2012 Final Round Masters Chat

It starts with Ancient Twitterer Dan Jenkins and 2 p.m. ET and I join in from 3-4:30 for what should be another thriller.

Obama's Record On Female Golfing Partners Questioned

David Crary of AP, summing up the Augusta National membership controversy this week, notes this about President Obama's suggestion of ANGC needing female members.

Even for Obama, who's both an avid golfer and staunch backer of women's rights, questions of gender equity have arisen. According to Mark Knoller of CBS News — who keeps close track of such matters — Obama has included women among his playing partners only twice in 93 rounds of golf since taking office.

Phil's Fabulous Fifteenth Flop

John Strege with media notes and the telecast highlight, Phil Mickelson's 15th hole flop shot Saturday.

"He has to think that's not the option," CBS' Nick Faldo said, "but saying that, that means Phil will go for it."

Indeed, Phil the Thrill had his 64-degree wedge in hand, laid it wide open and hit a shot that might come to define this Masters, should he win on Sunday.

"No one hits that shot. No one," CBS' David Feherty said. "If this doesn't make every hair on your body stand up you need therapy. Nobody but Mickelson even thinks about trying a shot like that."

Ron Sirak wrote about Phil's back nine 30 and the shot:

Lefty picked up another birdie on No. 15, hitting the kind of flop shot only he can hit. "There was a lot of risk in that shot," Mickelson said about hitting back toward the water. "But that's why I put the 64-degree wedge in the bag to hit that shot off these tights lies."

In lieu of official highlights, here is a version of it...

Update on 2012-04-08 10:42 by Geoff

**Gene Wojciechowski described Phil's shot as only a multiple award-winning GWAA writer can:

But wait, then Phil tied them 14 minutes later after a flop shot that nearly tickled the belly of a corporate jet overhead, followed by a birdie putt, followed by more pneumatic riveter decibel levels.

ESPN's '12 Masters Second Round Is A Record Setter

For Immediate Release...

ESPN Has Record-Setting Friday Masters Audience
 
With an average of 4.1 million people watching, ESPN’s live telecast of the 2012 Masters Tournament on Friday, April 6, was the most-viewed Friday coverage ever for the event and the third-largest audience ever to watch golf on cable.
 
According to fast national data from the Nielsen Company, ESPN’s telecast earned a 3.3 household coverage rating, matching the 2010 record for ESPN’s highest-rated Friday coverage of the Masters. The rating was up 14 percent from a 2.9 for last year’s Friday telecast.
 
The viewership average of 4.1 million for Friday’s coverage of second round Masters play was up from the 3.5 million average for last year’s event and exceeded the previous Friday record of 3.9 million that was set in 2010.
 
The viewership for the 2012 Friday telecast ranks third all-time for golf audiences on cable, exceeded only by ESPN’s coverage of Thursday play in the 2010 Masters (4.9 million) and ESPN’s telecast of the 2008 U.S. Open playoff (4.8 million).

Masters Chat(s) Saturday!

Ahhh...just back from lunch, it's rough here in Augusta. 72 degrees, sunny, great leaderboard, they bring the players to you for quotes, what more do you need in life? Oh yes, a live chat to accompany the telecast.

Here's the GolfDigest.com chat that I'll be helming from 3-4:30. For now, off to the course to watch golf.

John McCain Or Whoever Mans His Twitter Account Wonders If It's Time For Augusta National To Admit Woman

The Atlantic's The Wire blog notes the Senator and former Presidential candidate's recent Tweet.

"Don't you think it's time Augusta National joined the 21st century - or the 20th - and allowed women members?"

Most Amateurs Make Cut Since All-Star Class Of '03

Sean Martin on the three amateurs making the cut, starting with Hideki Matsuyama, the two-time Asian Amateur champ who has a four-shot lead.

And Brett Avery in his 36-hole stat notes, points this out about the company Matsuyama, Cantlay and Kraft are in.

9. This is the first time three amateurs have made the cut since 2003: Hideki Matsuyama (145, T-31), Patrick Cantlay (149, T-57) and Kelly Kraft (149, T-57). Back in 2003 the trio was Ricky Barnes (291, solo 21st), Hunter Mahan (294, T-28) and Ryan Moore (301, T-45). In fact, in the last six years a combined two amateurs survived the cut (Matteo Manasero, T-36 in 2010; Matsuyama, T-27 last year). And Matsuyama becomes the first making consecutive cuts since Matt Kuchar in 1998-99.