Danny Willett Tweets Out His Champions Dinner

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If memory serves the Champions Dinner Menu doesn't usually get released until the day after, but defending Masters Champion Danny Willett took to Twitter to share his to help his fellow Green Coats mentally prepare for mini cottage pies and, of course, Yorkshire pudding. At the same time a video at Masters.com goes into his menu choices.

 

 

ShackHouse 31: 2017 Masters Preview

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The tradition unlike any other is here and Joe House and I talk all things Augusta National.

Among the topics covered: pushing back at Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship cynics, the new press center, the food, your Twitter questions and lots of make gambling picks and predictions.

As always, you can subscribe on iTunes and or just refresh your device subscription page.

Here is The Ringer's show page.

Same deal with Soundcloud for the show, and Episode 31 is here to listen to right now!

As always, ShackHouse is brought to you by Callaway, who debuted the latest episode of Callaway Live with Luke Wilson last week.

We're also sponsored by Callaway’s new Steelhead irons, so visit CallawayGolf.com to try the Iron Selector tool.

Best of all, they're offering ShackHouse listeners an Epic driver for the best iTunes review for the ShackHouse pod between now and when the 2017 Masters winner slips on his green jacket - and use the word “EPIC” somewhere in the review - and you’re entered to win a Driver.

Masters.com Posts Full Telecasts Of Palmer's Four Wins, Tiger's 1997 Masters Final Round

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And just to completely ruin your productivity, Masters.com has embedded all sorts of amazing content available on their site that will also be available on their Apple TV app.

While the 1997 Masters was very special and the online coverage here excellent, including an interview with Tiger hosted by Jimmy Roberts, that tournament is still in our recent memory. So as much as I'd love to advocate watching the final round broadcast posted there...

The King's four wins, with full original telecasts and Jim McKay leading two of them, will give you goosebumps.

The best way to stumble on this is as I did: check out today's leaderboard featuring a classic image and click on Palmer's score in red.

Because for those who weren't alive during Arnold Palmer's seven-year run here at Augusta National, the combination of imagery and words posted at Masters.com will give you a greater appreciation for the partnership.

Here is John Steinbreder's piece on Palmer and Augusta if you want some good reading.

Here is the 1958 final round with Jim McKay opening the proceedings as only he can.

Here is the 1960 final round and do make sure you get to the 31:15 minute mark for the Green Jacket Ceremony to get a BIG Clifford Roberts-inspired chuckle.

Here is the 1962 final round telecast.

And here is the 1964 final round telecast.

Best Of Masters Merchandise, 2017 Edition

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I managed to make it into the Masters merchandise center off the first fairway and as usual the folks have put together some fun, fresh items.

There's a bit of something for everyone and while I know most buy shirts and hats, most of the pieces included in this Golfweek.com slideshow are of the gift/keepsake/one-of-a-kind.

 Just click on the first image and the slideshow will kick in. Enjoy!

DCP Wrap: Golf's Best "Grow The Game" Effort?

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Not surprising a "grow the game" initiative centered around fun, family, simplicity and a possible trip to Augusta National, is a success.

Still, as I point out in this short Golfweek assessment from Augusta after year four of the Drive, Chip and Putt, it's an event that could have fizzled. Yet it has succeeded both in exposing talented kids to fun competition, but  also is "growing the game" in ways we might not have imagined. The characterization by officials of the numbers suggest the event is not slowing down.

Rex Hoggard tells some of the kids' stories for GolfChannel.com and what's motivating them to get to the DCP.

Ryan Herrington at GolfDigest.com on Fred Couples livening up one of the trophy ceremonies. Not Gary Player livening up, but still better than just a boring speech.

Jordan Spieth, favorite of most of the participants, checked out the proceedings.

The official website's gallery of images.

Rich Lerner and Peter Jacobsen recap the day with highlights of the best moments.

The winner's interviews:

Girls

7-9 Division (Maye Huang – Katy, Texas)

10-11 Division (Lucy Yuan – San Diego, Calif.)

12-13 Division (Alexa Pano – Lake Worth, Fla.)

