First time for Jazz at The Masters
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, will make his maiden appearance in the much-anticipated US Masters this week – fulfilling a life-long ambition to play in the revered Major.
“After winning the SMBC Singapore Open in 2019, I set my goal of getting into the world top-50 knowing that will get me into The Masters,” said the 24-year-old Jazz.
“I had it [the Masters] in my mind in 2019, it was a big bonus waiting for me at the end of my run.”
Jazz dominated the Asian Tour last year winning four times and will be hoping to sprinkle more of his stardust on the fairways of Augusta National Golf Club in the 84th staging of the US Masters.
He will also be aiming for a performance that rivals his debut in last year’s US PGA Championship – where he finished in a tie for 14th position. He flew the Asian Tour flag with distinction that week and was in a tie for second after three rounds behind the runaway leader and eventual champion Brooks Koepka of the United States.
“Playing against the bigger guys helps elevate yourself to being a better player,” added the Thai – who also won the Kolon Korea Open, BNI Indonesian Masters, and Thailand Masters in 2019 to match compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant’s record on Tour with the most number of wins in a single season.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 10: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand plays a shot on the seventh hole as his caddie Pulit Thongtae looks on during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 10, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Jazz has been paired in the first two rounds with Americans Brandt Snedeker and Charles Howell III and will tee off tomorrow at 8.11pm Singapore time (SGT).
South African Justin Harding, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, is also competing.
He made an outstanding first appearance in the prestigious event last year, ending in a tie for 12th place to secure his spot in The Masters 2020.
Defending champion Tiger Woods from the United States will play with 2019 Open winner Shane Lowry in the opening rounds.
They tee off on the 10th at 8.55pm SGT with US Amateur champion Andy Ogletree.
It was 19 months ago that Woods won his 15th major title, and first for 11 years, by claiming a fifth Green Jacket.
“I’m still getting chills just thinking about it,” he said. “[The] feelings, coming up 18 and knowing that all I have to do is just two putt that little 15-footer and to see my family there and my mom and my kids and all of the people that helped support me or were there for me in the tough times.”
Referring to the coronavirus pandemic that has delayed this year’s US Masters to November, he added: “It’s not how I wanted to retain the jacket for this long. Obviously this has been an unprecedented circumstance we’re all dealing with. We are all very fortunate to be able to compete.”
On Tuesday night Woods, now 44 years old, hosted the Champions Dinner and chose an impressive menu consisting of “The Augusta Roll” – sushi with tempura shrimp, spicy tuna and all the spices; prime steak and chicken fajitas; a dessert trio; and wine.
As a 21-year-old, Woods chose cheeseburgers, french fries, and milkshakes for his first Champions Dinner menu in 1998.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 14: (Sequence frame 5 of 12) Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after making his putt on the 18th green to win the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
American Bryson DeChambeau, the pre-tournament favourite after his brilliant US Open victory at Winged Foot, is out at 8.33 pm SGT alongside Spain’s Jon Rahm and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.
Having added 40lbs in weight in 12 months, he is now the longest driver on the PGA Tour and is considering using a 48-inch driver this week.
The 27-year-old is averaging drives of 344 yards on the PGA Tour this year, but hit a shot 403 yards in the air in practice. He tested the 48-inch driver, which has the longest shaft permitted, on Monday and said results were “really promising”.
“I am not 100% sure if I will put it in play yet because of the unknown, it is so close to the Masters,” said the American.
“But if it is an improvement on every facet of launch conditions, then I don’t see why not?”
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 10: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 10, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The tournament, which is usually held in April but has been delayed to November because of the coronavirus pandemic, features a field of 93 players.
They will start off the first and 10th tees on Thursday and Friday to ensure everyone can complete their rounds before darkness.
The criteria for making the cut has changed, with only the lowest 50 players and ties playing the final two rounds. Previously, anyone within 10 shots of the lead also made the cut.
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