, Collin Morikawa admits the ideas have snuck into his thoughts a few profession Grand Slam.
World quantity 4 Morikawa captured the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 British Open. The 28-year-old American would love to maneuver one step nearer to the feat by successful this week’s Masters at Augusta Nationwide.
He has two top-five finishes at each the Masters and US Open over the previous 4 years, sharing third final yr for his greatest Masters exhibiting.
That’s sufficient to ponder becoming a member of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gene Sarazen, Gary Participant and Ben Hogan within the profession Slam membership.
“I’ve been within the lead on the Masters final yr. A number of years in the past even at Brookline (2022 US Open) I used to be main by way of 36. Yeah, it creeps in,” Morikawa stated.
“If it doesn’t creep in, then you definitely actually don’t care. For me, you care so that you wish to put your self in these positions. It doesn’t at all times work out but it surely’s positively one thing you wish to attempt to accomplish.
“I do know absolutely how onerous it’s, but it surely’s not like one in every of them I haven’t performed nicely. I’ve been shut. It’s simply maintain knocking on the door.”
He intends to pound a bit tougher on the Masters this week, the place his shotmaking has him snug and assured.
“I believe it’s simply getting snug,” Morikawa stated.
“The extra reps you get in, the extra you perceive this golf course, the way you play it and the way you match it into your sport.
“I’ve discovered a method up to now few years the best way to sort of dissect this golf course and actually use my strengths, particularly with irons and the undulating greens, to take that to my benefit and hopefully give myself plenty of appears to be like.”
Morikawa, a runner-up final month at Bay Hill and within the season-opening match of champions, leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to inexperienced, simply forward of world quantity two Rory McIlroy and top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler.
Morikawa was one stroke off the Masters lead after 54 holes final yr earlier than a final-round 74 doomed that dream.
Restoration from a significant defeat, Morikawa stated, is a unending course of.
“I don’t suppose it ever stops, the restoration stuff. I believe you look again and suppose, what may I’ve finished completely different?” Morikawa stated.
“As a result of it simply at all times brings up the reminiscences of some good, some dangerous. Final yr I believe I used to be in a spot the place I didn’t really feel like I used to be in command of my sport.
“I look again finally yr and plenty of it was how do I simply make do with what I’ve. You’ll be able to win tournaments like that, however for those who’re actually attempting to win the Masters, you wish to be a little bit bit extra in management.”
Augusta Nationwide climate replace | 01:51
HOJGAARD BROTHERS TO BECOME FIRST TWINS IN SAME MASTERS
Danish brothers Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard will change into the primary pair of twins to compete in the identical Masters, fulfilling a childhood dream Thursday at Augusta Nationwide.
The similar 24-year-olds from Denmark will change into the nineteenth set of brothers to tee off in the identical Masters, the primary since Italy’s Eduardo and Francesco Molinari from 2010-2012.
“We’ve had many moments on the placing inexperienced at our native golf membership the place we might inform one another that is the putt to win the Masters after which attempting to compete with one another,” Rasmus stated.
“It’s good to be right here now.”
Nicolai, the marginally older of the 2, led after 10 holes in final yr’s third spherical at his Masters debut and completed degree sixteenth, his greatest end in 9 prior main appearances, whereas Rasmus is making his Masters debut and seventh main begin.
“Very particular to be again,” Nicolai stated.
“I’ve some nice reminiscences right here from final yr. I want I might have completed it off a little bit bit higher, however I’ve discovered lots from that week.
“The final 27 holes was most likely crucial studying expertise I’ve had in golf, and to go ahead, as nicely, in majors. However it was among the finest weeks I’ve ever had.
“For my preparation, I’m extra conscious of stuff, particularly on the again 9. It’s enjoying difficult. However for those who hit the appropriate photographs, you’re going to have possibilities. Par is an efficient rating at instances and I believe you overlook that if you’re enjoying. If you’re up there, you wish to maintain pushing.”
The worldwide Masters sibling legacy being carried on by Fifty fifth-ranked Rasmus and 82nd-ranked Nicolai additionally consists of, amongst others, Japan’s Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki and his brother Naomichi “Joe” Ozaki from 1990, 1993 and 2000 and Taiwan’s Chen Tze-chung and Chen Tze-ming in 1986.
Rasmus certified for the Masters by ending in final yr’s world rankings high 50 whereas Nicolai obtained a particular invitation from Augusta Nationwide.
Rasmus is a five-time winner on the DP World Tour, most lately capturing final September’s Irish Open. Nicolai has lifted three DP World Tour trophies, most lately on the 2023 DP World Championship.
In 2021, they grew to become the primary brothers to win European Tour occasions in back-to-back weeks, Rasmus capturing the European Masters and Nicolai taking the Italian Open the next week.
As kids, they tricked lecturers by switching locations in lessons, however the sibling rivalry hasn’t at all times been a straightforward one.
“Rising up it was very troublesome as a result of we had been very aggressive,” Rasmus stated.
“I don’t suppose we supported one another very a lot again then. We might battle much more than saying congratulations.
“Over time we’ve matured fairly a bit. I believe we will each say that we most likely wouldn’t be right here if we didn’t have one another.”
Nicolai agreed, saying, “We will shake one another’s hand now and say congrats when somebody is enjoying nicely and be brothers as nicely and associates on the identical time. It has been fairly cool, the trip we’ve been on collectively.”
Scott reveals new Masters prep for 2025 | 03:05
ABERG EMBRACES FRESH MASTERS TEST AFTER RUNNER-UP DEBUT
Ludvig Aberg stamped himself a rising star with a runner-up end on the Masters final yr, however the Swede stated the great reminiscences from his main championship debut will rely for little when the match begins on Thursday.
“I believe having these experiences in your again pocket is very nice, however come Thursday morning it’s not going to alter something,” Aberg stated.
“You continue to should exit and hit the golf photographs and hit the putts and do pretty much as good as you’ll be able to.”
The 25-year-old from Eslov earned the largest win of his profession in February, capturing the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.
However he has missed the lower in two begins since, calling that “most likely the bottom of lows that I’ve had in my profession up to now”.
“I respect and I perceive that the sport goes to take you there generally, and it’s going to be up and down, and it’s going to be difficult,” he stated, however added that an even-keeled temperament and a dedication to routine helped him even out the highs and lows.
“Irrespective of if I win or match or lose a match or miss the lower in a match, I nonetheless do the identical issues,” he stated.
“I nonetheless get up and attempt to do the identical issues by way of apply, by way of coaching, and that’s not going to alter.
“I really feel like that’s how I’ve approached these final couple of weeks, though issues have been going a little bit bit up and down. I perceive it’s a part of the sport and it’s going to be like that when you’ve got an extended and profitable profession.”
Familiarity has made his return to Augusta simpler – simply realizing the place to park and the most effective place to choose up morning espresso. And he enjoys the challenges of the “actually onerous” course.
“I prefer it,” he stated.
“It calls for plenty of creativity. It calls for plenty of shot shaping, and the greens are clearly the way in which they’re. It’s only a actually cool place to come back play golf at.”
Aberg can also be completely satisfied to embrace the second on a significant stage and never attempt to downplay the significance of the occasion.
“I do strategy it as one of many greatest occasions of the yr,” he stated.
“I do suppose it’s necessary to do this as a result of I believe for those who don’t you’re virtually going to hit a wall by way of if you really expertise it.
“I had the identical kind of strategy final yr the place I simply tried to embrace it. I attempted to actually kind of hug it, if you’ll. I’m not attempting to be delusional.”
McIlroy’s 2011 Masters meltdown | 01:36