Respect your Elder

It’s Tuesday morning and you’re reading a Fried Egg newsletter. Must be Masters week! We’ll have daily newsletters this week, keeping you up to date on everything going on at Augusta National.

A new honorary starter

During a rare Monday press conference, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley made a series of announcements involving Lee Elder, the first Black man to compete in the Masters. Full Press Release

At the 2021 Masters, Elder will tee it up alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as an honorary starter. “The opportunity to earn an invitation to the Masters and stand at that 1st tee was my dream, and to have it come true in 1975 remains one of the greatest highlights of my career and life,” Elder said. “So to be invited back to the 1st tee one more time to join Jack and Gary for next year’s Masters means the world to me.”

Ridley also announced the creation of the Lee Elder Scholarships at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. A historically Black college (HBCU), Paine will now offer two scholarships per year to members of the men’s and women’s golf teams. Since the college doesn’t currently have a women’s golf team, Augusta National will fund the creation of one.

Augusta National, like golf in general, has a history of racial exclusion. But recently the club and the Masters Tournament have made an effort to build relationships with underrepresented communities. Alongside ANGC’s support of the Latin American Amateur and creation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Monday’s announcements signal real progress. They don’t compensate for history, but they’re way better than nothing.

Unfortunate dropouts

Over the weekend, Joaquín Niemann announced that he tested positive for Covid-19 and had to withdraw from the Masters. 2017 Masters champion Sergio García made the same announcement on Monday morning. Trevor Immelman and Ángel Cabrera have also decided not to play, but not because of positive Covid tests.

Quick Hooks

Bryson DeChambeau hit three drives on No. 13 during his practice round on Monday. One ended up in the trees left, but the other two left him with 130 and 148 yards to the front of the green. If he pulls the big stick on that hole during the tournament and hits a good one, it will be driver-wedge for him.

Because of Covid precautions, each amateur in the field will have the opportunity to spend one night in the Crow’s Nest. 2019 U.S. Amateur champion Andy Ogletree has the honor on Wednesday, meaning he’ll roll out of bed on Thursday morning and just cruise out to the 1st tee. Well, he’ll probably go to the range first. But still.

The Latest from The Fried Egg

Why every player in the Masters won’t win – Andy guarantees these predictions will be right around 99% correct.

Last year, Geoff Ogilvy joined The Fried Egg podcast to talk through his notes on all 18 holes at Augusta National. Originally a two-part experience, we combined Geoff’s episodes to create a full 18-hole preview episode. Listen on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify.

Pro Shop

It’s a major week! Shop the green SGS quarter zip and SGS major hat today!