The Masters is finally upon us.
On Tuesday, the best golfers in the world arrived Augusta National for the second full practice day at this year’s first major. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood and more are expected to meet with the press from Augusta National while plenty more are expected out on the course in anticipation of Thursday’s opening round. You can follow along below for live updates from the action.
A quick 29-shot range day for Rory McIlroy. He played an 18-hole practice round today, the final few holes with Tom McKibbin.
Pretty typical Scottie Scheffler press conference so far.
A lot of talk about staying in the present and being process-oriented and not outcome-oriented. Said the good thing about golf is you can always work to get better and solve something and Augusta National is a dream place for players like him who love to practice.
Thought it was revealing that he said he never thought about being this successful or even how successful he wanted to be when he was working up through the Korn Ferry Tour. He wanted to win the Masters but didn’t set certain targets for how successful he wanted to be, just wanted to stay in the present and get better. That plan worked.
Bryson’s final question was on his rivalry with Rory. Said he has a lot of respect for Rory and what’s to “beat the you know what” out of him when they play. Believes it’s healthy for the growth of the game if the two of them can have more major Sunday showdowns.
Scottie up next to close out the day.
Bryson said his biggest adjustment at Augusta in the past two years has been mentally locking in on hitting into the bigger parts of the greens, missing in the right spot, not going after everything and being patient. He missed the cuts in 2022 and 2023 but has been in contention the past two years. Evolution of a maturing golfer with better equipment.
Bryson said he was trying out some new wedges before LIV South Africa, and he feels like he has figured some things out. He says he’s working on building his own irons and building his own driver.
Bryson says Augusta does a good job of “fractionally changing” each year to stay ahead of golfers like him who are trying to learn the course.
The keys to his improved play here over recent years? His equipment, patience and gratitude.
We’re a few minutes away from Bryson taking the mic. Bryson said he was working on “dialing in his wedges” before he won LIV Golf South Africa. Interested to see his assessment on how that’s progressing.
Two more formal press conferences today. At 2:30 p.m. ET, Bryson DeChambeau talks. At 3, Scottie Scheffler answers questions.
Will Woodland have security with him this week? Yes, just as he does now at events. The important thing, he said, is that he knows here they are. Sudden movements can startle him, but the security presence helps.
Woodland’s message to anyone who might be watching him and who might be fighting something similar? “Talk to somebody.”
Woodland this week will be “big” for what he’s fighting after his brain procedure. He said there was also a lot of stimulation following his win in Houston two weeks ago.
Some interesting insights from Gary Woodland and how his mind works now, following his procedure. He said that Justin Thomas noted that he appears more calm now — and that, Woodland said, has been a benefit.
As we wait for Gary Woodland’s presser, one more look behind the scenes. Yes, reporters also follow the no cell phone rule on the course, but they are allowed in the press room. And that made for some panic a few years ago, when the trees fell here during the storm. I was on the course when it happened, and when I returned to the press building, I had a number of texts waiting for me if I was OK.
Gary Woodland up next. Time for a quick lunch — and another look at reporter life. For breakfast, lunch and early dinner here, the sandwiches are available. By week’s end, I eat every one of them. I usually enjoy the barbecue and chicken offerings best. I offer only the most in-depth reporting, yes.
A look behind the curtain here. So the main interviews are held in a room down from the reporting area and players are announced when they arrive. There’s a dash when they start. And a dash back to seats when they end. It makes for a mildly funny scene.
Did McIlroy learn anything from his dad, Gerry, when he played with him on Sunday, which is one of the honors given to winners? He needs to play a spinnier ball, he joked.
Another Champions Dinner question. Has McIlroy given any thought to his speech that’ll make? He said he has — and that he’s spent more time thinking about that than the food selection.
What should reporters talk about next year is asked! McIlroy’s response? What motivates him now.
Has McIlroy made any interesting discoveries off the course as winner? It’s all come in the clubhouse, where he said he hadn’t spent much time previously.
Why didn’t Rory McIlroy go more “Irish” with his Champions Dinner? “Because I want to enjoy the dinner as well.”
