Australia’s Jason Day gave a prolonged and passionate response when requested if he had any empathy for Tiger Woods following the 15-time main champion’s automotive crash and arrest for a DUI.
In the meantime, countryman Cameron Smith has teased that the course situations are precisely how he likes them as Patrick Reed spoke on the advantages of his choice to go away LIV Golf. READ MORE IN MASTERS DAILY!
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‘LITTLE BIT SELFISH’: DAY’S HEARTFELT ANSWER TO TIGER QUESTION
The emotion was evident in Jason Day’s voice as he spoke about Tiger Woods.
The pair have been shut pals for a very long time with Woods typically appearing as a mentor-like determine to the Queenslander who rose to the heights of world No.1.
However with the five-time inexperienced jacket winner lacking a second straight Masters – this time as a result of his current automotive crash – Day is actually feeling the ache of his absence.
The pair share many widespread experiences, together with repeat again points throughout their careers.
So, Day understands the toll the surgical procedures take each bodily and mentally on the physique.
However the 38-year-old disagrees with Woods’ motion and solely desires him to get higher as he battle habit.
“With regard to Tiger, it simply exhibits the human aspect and the human aspect of somebody that’s combating some kind of an habit,” Day mentioned.
“He’s not resistant to it simply because he can hit a golf ball rather well. He’s had 25 to 30 one thing surgical procedures, and if you’re going via that many procedures, it’s painful popping out of these procedures. I’ve had procedures achieved and I sometimes try to avoid all that stuff as a result of I simply know that, painkillers, there can doubtlessly be a downfall to it.”
Day continued: “Granted, once I have a look at that, I have a look at it and go, he’s only a human being like everybody else and we have now struggles. It’s unlucky, the one factor that I don’t perceive is that it’s a bit bit egocentric of him to drive and put different individuals in hurt’s method, as nicely.
“However if you’re the participant that he was and the way strong-willed he’s, he thinks he can do nearly something, and that’s most likely why he’s most likely driving and a bit bit below the affect.
“He was my hero…he’s my hero. He was my hero rising up. The rationale why I play golf is due to this event and Tiger.
“It’s onerous to see him undergo what he’s going via, and particularly below the microscope that…it have to be onerous to be who he’s and have every thing, everybody look on, form of down on him.
“Some individuals need him to fail. Some individuals clearly need him to succeed. It’s actually tough for me to undergo that and watch him, and I do know that he’s getting the assistance now, which is sweet. I’m simply hoping he comes out on the opposite aspect and is healthier.”
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COURSE SET UP JUST HOW AUSSIE LIKES IT
High-ranked Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Rory McIlroy examined their shotmaking at opening apply for the ninetieth Masters on Monday because the world’s high golfers ready for the yr’s first main.
Formidable situations are anticipated for Thursday’s first spherical at Augusta Nationwide, the place there’s no rain within the forecast and undulating greens are prone to run agency and quick all week.
“The course is in nice form, and it’s already fairly agency,” mentioned Australian Cam Smith, the 2022 British Open champion. “It looks like there’s just a bit bit extra grass. It’s a bit bit fuller… It is going to be agency and quick, I’d assume.” Below cloudy skies with a lightweight breeze, spectators watched the celebrities below the Georgia pines.
“You will note lengthy hitters doing nicely right here,” two-time winner Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain predicted.
McIlroy, who grew to become the sixth man to finish a profession Grand Slam by profitable his first inexperienced jacket, started apply rounds over the weekend.
“The primary few days it’s all about having fun with the perks,” mentioned McIlroy. “However as soon as Tuesday night time is over, the intense enterprise begins. There’s a psychological change the place I’m targeted on the play and hopefully profitable one other Masters.”
The 36-year-old world quantity two from Northern Eire is making an attempt to hitch Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the one back-to-back Masters winners.
High-ranked Scottie Scheffler has not competed since sharing twenty second on the Gamers Championship three weeks in the past.
Scheffler and his spouse, Meredith, welcomed their second baby, son Remy, on March 27 and the whole household is in Augusta this week.
