Ortiz Holds Off Johnson, Matsuyama for 1St PGA Tour Victory
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OUR 1652 ND ISSUE Vol. 32, No. 40 R O C H E S T E R Monday, November 9, 2020 Masters Roundtable: Previewing An Unprecedented Masters Ortiz Holds Off The Masters is finally here. It’s get the feeling this time a few Johnson, Matsuyama for been a long 19 months since mistakes will do enough dam- Tiger Woods completed one of age to pull him out of the mix. 1st PGA Tour Victory the game’s most historic wins. Without the roars and energy to As always, there are plenty of help him float around the pines Carlos Ortiz never doubted he storylines surrounding this year’s Woods will finish somewhere in could win any tournament no Masters. Let’s discuss some of the ballpark of 25th. matter who he was facing, even the top ones before the final Cameron Morfit: As we if he didn’t have the trophies or major of a trying year. know from Jack Nicklaus, Fred the pedigree to prove it. 1. As it’s been for many, Couples, Bernhard Langer and Now he does. 2020 has been one to for- others, people who learn how Ortiz holed two long birdie get for Tiger Woods. He is to play Augusta National don’t putts from off the green to take coming off a T72 in his title just suddenly unlearn it. Woods the lead, then was rock solid defense at the ZOZO CHAM- hasn’t looked right in 2020, down the stretch and delivered PIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD his speed is down, and I STILL the winning shots for a 5-under and a missed cut at the U.S. think he’ll be in the mix for at 65 and a two-shot victory in the Open at Winged Foot. What least a couple rounds. Even he Houston Open. do we expect from our de- doesn’t really know what he has Ortiz played the final round fending champion? when he shows up to tourna- alongside a former No. 1 player Carlos Ortiz of Mexico celebrates after making a birdie putt on the 18th Ben Everill: Rocks and di- ments these days, but so what? in Jason Day. He spent the back green to win the Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course on Novem- amonds. After seeing what he I’d argue that was the case at the nine locked in a battle with the ber 08 in Houston, Texas. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) was able to do in 2019, I won’t TOUR Championship, Masters current No. 1, Dustin Johnson. be dismissing the notion of an- and ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, He pulled ahead for good with feet and he finished in style with the other guys. I wasn’t worried,” other win anytime soon, but I Roundtable — PAGE 15 a 6-iron so good the 29-year-old a 20-foot birdie for a two-shot Ortiz said. “I knew if I played Mexican started walking after it victory over Johnson and Hideki good I was going to be hard to on the par-5 16th. Ortiz had to Matsuyama. beat. ... I knew I was capable of Empty Restaurants, Quiet Streets — settle for a two-putt birdie from 8 “I wasn’t really thinking about Ortiz — PAGE 3 The Masters by The ‘Missing’ Numbers BY CHRISTOPHER POWERS ment brings an immense amount Nine Things to Know: When the Masters was resched- of dollars to the town each year, uled from April to November, the and after already going through hope was that by fall fans — ahem this in April, the city has to go Augusta National Golf Club — patrons would be back in the through it again this week. “It picture. Instead, the COVID-19 feels like it’s happening twice,” BY CAMERON MORFIT pandemic has persisted, and it said Dan Elliot, who is the GM and There’s magic in those Geor- forced the folks at Augusta Na- head pro at nearby Forest Hills gia pines. tional to hold the tournament with- Golf Course. With astonishing regularity, out patrons, in what should be a It’s been written about already, the home of the Masters Tourna- startling scene on the normally but it’s worth repeating how much ment provides moments so poi- buzzing grounds. of a financial sting this is for the gnant as to strain credulity. Think It’s been written about already, city of Augusta, Ga. The tourna- Jack Nicklaus winning at 46 in but it’s worth repeating how much ment brings an immense amount 1986; Ben Crenshaw, then 43, of a financial sting this is for the of dollars to the town each year, capturing the ’95 Masters after city of Augusta, Ga. The tourna- ‘Missing’ Numbers — PAGE 3 burying his lifelong coach Harvey Penick; and Tiger Woods’ victory at age 43 last year. Organizers Make Cut Rule Change Things to Know — PAGE 5 A scenic shot of the clubhouse during the 2015 Masters. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) At the 2020 Masters Tournament The 84th Masters Tournament The 149th Open Championship Remembering the Final Round of the 2019 Masters will be played in autumn for the was postponed until 2021. BY BEN EVERILL first time in history after the Tiger Woods is the defending It’s hard to forget who won the coronavirus pandemic halted the champion at Augusta National 2019 Masters. Tiger Woods pro- 2020 European Tour schedule after his emotional one stroke duced a storyline for the ages by for more than four months. victory helped him claim the 15th claiming a fifth Masters title and The usual April slot — which Major title of his career — his first 15th major championship. The makes the Masters the first Major since winning the 2008 U.S. triumph was incredible for many Championship of the year — was Open. reasons, including the fact that it affected as the global health cri- Since 2013, the cut mark has came after a major drought that sis heightened and the organiz- been the top 50 and ties, or those lasted more than a decade. The ers were forced to postpone the within ten shots of the leader. In win was not far removed from event until November. 2019, 65 players made the cut. a fourth back surgery, either. All four Majors were affected However, the rule of being There was a time that Woods in some capacity with the US within ten strokes of the leader thought he may never play golf PGA Championship moving to has been removed ahead of this again, let alone win a major. August, the U.S. Open Cham- year’s event in a bid to reduce It was the ultimate fairytale. pionship at Winged Foot was the weekend field. x The iconic image of his two arms rescheduled to September and © europeantour.com 2019 Masters — PAGE 6 Woods reacts as he wins the 2019 Masters. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) See Local Holes-In-One at golfweekrochester.com Page 2 • Rochester GOLF WEEK • Monday, November 9, 2020 Mulligans News, Notes, Quotes & Anecdotes from the Local Golfing Community John Mittiga Adds Finger Lakes High School Title to List of Impressive Accomplishments in 2020 CeramesPrior to• 2x4.5 last •week, 052317 2020 • SH had Professionals. Fax/Email:At Geneva [email protected] on Tuesday, Mittiga niemi and Geneva’s alreadyExpositor-Ledger proven to be anNewspapers impres- Fast-forward to Tuesday, Oc- posted four birdies — vs. four Kevin Bucklin tied sive year for 17-year-old John tober 27, when Mittiga — along bogeys — on his way to an even- for fourth at 82. 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