The US Masters gets underway this Thursday with no crowds around the Augusta Greens and turning leaves replacing the normally vibrant magnolia.
It will still be the Masters though and perhaps the one tournament of the year when everyone will have an interest.
It’s not only the players that will have to face up to it being different with Sky Sports analyst Paul McGinley also working from the studio back in London rather than picking up ‘vibes’ from players, caddies and entourages around the clubhouse.
Insights
“It will be very different as I’d normally be chatting to people and picking up insights on who’s feeling well and who might be struggling,” said McGinley speaking to media last week from his home in England after returning from being part of The Leaders Lounge in Dublin.
“That’s part of the insight that we can bring from the box but as with everything, I think we have adapted well since the return of golf.”
“People have a good understanding of Augusta, the holes are recognisable and while this year will be different, there is a sense of being back in something approaching normal.”
“In terms of the players, I will be looking for those that are in form coming into the tournament.”
McIlroy
That does not include Rory McIlroy who is bidding to join a very elite club of golfers to have won each Major title. His last was in 2014 and while he has come close at the Masters his form since lockdown is a big concern.
The weather in Georgia is expected to be in the high 70’s Fahrenheit or mid 20’s celsius but with the potential for heavy rainstorms on Thursday and Friday.
That will test the powers of anecdote for McGinley but he laughed when we asked him about the prospect and said that he would have to refresh his memory about great Masters moments from the past.
In response to a question from Sport for Business, he also gave comfort around the Dubai Duty Freee Irish Open which dropped off the Rolex Tour in 2019 but which he says “remains a key part of the European tour and it will bounce back, I have no doubt about that at all.”
Sky Sports will broadcast The Masters from 12th -15th of November with exclusive live coverage of the tournament as well as previews, highlights and archive footage.
Join us this Thursday morning, November 12th at 11 AM for an online session with the authors of our monthly Irish Sport on Social media report.
A chance to chat with the authors of the report and look at ways in which sporting bodies and sponsors, as part of the Sport for Business community can maximise their impact across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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