Wednesday's Masters Notes

Senior Master
In seven Champions Tour events this year, Bernhard Langer has already won twice and finished third once.

But two-time Masters Champion said that doesn't translate into making him a favorite for this year's Masters Tournament.

"This is the greatest course in the world, but it is so much longer than we're used to," he said "You have no idea," said the only German player ever to win the Masters title.

"The greens are so much faster than we have (on Champions Tour). But I have been playing very good lately and I'm looking forward to this."



The King Readies for his Throne
Four-time Champion Arnold Palmer said he was looking forward to his second year as the official starter Thursday to begin the 2008 Masters.

"Sure, I'm looking forward to it," said Palmer. "Everything about Augusta is special, from the trees to the flowers and the crowds and the course. I'm always happy to be here."

Palmer said it is extra special to begin the Tournament where four-time winner Tiger Woods begins his quest for the first modern Grand Slam in golf history.

It's a feat Palmer feels is possible.

"I know he (Woods) has what it takes, but can he do it at the right time?" said Palmer. "That's the question."


Course Conditions
Architect Tom Fazio said if there's perfect weekend weather for the Masters, it should allow the course to play as it was designed.

"You're always anxious to get to Augusta, to see how the course will hold up, and see what the weather will do," Fazio said. "I think with good weather and the par 72 course, the winner will return to low digits under par."

He said the reason there has been so much interest in the course changes is that everyone's loves watching the Masters and feel they know the course.

"Augusta National is like a relative to most people," he said. "They watch it and love it and feel like they know it. Everybody has an option, you just get use to it."



Boo thoughts
Florida native Boo Weekly is making his first visit to the Masters and the Augusta National.

He said he loves the course, the tournament, and the history, but still getting used to the number of Patrons who attend every day.

"I can't believe how many of them there are here," he said. "They all want you to pose for a photo or sign something; it's more than I've ever seen. Then when you're going home, they're all on that road out there. I'm staying six miles away and it takes me 45 minutes to get home"

Weekly said he hasn't been affected by nerves. He simply puts it in fishing terms what the Masters means to him.

"It's like fishing in Florida at your favorite lake and then going over to Texas," he said. "It's a new pond, the biggest one in the world. I'm glad to be here."



Ryder Summit
U.S. and European Ryder Cup Captains Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo held a brief meeting under a practice range tree Wednesday morning.

Azinger, whose best Masters finish was fifth place in 1998, and Faldo, a three-time Masters Champ, spent most of their time laughing and joking about past Masters experiences.

It's likely a marked contrast to their more serious meeting this September at the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Azinger played nine holes in a practice round with J.B. Holmes Wednesday and also participated in the Par 3 Contest.

"Nothing could make me more excited to be out here for the Masters and for this September," Azinger said.