Deadspin: 2008 masters

You're the Immelman

KOGOD — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EDT

It wasn't the most thrilling of finishes, but Trevor Immelman is your 2008 Masters champion regardless. Immelman, the first South African to be jacketed champion at Augusta since Gary Player in 1978, was able to protect the lead he held from the tournament's first round. Immelman's 75 wasn't all that pretty, but given the way the tough conditions decimated the rest of the leaderboard, it is impressive. On a side note, it should come as no surprise that Trevor has a crazy hot wife and a cute kid. Defending champ Zach Johnson thinks he'll have it all as soon as he embraces somebody as his personal savior.

Tiger Woods snuck into second place with a solid round of even par. If Tiger hadn't been betrayed by his putting stroke, today could have been one of his all-time great rounds. Instead, he finishes three back, and Immelman will be hosting dinner. Fuzzy Zoelleris willing to bet he'll serve "something African."

Let's Get Ready to Clap Politely!

KOGOD — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:53:06 EDT

Welcome fwends, to our coverage of Sunday at the Masters. The leaders are underway, and already Immelman (-10) and Snedeker (-8) have given a stroke back to the field (which is struggling a bit itself). Continue after the jump a breakdown of the leaders and contenders, as well as an updated leaderboard.

i>The Leaders

Brandt Snedeker -10: My boy Snedy just eagled the second hole to jump into a tie with his playing partner. Unfortunately I was trying to place a bet and write a post at the same time, so I didn't hit confirm until after the put went in and the line updated. Current Odds: 7/2
Update: Ouch, terrible lie in the bunker could cost him a stroke.

Trevor Immelman -10: Immelman isn't putting well enough to win the tournament right now. If he doesn't pick it up, he will fade. 3/2

The Contenders

Steve Flesch -8: He's even par so far today, but he's shown the ability to go low, with the only round of 67 in the field. Current Odds: 7/1

Paul Casey -8: Casey is a machine at Augusta and he seems almost incapable of playing poor rounds. Casey should find himself in contention until the end. Current Odds: 5/1

Stewart Cink -6: Of all the guys out there Cink is playing the best golf so far today. He's gained two strokes while the Immelman has given one back. Current Odds: 10/1

Hanging On

Tiger Woods -4: Tiger has been a bit off all week, so the chances of Tiger winning the major from behind for the first time were pretty low (but I'm an idiot). He's compounded his problems by dropping s stroke thanks to a gagged put, something he seemingly never does on Sundays especially at Augusta. Current Odds: 9/1

Leaderboard via Masters.org
Image via Yahoo! Sports

I'm Not Your Fwend, Buddy

KOGOD — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:00:24 EDT

You see, she's dressed like that because it was... raining. Forget all of that, the rain is gone and everybody is on the course in Augusta. Jim Nantz just called me his friend, so you know we're ready to go. Defending champion Zach Johnson is putting together the round of the day, but all his -4 round can do is offset yesterday's 76. Tiger has been stable through 13, if nothing else. The main attraction is one under for his round and two under for the tournament. Trevor Immelman still holds his one shot lead of playing partner Brandt Snedeker, but FIGJAM and Steve Flesch have each picked up a stroke, moving them to two back. Continue after the jump for updates on any major happenings.

The Masters Mix Channel (DirecTV 701/706) is spectacular. I just saw Snedeker birdie the second to tie for the lead while Geoff Ogilvy struggled through holes 15 and 16 in the lower right corner.

Tiger has picked up another shot, as has Paul Casey who is now -6. Casey is positioning himself for a third top 10 finish at the Masters.

Steve Flesch has broken the tie at -6 with a birdie. In case you aren't watching on television, Steve Flesch looks exactly like his name indicates.

Immelman has dropped back to the pack, leaving Snedeker all alone atop the board. I think I'm going to start calling them Imms and Snedy to save time.

Zach Johnson just posted a 68.

Another birdied par 5 for Tiger puts him at -4. I wonder how I'll spend that money...

Woodrow's Woes and Rory's Belt

KOGOD — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:45:04 EDT

Rory Sabatini will have plenty of time to do some more shopping at Hot Topic this weekend, as he became one of the top players to miss the cut at the Masters. Those who did survive the first two days at Augusta National are now underway despite a bit of atmospheric wetness. KJ Choi is already +3 for today's round, and he looks positively determined to finish in last place. Continue after the jump for a breakdown of the leaders and contenders, including Eldrick Tiger Woodrow Woods.

• After two days South Africa's Trevor Immelman remains atop the leaderboard on the strength of consecutive 68's. The tournament has been a rather drastic return to form for the immensely talented 28 year-old who had a benign tumor removed from his ribcage in December. Before the setback Immelman was often a chic pick to win one of the majors, although the closest he's gotten was a top 5 finish at Augusta in '05. Current Odds: 6/1

• Immelman is joined in the final group by the Tour's reigning Rookie of the Year, Brandt Snedeker. The former Vandy star is making his first appearance at Augusta since he tied for 41st as an amateur four years ago. The budding star has already provided a jolt of excitement to this year's tournament. Current Odds: 11/1

• There is no shortage of world class talent right at the heels of the final pairing. Mickelson and Poulter both sit at -5 and either one of them is a good bet to overtake the leaders at some point. However Poulter makes for the better bet to win given his odds (18/1) versus Mickelson's (3/1).

• Of course it wouldn't be the Masters without seeing the expression "Tiger is lurking" so I should mention that he's still very much a part of this tournament. A good finish left Woods in the red at -1. As long as he avoids more of those "Oh, Woodrow!" drives he should remain in contention. Despite the seven stroke deficit, which, if surpassed, would give him the biggest two-day comeback in tournament history, Tiger's odds are at 7/2.

I bet on Tiger.