When it’s time for the Masters (one day even before seeing edition number 87 on the field) the history of the first major of the season comes into play forcefully. Because here in Augusta, in southern Georgia, year after year since 1934, the legend of the Masters has been nourished by great plays, by champions and perfection, by strict rules and cultured spectators (the “patrons” as Augusta likes to call them).
Because competition and course were born together with a single purpose, that of giving a show and a golf lesson, to put even the best in serious difficulty. Perfectly centered objectives that have created expectation, respect, awe and exaggerated enthusiasm as well as deserved.
Costantino Rocca, statements
“How do I remember that Sunday on the pitch with Tiger? It was the second time I played in the team leader of a major, after the 1995 Open Championship. I felt a great emotion. Tiger was the new rising star and I started 7 strokes behind.
I had good chances at the beginning, but not I was able to recover shots and get close. Then in the back nine he took off. I was trying to play my game and was focused on myself, but meanwhile I was watching this guy with enormous potential, it was a wonderful experience to watch the birth of a champion.
In the last few holes I gave in a bit, it could have gone better perhaps with a second place. But winning was almost impossible, his game was overflowing, and there was no mistake he couldn’t recover”. “A single course, even with good experience, always manages to create problems for you.
You have to focus on where the flag is in order to place the tee shot in the right place and have an easier shot. But it doesn’t leave you breathing. Even in par 5 where two of you can hit the green, maybe make two good shots but missing a meter can cost you a double bogey.
And then you have to figure out when to lean on the defensive”. “Did I ever talk to Tiger about when I beat him in the Ryder Cup (Valderrama, Spain,1997)? I’ve never had the chance to do it. But I had a great response from a champion like him in Wales during the 2010 Ryder Cup.
He was going to the driving range, from about a hundred meters I called him, he stopped, he did reverse gear and came to greet me. The most beautiful thing that a great man like him has given me, and I thank him so much for that”.
