Phil: "Masters Speed" Greens Give Less Than A Dozen A Shot

Tuesday was the primary player press conference day and I know you missed not hearing Tiger Woods, but at least Sam Weinman did a nice job telling us what he would have said based on, well, the things he usually says.

I've filed a GolfDigest.com roundup of the six most interesting things uttered in today's Masters pre-tournament press conferences, including snippets from Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson's assertion that the greens are getting back to "Masters speed," thus whittling the list of possible winners down to less than a dozen.

Here's the full excerpt from the transcript:

What I saw today, were the greens getting back to what I call Masters speed.  If that happens, it's a lot less.  Because if that happens, the subtleties and the nuances and the penalty of Augusta National will come through.

And then players who have had multiple years playing here and know how to play certain holes, how to play certain pin placements will have a distinct advantage.  Players that don't have find the ball going to places they don't want it to go and fighting it and feeling like it's not fair and what have you.  When you're used to it and accustomed to it, you know that's what the ball is going to do and you have to go over here, just go over there and take your par and what have you; the course doesn't beat you up.  You feel more patient, take advantage of the other holes that are birdieable and you don't feel like you're fighting all the time and giving shots away.

If that's the case, if the scores plays firm and fast conditions, I think you're looking at less than a dozen.  But if it doesn't, I think you're looking at almost half the field.

Just watching some practice on the putting green and surfaces around the clubhouse, the greens are absurdly quick considering Monday's big rains. And nothing in the weather forecast would suggest they'll be getting any slower!

Jay Coffin reported on Phil's press conference revelation that he's tinkering with his wedges and only plans one driver, while Jeff Rude focused on Phil's comments about the freeing nature of Augusta National and also reports on the bet Mickelson lost to a spectator.

Bob Harig focused on Phil's comments offered (without a question) about missing having Tiger here and the impact Woods has had on the game, especially purses.

The video link to Phil's interview, posted on Masters.com.