Golf’s baby boomers burning up Augusta
Golf may be their livelihood, but this year’s trip to Augusta National has not offered so much major championship pressure that they can escape the truisms that envelope them. That is, they are trying to balance golf with the truly important things in their lives.
The trick for Fisher is to stay focused while his wife, Joanne, is in England, about to deliver their second child.
If that sounds familiar, it should. At the 2009 Open Championship, Fisher roared out in 69-68-70 to get into contention amid a flurry of questions about his wife. She was in England, due any day, yet she joked that should she go into labour, she wouldn’t spoil her husband’s golf.
Of course, Fisher didn’t handle the situation well. “I kind of choked,” said the Englishman, who shot 75 and plunged into a share of 13th.
That collapse was on his mind coming home in the first round of the Masters, because after going out in 33 then pushing to four under with a rare birdie at the par 4 11th, Fisher ran off five consecutive pars, then held on at 17 (ugly bogey) and 18 (scratchy par) to get home in three under.
It’s four off of Rory McIlroy’s lead, but Fisher, 30, doesn’t picture it that way. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and tying his lowest score ever at Augusta is a good start. “Any time you can go around this course in under 70 it’s a good thing,” Fisher said.
While he conceded that his family situation is at the forefront of his thoughts, Fisher insisted there was a peace of mind. This will not be a repeat of Turnberry, he insisted.
“Two years ago was a long time ago,” Fisher said. “It’s different because it’s our second. The first one was due the week of the Open, whereas the second one is due after (the Masters). So, hopefully... (it won’t be) like last time when she hung on and I didn’t.
“Hopefully I can hang on this time.”
Three days is a long way to go, with pulsating heat forecast and firm, fast greens expected. It’s against that backdrop that O’Hair has brought his unique perspective — married with four children at the tender age of 28.
“This year is a lot more low-key than in the past,” O’Hair said.
One could say that O’Hair has sort of seen his family grow up with this Masters experience. When he made his debut in 2006, it was just him, Jackie, and daughter Molly. Son Luke joined the party in 2008, then in 2010 a third child, Grady, made his Masters debut.
With Jackie having delivered Trevor in January, there are now four children in tow on O’Hair’s fifth Masters appearance, but before you entertain thoughts of a confusing situation, let the record show that his 2 under 70 represents just the second time he’s broken par in the opening round.
Wednesday’s hugely popular Par 3 Contest has turned into a photo-op of epic proportions, with players having embraced the concept of putting kids into the famed white jumpsuits worn by caddies.
O’Hair couldn’t wait to take advantage and he brought along Molly, 6, and Luke, 3. There were serious mixed results, because while Molly got into the spirit of the thing, Luke didn’t seem anxious to leave the bunkers.
“He got a little tired of it,” O’Hair said. “Luke’s attention span is not quite there yet, we’ve got to work on that.”
O’Hair said the festive Par 3 atmosphere was a brilliant way to ease the tension headed into the season’s first major. Augusta is a demanding course. In his four previous trips to the Masters, O’Hair had shown hints of form so that there’s some validation to those who see him as one of America’s very best players — two finishes inside the top 15 and six sub-par rounds in 14 trips.
Off to another red-number start this year, O’Hair had reason again to smile: Five birdies, four happy kids.
“I love the place,” O’Hair said. “Just love the whole feel. I think it’s a very special atmosphere out here.”
Even for those with family concerns on the mind.
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