14-15 Division (Savannah Grewal – Mississauga, Ontario)

Boys

7-9 Division (Carter Gaede – Manhattan Beach, Calif.)

10-11 Division (Liam Hartling – Redlands, Calif.)

12-13 Division (Zachary Colon – Bolton, Mass.)

14-15 Division (Mason Quagliata – Scottsdale, Ariz.)

And it's not too early to sign up for next year!

2017 Drive, Chip & Putt Preview: These Kids Are Good

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The kids are back!

Given the bleak forecast in Houston, it may just be the wondrous little ones and the first major of the year from Mission Hills for your Sunday viewing pleasure.

But beyond the mere necessity of needing some golf viewing, the Drive, Chip & Putt has been entertaining, humbling and inspirational. To see these young people thrown out into such a potentially intimidating situation and perform has been a privilege for me to cover. The skill and fortitude of these young golfers is something to behold. As is Gary Player's annual lecture on whatever he sees plaguing the youth!

Golf Channel will do its best to cover these amazing DCP participants starting earlier at 8 am ET following a shortened Morning Drive, meaning we'll see even more shots than the first three years.

Ryan Herrington filed this article with graphic explaining how it all works for the kids from the drive up Magnolia Lane to the actual competition.

All of the finalists are listed here at the official website.

Easily the best story is that of Alex Panos, making her third appearance in the "DCP". Here is her story, narrated by Rich Lerner:

Chairman Billy Payne Joins Twitter, Starts By Tweeting His '17 Masters Tie Scripting

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After years of his tournament carefully embracing social media, Masters Chairman Billy Payne has finally joined Twitter at @chairmanbilly.

As with many new Twitter users, Payne first posted the dreaded "testing" Tweet that has since been deleted.

He then jumped into Twitter head first, picking up on the trend of companies telegraphing what their players will wear Masters week, only offering up his tie scripting for the 2017 Masters week.

The image of Chairman Payne's ties puts an end to any rumored patron-wagering on Chairman tie choices. The practice was thought to be inspired by bettors at Royal Ascot speculating on the Queen's dresses. His Tweet shows one Augusta National tie and two from the R&A's Open collection.

In the Chairman's first interaction with a follower, he clarified that the rest of his ensemble never changes:

Spieth After Pre-Masters Missed Cut: Other Players Know "We Strike Fear" Next Week

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Will Gray reporting from the Shell Houston Open where Jordan Spieth's missed cut wouldn't have turned many heads except for a fascinating post-round quote.

The 2015 Masters champion said:

“I think we know, and the other players that are playing next week know, that we strike fear in others next week,” Spieth said. “So that’s our idea, that’s going to be my confidence level going in, and we’ll step on the first tee ready to play.”

Time To Update Your Masters Apps!

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They've listed tablet picture-in-picture capabilities (two channels at one time viewing?), Apple Watch notifications and Shot Tracker enhancements listed as new to 2017, but most interesting of all will be Apple TV options that allow the legendary feeds to be seen on a big screen.

Of course those great feeds remain Amen Corner Live, Holes 15 and 16, Featured Groups and Masters On The Range.

Looking at the App's schedule, Monday includes an hour of coverage at hole 16 from 2-3 pm ET.

Here is the iTunes link for IOS users.

Here are the Masters Live times that encompass both the app and website options for viewing.

The 2017 Masters Live line-up of channels include:
 
●       Featured Groups: This year, for the first time, Bill Macatee will tee off coverage of the 2017 Masters along with Davis Love III on Thursday morning with Featured Groups.  

In addition, Andrew Catalon, Brian Crowell, Mark Immelman, Billy Kratzert and Love III will also serve as announcers for the Featured Groupslive streaming coverage of select pairings throughout their entire round each day.  

●       Amen Corner: Live streaming video of the 11th, 12th and 13th holes from Augusta National. Grant Boone and Billy Ray Brown will serve as announcers for Amen Corner.

●       15 & 16: Live streaming video of the 15th and 16th holes from Augusta National. Bobby Clampett, Luke Elvy and Ned Michaels will provide commentary and analysis for 15 & 16.