“It has been enjoyable,” Scheffler mentioned.
Scheffler gained his first occasion of the yr at January’s American Specific earlier than finishing a run of 18 PGA top-10 finishes.
The 29-year-old American, a two-time Masters champion, gained final yr’s British Open and PGA Championship and might full a profession Grand Slam at June’s US Open.
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– Bubba pulls for Tiger –
The sector of 91, together with 46 from exterior the USA, won’t characteristic five-time Masters winner Woods or three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson. Each are absent for the primary time since 1994, Mickelson as a result of household well being points and Woods on a break for therapy after being arrested on a DUI cost final month.
“I’m pulling for him as a human being, overlook his golf,” two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson mentioned of Woods. “Anyone that’s combating something, I really feel for him as a result of I’ve went via plenty of psychological stuff.
“Nothing however love for him and hopefully he can come again stronger.”
Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 US Open winner, gained LIV Golf titles final month at Singapore and South Africa. He was sixth on the Masters in 2024 and fifth final yr.
“There’s at all times ardour out right here. I’ve been making an attempt to win this occasion for lots of years,” mentioned DeChambeau, making his tenth Masters begin. “I’ve discovered plenty of classes and hopefully my sport is within the place the place I can lastly win it this yr.
“My swing is in a terrific place. Placing is in a terrific place. Chipping is in a terrific place. I simply need that iron play to be stellar this week.” Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters and 2021 US Open champion, gained the 2024 and 2025 LIV Golf season crowns. The 31-year-old Spaniard captured his third LIV title final month in Hong Kong and has runner-up efforts this yr at South Africa, Adelaide and Riyadh.
“I’ve to get that ‘again to Augusta’ feeling. It’s essential,” Rahm mentioned. “I’m actually proud of all areas of my sport… I could be completely happy with out being glad.”
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LEAVING LIV A BLESSING FOR FORMER CHAMP
Deciding to go away LIV Golf helped Patrick Reed launch his most profitable golf in years, boosting his confidence forward of this week’s ninetieth Masters.
The 35-year-old American, who gained a inexperienced jacket at Augusta in 2018, jumped from the US PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2022 then determined to not re-sign with the Saudi-backed collection this previous January whereas enjoying in Dubai.
Reed, whose lone LIV win got here final June in Dallas, gained the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Traditional, misplaced the following week’s occasion in Bahrain in a playoff then gained once more the next week in Qatar.
“It helps enjoying that kind of golf if you’re making a call like that,” Reed mentioned on Monday. “I needed to get again and never solely have a possibility again on the PGA Tour however get again to the normal method of golf and enjoying.”
Spending extra time together with his household was additionally a part of the consideration. “We had a contract, had a deal, however on the finish of the day, I felt like the very best factor for us was to return to the PGA Tour once more,” Reed mentioned.
“I needed that adrenaline again, and people emotions… I felt like this was the very best place for me.” Reed, enjoying on the DP World Tour as an honorary lifetime member, hopes to return to the PGA Tour as soon as eligible in August.
Reed may play PGA occasions in late 2026 on sponsor exemptions and as a qualifier and would search previous champion standing for 2027.
“I really like enjoying worldwide, however to have the ability to come again and see the blokes and simply actually experiencing and form of rising my sport… I really feel prefer it sharpens your sport,” he mentioned.
“The very best gamers on this planet and the deepest fields from high to backside are on the PGA Tour.” Reed’s success has jumped him atop the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings and to twenty third on this week’s world golf rankings.
“The golf sport feels stable. I really feel like each software in my golf bag proper now could be sharp and able to go,” Reed mentioned.
Reed has completed within the Masters high 10 in 4 of the previous six years, together with third final yr.
“Hopefully we are able to make some extra reminiscences,” Reed mentioned. “The one jacket is getting a bit lonely. May want another.” Reed, who has performed in 27 nations since 2022, will journey throughout the Atlantic Ocean to compete then return residence.
“These travels abroad, it’s going to be quite a bit this yr,” Reed mentioned.