With an 18-year Masters record that includes eight top 10s, 13 top 20s and two wins, perhaps it should come as no surprise that ‘Chema’ took the early lead at this year’s Masters. Except that the last of those top 20s – a 3rd – was back in 2006.
But when you consider the two decades since have included a litany of 12 missed cuts in 16 starts betraying a battle with age – Jose Maria Olazabal turned 60 in February – and a career-defining issue with arthritis, that creditable start is more shock than surprise.
Tom Watson, the spriteliest of the honorary starters, boarded the 1st tee around 30 minutes ahead of JMO, whose group sadistically included the long-hitting Potgeiter. The American’s tee shot, a tidy, two-yard draw, was longer than that of the Spaniard’s. One feared for his chances of respectability.
Among the endless statistics available in the Masters media centre, one told us that Olazabal had hit the most shots on the range on Tuesday, something close to 300.
A man taking his chances seriously, searching for a secret or simply making up for a quiet winter? His schedule is certainly light of late – three competitive fixtures this year, one on the Legends Tour and two in the US, have yielded a highest finish of T14 at last month’s Hoag Classic.
Jose Maria has always struggled with his driver, even in his pomp, and with every passing year he has relied more and more on sheer guts, competitive spirit, stellar iron play and perhaps most of all a short game from the gods.
A chip and run from the back of the 1st green was to die for. Set against a somewhat more relatable attempt from Potgieter, he grasped the early momentum in the group and set the tone for the holes that followed.
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There followed a birdie made the hard way – up and down from 120 yards – on two then a good break on three after a less than pure approach clung to the front edge. That sent him to the perilous 4th under par and his mood was further improved when he mercifully found a forward tee. The energy of his start carried him to the green and on to further pars to close out the front nine in red figures.
The juxtaposition of the monstrously long, all aerial, Masters novice Potgeiter and the craft of the Masters veteran was perhaps never more evident than on their tortoise-and-hare approach to 13. Olazabal’s ball was never far above ground as he boarded the green in three versus the South African’s two, lusty, 10-storey missiles. Ollie’s putt stayed above ground to narrowly miss out on an educational half in fours.
Ollie looks like he is having fun. And when his caddy stopped to chat by the side of the 15th fairway he confirmed that the aim was to go out and enjoy it. In the same spot we met the head of the Spanish Golf Association.
He agreed with our assessment that his long-term friend is playing to a personal par of 76 – a score that he eventually bettered by two. He told us that Jose Maria has been helping the association’s elite players transition to the professional game for a quarter of a century. He truly is a man steeped in golf.
Watching this particular Master at close quarters was instructive. He showed the multiple ways to skin this craftiest of cats. The ground game is more than possible, with craft, a lack of height and spin used wisely. The disadvantage of dwindling distance is balanced by the advantage of total clarity. The temptation of risk for reward that is offered on so many holes is removed and with it the potential for derailment that scuppers so many young guns. Just ask Potgeiter who will learn much from his two days with Chema.
Olazabal is in the twilight of his competitive years. He will certainly not be seen at any other major again. There are those that call for restriction on ages for champion’s exemptions here, and indeed at the Open. Taking the place of more competitive players, they say, weakening the field. But surely this is where the joy is, in the denying of the dying of the light, the life of the old dog, the chance to witness childhood heroes for one last time. Couples, Singh, Weir, Cabrerra. They bring colour, romance, hope and nostalgia. They will not win, they are not the headline act, but they are the fabric, the colour.
An 86-year-old Nicklaus struck his ceremonial drive with a tear in his eye, perhaps wondering as we were how many more times we will see him lead the tournament off. We should make the most of our great champions, be that for one shot, two rounds or occasionally, beautifully, wondrously four.
Thank you, Jose Maria Olazabal, and enjoy your walk tomorrow. You have earned it.
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