PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Jason Bohn, who suffered a heart attack after his second round on Friday, remained hospitalized at Palm Beach Medical Center on Saturday.
“Jason is resting comfortably and in good spirits,” Bohn’s agent, Justin Richmond, said. “He is scheduled to have more tests this weekend. We know he appreciates the concern from so many people in the PGA Tour family who have reached out.”
Golf Channel reported Bohn said it was a “major” heart attack and that it was a “life-and-death” situation with 99 percent blockage of one of his arteries.
The 42-year-old Bohn, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, shot 72 Friday to make the cut on the number at 3-over par before experiencing chest pains and seeking assistance from an on-site medic and being taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The Masters still is a month away, but its famous venue, Augusta National, is in the news.
There have been numerous reports surfacing about Augusta National trying to purchase a parcel of land from Augusta Country Club, whose property is adjacent to the Amen Corner portion of the Masters course.
The biggest piece of misinformation to come out of these reports is that Augusta National wants to buy the property where Augusta Country Club’s ninth hole is so National can lengthen its 13th hole.
Augusta Country Club’s 388-yard, par-4 ninth hole sits behind Augusta National’s 12th green and 13th tee and is visible through the trees. There have been occasions when players at Augusta Country Club have hit errant shots through the trees onto Augusta National.
The reality is Augusta National never has been happy that Amen Corner is visible through the trees from Augusta Country Club and considers it an eyesore for its members and patrons to see golf carts driving around Augusta Country Club through the trees.
One rumor said Augusta National offered $1 million to Augusta Country Club to buy its ninth hole and offered a high-profile course designer to re-do the hole and that Augusta Country Club countered with $50 million.
Golfweek reported on Saturday that Augusta National has agreed to pay a price believed to be $27 million for the land and to provide the designer to re-do its No. 9.
The dog-leg-left, 510-yard par 5, nicknamed Azalea, was lengthened from 480 yards 2002. At last year’s Masters, it ranked as the easiest hole on the course, playing to a stroke average of 4.55, and yielded 20 of the tournament’s 47 eagles. Some of the longer hitters, such as Rory McIlroy, have hit 9-irons and wedges to the green on their second shots.
After leaders Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia at 9-under, the three players with the best chance to post an early low number to catch them are Blayne Barber, who is 5-under after shooting 69 Saturday, and Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, who are both 4-under.
Vijay Singh looked like he was about to make a serious run at becoming the oldest winner in PGA Tour history until he faded in his third round Saturday. Singh, who turned 53 on Monday, was 6-under par through 14 holes and was in contention for the title. But he went 3-over on his final five holes to fall to 3-under for the tournament. The oldest player ever to win a PGA Tour event was Sam Snead at 52.
Phil Mickelson failed to make the Saturday move he wanted to make in the third round, shooting an even-par 70 to stay at 3-over for the tournament. Mickelson birdied Nos. 4 and 5 to get to 2-under for the round but bogeyed No. 6 and doubled No. 11 to derail his rally.
Michael Thompson, who won the Honda Classic in 2013 and was tied for the lead after an opening-round 65, shot 79 Saturday to stand at 7-over par. He went from 65 Thursday to 73 Friday to 79 Saturday.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington is 3-over for the tournament. New Jersey native Morgan Hoffman is 2-over.