Masters Memories

HK Golfer's European correspondent, Lewine Mair, a veteran of over twenty Masters tournaments, picks her favourite moments from the year's first major

"Quiet With the Crisps"
Luke Donald's chances of success in 2009 were scuppered by a bag of crispsThe rules for spectators at the Masters are pretty much similar to those at most tournaments. Mobile phones and cameras are not permitted, while no-one is allowed to break into a run. But unlike most events, these are very strictly adhered to.
Yet there is a downside to having so well- disciplined and orderly a crowd.
When, for instance, Luke Donald eagled the eighth in his final round in 2009 to be no worse placed than one shot off the lead, he was thrown off course by a lady eating a bag of crisps as he was shaping to his second at the ninth. Amid the otherwise almost eerie silence, this spectator’s bolshie brand of crunching could not have done more to unhinge a man’s concentration.
“Quiet with the crisps, please,” implored Luke’s brother, Christian, who was on the bag.
Alas, the damage was done. Luke’s ball landed five feet short of the target and was soon slipping from the front of the green. Before too long, the player’s name was mirroring the missile in falling from the leaderboard.

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Written by Lewine Mair

Click here to see the published article.

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