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His college coach at Kansas University, Ross Randall, watched the Masters coverage with wife Linda from their winter home in Boynton Beach, Fla., and his mind wandered to the days Gary Woodland, a strapping athlete who could crush a golf ball, worked so hard at polishing the rough edges.
“I can remember all those times we’d stand on the putting green (at Alvamar), freezing our behinds off, moving snow off the green so he could putt,” Randall said.
Woodland’s sunny Masters debut got off to a rough start Thursday. His bogey on No. 10 put him at 3-over par, where he remained through 12. Oh well, at least he qualified.
Eagle, par, birdie, near-ace birdie, birdie, birdie. Six-under par over the final six holes. Tied for seventh with a 69. One stroke ahead of Phil Mickelson. Two strokes in front of Tiger Woods. Are we all dreaming, or is this really happening?
Mashing drives. Attacking pins. Draining putts. Golf announcers jacked beyond belief, marveling at how much fun Woodland, 26, Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, 26, and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, 28, were having while tearing up the back nine of Augusta National. One referred to them as “blasters.”
The Blasters and one much younger star stole the show on the first day of the greatest golf tournament. They fed off each other’s hot putters and fist-bumped. Quiros shot a 33-32—65 — his previous best score at Augusta National was 75 — and is tied for the lead with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, 21. Woodland fired a 31 on the back side. Vegas shot 38-34—72.
When Woodland stood over a long putt on No. 17, Randall kept his fingers crossed, hoping for a two-putt. Woodland drained it, and Randall turned to Linda: “Hell, he never made putts like that for me.”
KU golf coach Kit Grove, an assistant to Randall when Woodland was a senior, couldn’t believe his good fortune. Here Grove was having dinner with a recruit and his parents as Woodland made a dramatic climb up the leaderboard on a nearby TV.
“He’s such a great ambassador for our program,” Grove said. “When he’s back in town, he comes in and talks to the guys on the team. He’s always thinking about ways to make KU golf better. He wants to give back. He’s already made two (financial) pledges.”
Woodland’s not a boring golf robot. He’s a personality, and he’s an athlete.
“He’s very personable,” Grove said of the Topeka native. “I watch his interviews, and he always plugs KU and KU basketball. He truly has a love for Kansas.”
Wooldand’s success might help KU’s recruiting.
“It just gives validity to the fact that, hey, you can come to Kansas and get prepared for the next level,” Grove said. “We play good golf courses, play a good schedule, have a winter hitting facility, a great short-game area, we really can prepare you to do something with golf after you get your degree.”
Randall had a feeling Woodland wouldn’t wilt under Masters pressure.
“He really likes the limelight,” Randall said. “He’s not a ham, but he likes being where the lights are on. He always does well when he’s on TV.”
Those cameras aren’t going anywhere. The Blasters tee off at 9:41 this morning.
Comments
HawksWin (anonymous) says…
It is great to be a Jayhawk! After our sudden exit from the NCAA tourney, the departure of the twins, and the incomplete 2011 recruiting class, I was feeling the blues. Then I remembered Woodland from your article, and next thing I know I'm glued to ESPN watching - a Jayhawk! This will be a great PGA season to watch! Hope Woodland won't allow a European to take the green jacket!!! And that he will be a great representative for the US & the Jayhawk Nation in the US Open! I think I can make it until November!
100 (anonymous) replies…
Only player in the history of the Masters to score 3 points in Allen Fieldhouse.
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says…
Gary hits the ball a ton, often teeing off with an iron. His short game has always been his struggle. Over the last year he's had some fantastic rounds and some pretty bad ones as well. I'm really excited for him and this Masters opportunity. I had stopped paying attention after his front 9, but I won't make that mistake again today.
jhox (anonymous) says…
I was lucky to tune in just moments after his eagle, and got to see the remainder of his round. It's fun to have a Jayhawk to root for. Let's hope he can hang around and be in contention until Sunday.
MinnesotaJay (anonymous) says…
What a six-hole stretch. That's really sucking it up! Hope we have a chance to do a victorious Rock Chalk chant late Sunday afternoon.
clevelandjayhawker (anonymous) says…
Can Gary wear a KU hat or shirt? Or is he under contract to wear under armor? Or do they make an under armor shirt with a giant Jayhawk on it???
matt_tait (Matt Tait) replies…
He probably can't wear anything KU related unless Under Armor were to make it (which they could and might if he keeps rolling), but I would imagine he could easily have a Jayhawk club cover sticking out of his bag if he wanted to...
That might be cheesy, though, and he might catch some crap for it from the other golfers. I'm guessing he's a lot more concerned with continuing to tear up the courses he plays, though.
Hopefully he can finish strong and continue to make a name for himself.
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says…
shot 73 today....wish he'd be down another stroke or two. will have to shoot 68 or lower tomorrow to have a chance.