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Tournaments

Masters 2019: Lil Wayne’s guide to attending the Masters at Augusta National

Dylan DethierBy Dylan Dethier
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April 10, 2019

AUGUSTA, Ga. — If you’ve spent any time sifting through the internet’s mega-drop of Masters preview material, there’s no doubt you’ve come across a guide or two telling you how to spend your time come Masters Week. But if you’re lucky enough to attend in person, it may help to get the advice of someone unburdened by the overload of institutional knowledge that comes from being a member of the golf media.

Enter Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., known more often as Lil Wayne. In addition to being one of the biggest rappers in the game, Weezy’s an underrated golf fan. And he’s a principled Masters watcher, too. Last year he even took in the event in person! We’ve pored over his posts and interviews to bring you, dear readers, some lessons from Lil Wayne as you prep for the biggest week in golf.

1. Enjoy the golf.

Lil Wayne hit Augusta National last year for the first time — and he loved it. He fired off a tweet on Sunday night after tracking Rory McIlroy and eventual winner Patrick Reed in the final round. One of “the most pristine and prestigious experiences ever!” This, from a man who once unleashed “My picture should be in the dictionary/Next to the definition of definition,” should carry some extra gravitas.

So if you’re one of the fortunate few to walk along the rope lines this week, make sure you soak it in —with Lil Wayne’s permission.

2. Mind your etiquette.

Sure, the Masters is meant to be enjoyed, but Lil Wayne added a reminder about the particular rules that go along with watching golf in person. His recommendation to watch a video on how to act (and not act) while on course might seem extreme to golf fans — but just think about how much inane stuff a casual viewer might not know, especially within the rules-conscious confines of the National. Coming from a guy with enough confidence to drop the line, “When it Waynes, it pours” about himself, this is some serious self-awareness, and frankly a useful heads up for an inexperienced viewer.

3. Get some exercise.

You’ll remember, of course, when Lil Wayne rapped: “Weezy hustle, no blubber, I put on weight/And in the drought I go on a diet and stretch more.” And that was in 2004! So we know that nutrition has been on his mind for quite some time. You’ve also heard that Augusta National’s elevation changes are severely underrated. A day at the Masters is a great opportunity to collect some steps and burn serious calories.

4. Appreciate the greats.

Take a moment to really crystallize in your mind the image of Lil Wayne standing up solo in his living room to applaud Tom Watson’s final holes at Augusta in April 2016. To quote, well, Lil Wayne, “Some people hang you out to dry, like a towel rack.” Weezy isn’t one of those guys.

And what’s that they say? Real recognize real? When it comes to acknowledging recognition from one of the greats, Tom Watson knows what’s up.

5. Pick someone to root for — and don’t be afraid to switch.

The year is 2017. You’re hoping your boy Rickie Fowler makes a Sunday charge to take down his first Masters. So you take to Twitter to tell people about it.

But then, later in the day, it becomes exceedingly clear that it’s not going to happen for Fowler. You switch allegiances — and pick a winner! That’s how you leave Masters Sunday feeling good for all involved.

6. Stand up for what you believe in.

Look, Lil Wayne is all for following Augusta’s particular brand of etiquette. But he’s going to call out injustice where he sees it. Six years ago, that meant calling out the Masters for penalizing 14-year-old Guan Tianling for slow play. He had a fair point, too: nobody had ever been penalized for slow play at the Masters. Shoutout to Lil Wayne, sticking up for the (literally) little guy. And Guan made the cut, after all that.