US Masters blog: the local rag

Day two of the 2009 US Masters has arrived and Alex Narey delves into the Augusta Chronicle to give you a heads-up on the action...

Friday morning at Augusta National and the sun is still shining. Not quite as bright as yesterday, but still shining all the same. Out on the course, veteran Larry Mize is one-over for the day through ten, and the crowds are steadily flocking for the second instalment of what could be a fascinating season opener.

As a one-time regional paper journalist, I have been intrigued with the quite excellent coverage in the Augusta local rag, The Augusta Chronicle, for which they carry a separate Masters 2009 supplement of sorts. It pretty much covers every base – and refreshingly, refuses to stick rigidly to home hopes.

As you would expect, Augusta’s own, Mize, steals a few columns on the front page. Woods and Campbell share the lead story: TAKING FLIGHT FROM START, but most of the coverage focuses on yesterday’s weather, and the fact that the Masters is back, bathing in the sunshine of old.

Interestingly, there is a strong British flag being flown in the Chronicle. Oliver Wilson is a diarist, while Ross Fisher, Europe’s leading light yesterday, is afforded a huge Q&A on page 11. Luke Donald gets a mention and Harrington also receives plenty of copy.

For today, the Chronicle sees the weather as declining somewhat late in the afternoon. There are a few clouds gathering, but it would be knit-picking to complain. Thursday in review - Chronicle highlights:

Shot of the day: Andres Romero’s eagle on the 3rd hole, with the Argentine holing out on the 335-yard par 4 – Augusta’a shortest.

Hardest hole of the day: the par-3 4th. At 240 yards, only four birdies in total and, 56 pars and 34 bogeys. Easiest hole of the day: the par-5 2nd. At 574 yards pretty much all downhill with two eagles, 44 birdies, 46 pars and only four bogeys. Pace of play: five hours and five minutes.

Driving distance: Alvaro Quiros – 321.5 Greens in regulation: Jim Furyk (18/18) Average score: 72.25

From Augusta

Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.