Masters already weaving its magic

Leave it to the barons who oversee a golf tournament that seemingly makes time stand still to orchestrate things so that an icon from 50 years ago would outdrive by a few yards today’s most heralded name.

Is that to suggest 82-year-old Arnold Palmer hit a better drive at the first hole of Augusta National Golf Club than 36-year-old Tiger Woods?

Well, we could quibble about the exactness of that statement, but it sure appeared as if the 2012 Masters got under way in such a fashion. Palmer was joined by fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to fire the opening tee shots, then the honorary starters made their way to the fun and festivities inside the clubhouse. More than two hours later, all eyes turned on Woods, who promptly snap-hooked his ball into a Georgia pine and saw his ball carom backward onto straw.