AUGUSTA – Few sporting events in the world produce moments like the Masters does at Augusta National every April. These moments have become a rite of springtime and they often spawn memories of a lifetime for those fortunate enough to witness them in person or even through television screen.
Yesterday afternoon at about 2:15 p.m., one of those unforgettable moments unfolded simultaneously on holes No. 6 and No. 16, where the two greens are half a sand wedge apart, separated by only spectators, pine needles and a few tall pine trees.
The hill situated below the sixth tee and overlooking the 16th green, where fans sprawl out on the grass as if they were chilling out at Jones Beach on an 80-degree day watching the waves roll in off the Atlan tic, is one of the finest places in sports to watch the action unfold.
While Jack Nicklaus was arriving at the 16th green, Arnold Palmer, playing in his 50th consecutive – and final – Masters, had just stuck his tee shot to within five feet of the flag on the sixth green to the delight of the throng of fans packed into the area.
Then, as Nicklaus was surveying his 30-foot birdie putt on the 16th green, Palmer was silhouetted against the afternoon sun as he walked over the top of the hill and headed down toward the sixth green. Nicklaus, now watching Palmer, removed his cap and lifted it in the air in honor of the King and then gave him the thumbs up, a customary Palmer gesture.
Palmer returned the love, taking his cap off, giving the thumbs up and waving. The place was delirious.
Moments later, Nicklaus and Palmer were standing over their respective putts at the exact same moment, Nicklaus sinking his three-footer for par and Palmer barely missing his five-foot birdie attempt and tapping in for par.
It was the last time a moment like that will ever be played out and it was one to be forever inscribed into the memory banks for all who were there to see it.
It was the best of all Masters moments on the Friday of the 68th edition of this storied event, one which promises to produce a more contemporary moment by the end of tomorrow afternoon’s final round.
LEADERBOARD
Justin Rose 67-71 – 138 -6
Alex Cejka 70-70 – 140 -4
Jose Maria Olazabal 71-69 – 140 -4
K.J. Choi 71-70 – 141 -3
Phil Mickelson 72-69 – 141 -3
Fred Couples 73-69 – 142 -2
Chris DiMarco 69-73 – 142 -2
Ernie Els 70-72 – 142 -2
Charles Howell III 71-71 – 142 -2
Davis Love III 75-67 – 142 -2
Notables
Tiger Woods 75-69 – 144 E
Sergio Garcia 72-72 – 144 E
Retief Goosen 75-73 – 148 4
Padraig Harrington 74-74 – 148 4
Vijay Singh 75-73 – 148 4
Missed the cut
Mike Weir 79-70 – 149 5
Craig Stadler 74-75 – 149 5
Darren Clarke 70-79 – 149 5
John Daly 78-71 – 149 5
Ben Crenshaw 74-75 – 149 5
Jack Nicklaus 75-75 – 150 6
Len Mattiace 76-75 – 151 7
Tom Watson 76-76 – 152 8
Arnold Palmer 84-84 – 168 24