Stars ahead of US Masters: "Will miss the audience every day"

The week after Georgia played a key role in the thriller in the US presidential election, the state is in focus again.

Now in the world of sports, and this time the fight is not about the White House but about the green jacket.

The venue is, as usual, Augusta National, the classic golf course which in many ways is also a fantastic sports arena.

The 18 holes are not only exquisite individually, they are also laid out in a rolling slope from the clubhouse down to the cauldron that opens into the holes at the classic Amen Corner (11-13) and the key holes 15 and 16 where the competition is often decided.

Already from Monday's training game, the audience is usually present in the thousands and on Sunday afternoon, everything reaches its climax when the competition is to be decided.

"Will be missing"

But this year, no cheers are heard echoing among the pine trees.

Instead, it is usually pretty quiet out on the track.

Sometimes a little soothing bird chirps is heard, now and then a police siren in the distance.

The atmosphere that usually plays such a big role in making the Masters a very special golf competition shines with its absence.

-We have been doing this for a few months and are starting to get used to it.

But the spectators here make this week a little more special, says world runner-up Jon Rahm.

-They will be missing every day, but the last nine holes on Sunday - when players start making birdies and eagles - are usually electric.

And you can hear the difference in every scream.

You know if they're cheering for Tiger or for someone else, you know what's going on.

Tiger, of course it is Woods who is still the reigning champion after the victory just over a year and a half ago.

- The audience helped me win then, says Woods.

- We all miss the energy from the audience and yes, this year will be very different.

Launched this spring

The Masters were just a few weeks away when the competition moved this spring, when the corona pandemic almost paralyzed the entire sports world in March.

While the British Open - which was covered by insurance - completely canceled this summer's championship at the Royal St Georges, Augusta National chose to postpone the Masters until November instead.

The hope then was that the audience could be welcomed by now.

But already in August, it was decided that this year's Masters will be audience-free and since then it has been about preparing for a corona-secured major.

Among other things, this means that the road to Augusta National goes via a "drive thru" tent where everyone must be co-tested before they are allowed on the track.

A little over 100 writing journalists have been accredited to follow the Masters on site, each player is only allowed to invite one guest and everyone is encouraged to wear a mouth guard inside the facility.

Every day, the body temperature is also checked at the entrances.

But the players are happy that it is possible to complete the classic competition, after all.

- What surprises me is that I always get the same feeling as the first time when I go down Magnolia Lane (to the clubhouse).

Yesterday, today and tomorrow - and every day this week - I will have those butterflies in my stomach because this is such an iconic place for golfers, says Jon Rahm.

Different scenery

The organizers of Augusta National are also not in the habit of doing things half-heartedly.

The grass is admittedly a little rougher than in April, but the condition of the track is as usual in absolute top class.

In addition, they have promised to invite TV viewers to new exciting camera angles that are made possible by the fact that spectators are not present.

The only thing you do not seem to have succeeded in is conjuring up the flowering azaleas that are typical of a traditional April Masters.

Instead, this year's championship is decided with yellow-red autumn colors as a backdrop.

- We are grateful to be able to come here and participate and compete.

We are grateful that people can sit at home and enjoy the competition.

This is a soulful place if you love golf, so we are happy that the competition is played, says Phil Mickelson.