AUGUSTA, Ga. — A chunked pitching wedge from the middle of the fairway on the par-5 13th left amateur Ben Martin with a difficult decision. Play it from the water that guards the front of the green and take your chances, or take a drop and take your medicine.
Martin, a senior at Clemson who made the Masters field by finishing as the runner-up at the U.S. Amateur last year, took a little of both.
He removed his socks and shoes and his hat and put on a vest “for security.” He hit the ball that was roughly a third in the creek over the green on his way to a double-bogey 7.
“Some people started cheering when I took my shoes off,” Martin said, “I asked my caddie, ‘Have you ever hit one of these before?’
“He was like, ‘Nope. Just hit it and hope.'”
After missing the cut with an 11-over-par 155, Martin believes this Masters experience will help when he returns to the college game. The Tigers are ranked 15th in the latest GolfWeek rankings and have their eyes set on the NCAA championship tournament, whcih will be played at The Honors Course in Ooltewah in early June.
“Yeah, it’ll be a little different with about four or five people out there watching instead of 30,000 or 40,000, but that’s kind of what I’m used to,” Martin said about his return to college golf. “Maybe I can get back in my element and do a little something.”
Young, going strong
Mattei Manassero, the 16-year-old Italian who made history as the youngest Masters competitor, added his name to another list Friday. After a second-round 76, Manassero squeezed into the weekend with a 3-over 145 to become the youngest player ever to make the cut.
“I am very proud of this,” said Manassro, who will turn 17 later this month and already is the youngest to make a cut at the British Open after tying for 12th at Turnberry last year. “Today I made almost all the important putts.”
South Africa’s Bobby Cole was the youngest player to make the cut at Augusta. Cole was 32 days shy of his 19th birthday when he made the cut in 1967. The youngest player to play the weekend here was Tommy Jacobs, who was 17 years, two months when he played all four rounds in 1952. Jacobs’ mark has been wiped from the books, though, because in ’52 the entire field played the full 72 holes.
Now Manassro, the only amateur to make this year’s cut, has his sights set toward another goal — winning.
“I’m dreaming about being the Masters champion,” he said through his Italian accent. “In what age, I don’t mind, actually.”
Air Tiger
Tiger Woods’ ripple effects here can be felt in the air and on the airwaves.
The airplane that pulled two banners with sarcastic messages directed toward Woods was grounded by the Federal Aviation Association until it makes some minor repairs. The plane, which was flying for Air America Ads in Genoa, Ohio, had a problem with a seatbelt, Jason Howe, one of the ad company’s employees, told The Associated Press.
As for the action on the course, the Nielsen Co. said 4.94 million people watched ESPN’s opening-round coverage. It was 47 percent more than last year’s first round.
Also of note
Due to an elbow injury, Thongchai Jaidee withdrew after completing 10 holes of the second round. … There were 48 players who made the cut, which was set at 3-over 147. … Defending champ Angel Cabrera made the cut on the number and is in today’s first group, which will tee off at 10:45 a.m.