MASTERS NOTES
AUGUSTA – An ignorant photographer obviously unaware of the rules and golf tournament protocol enraged Phil Mickelson on the final hole of his third round yesterday when he rang out a series of clicks in the middle of Mickelson’s backswing on the 18th tee, causing the drive to be errant.
Subsequently, Mickelson would bogey the hole and take a one-shot lead into the final round.
According to Jim MacKay, Mickelson’s caddie, the photographer was asked before Mickelson took the swing not to shoot during it.
“To have something like that happen that affects the event is upsetting,” Mickelson said. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid to have a chance at an event like this, to have a chance in the final round and be in the last group.
“To have a photographer affect the outcome is upsetting. The photographer was about four feet from me.”
*
The last 15 Masters champions have come from the final pairing on Sunday.
Mickelson and Fred Couples were paired together in the final group. Their caddies, Jim “Bones” MacKay for Mickelson and Joe LaCava for Couples, are great friends and have been rooming together at a nearby motel all week as they often do on the road.
Couples, 46 years old and six months, was vying to become the oldest Masters winner in tournament history, eclipsing the feat Jack Nicklaus accomplished in 1986, 20 years ago at 46 years-old and two months.
*
The winner’s money is $1.26 million. Runner-up wins $756,000, third place $476,000, fourth place $336,000 and fifth place $280,000.
The top 16 finishers will receive automatic invitations to next year’s Masters.
*
The chilly morning conditions had an ill affect on a number of players as they resumed their respective third rounds.
“The course was playing totally different,” Mike Weir said. “Friday, I hit driver and 9-iron on No. 18. [Yesterday morning] I hit driver and 5-wood and didn’t even hit the green.”