●       Masters On The Range: The live show originating from the Tournament Practice Area at Augusta National will be presented Monday through Sunday on CBSSports.com and CBS Sports Network. Masters On The Range will feature interviews with players and analysis of the field leading up to the start of the 2017 Masters and throughout the Tournament. Catalon, Clampett, Immelman and Kratzert will provide commentary.
 
In addition to the four channels of live golf action, Masters Live will present the following video highlights:

●       In-Progress and End-of-Day Highlights: Video highlights of play during the 2017 Masters Tournament, including in-progress highlights and a round recap at the end of each day.

●       Highlights from the Par 3 Contest: First played in 1960, the Par 3 Contest has become a beloved Wednesday tradition at the Masters. The 2017 Masters Par 3 Contest will be held on Wednesday, April 5.
 
●       Historical Highlights: On-demand video of memorable highlights and classic moments from past Masters Tournaments.

●       Augusta National Aerials: On-demand video fly-overs of Augusta National allowing fans to enjoy the beauty of one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

●       Press Room: On-demand highlights of player interviews conducted in the Interview Room from Augusta National.

Masters Live and additional features available on Masters.com will be available for free at CBSSports.com.
 
The Masters, the most renowned tournament in golf, will be broadcast on CBS Sports for the 62nd consecutive year, a record for the longest-running sporting event broadcast on one network. This year marks the 81st Masters Tournament, one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year.
 
Schedule for Masters Live Video Feeds on CBSSports.com and Masters.com in 2017
* Start and end times are estimates and subject to change. All times eastern daylight.
 
Featured Groups*
Thursday, April 6:      9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, April 7:           9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, April 8:       10:30 AM – Completion of play
Sunday, April 9:         10:30 AM – Completion of play
 
Amen Corner*
Thursday, April 6:      10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday, April 7:           10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday, April 8:       12:00 Noon – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 9:         12:00 Noon – 6:00 PM
 
15 & 16*
Thursday, April 6:      11:00 AM – 6:45 PM
Friday, April 7:           11:00 AM – 6:45 PM
Saturday, April 8:       12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 9:         12:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Masters On The Range (Also airs on CBS Sports Network)
Monday, April 3:        12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM
Tuesday, April 4:        9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 5: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Thursday, April 6:      11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday, April 7:           11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday, April 8:       11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday, April 9:         11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Brandel: Tiger's Practicing Diligently, Don't Rule Out Masters

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The Golf Channel's pre-Masters teleconference call included this from Brandel Chamblee, writes G.C. Digital fresh from a two-week tour of Myrtle Beach's best courses.

G.C. writes:

“If you can believe anything that you read on social media – I know that his coach has been down there, and they’ve been hitting a lot of golf balls down in Palm Beach. The way I understand it, he’s been practicing quite diligently. So it wouldn’t surprise me if Tiger showed up at Augusta National.”

For his part, Montgomerie said that if Woods does show up, he hopes fans don’t see the 14-time major champ bowing out after “77-78 and going home from there.”

DJ Out At Houston, Day To Play Masters But Hasn't Touched Club

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As the Masters approaches I'm not sure there is much to read into Dustin Johnson's WD from the Shell Houston Open following his WGC Dell Match Play, citing fatigue that surely wasn't helped by those 2-a-day Soulcyle classes last week.

Bob Harig reports for ESPN.com:

"After a great deal of thought and consultation with my team, I have decided to withdraw from this week's Shell Houston Open,'' Johnson said in a statement. "Having played seven rounds of competitive golf in the last five days, I feel it is best to give my mind and body a much-needed rest heading into Masters week.''

Meanwhile Jason Day says he hasn't touched a club since his match play WD and a Masters appearance will depend on his mom's prognosis.

From an AP story:

“It’s very, very difficult to even think about playing golf when a loved one is going through such a traumatic experience,” Day said. “Once I get past this initial stage, hopefully I’ll find some balance and I’ll be able to kind of move on and really focus on getting my game back.

“Unfortunately, I’m human. I like to feel like I’m always on it, I’m always … ready to go and trying to compete and I want to get back to that stage but sometimes it’s very, very difficult.”