AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta National Golf Club is soft and ripe for low scoring on the eve of the 87th Masters Tournament, according to a veteran caddie, and even cool, wet weather on the weekend isn’t likely to derail the birdie parade.
Paul Tesori is working his 21st Masters this week but his first on the bag of new boss Cam Young, last year’s PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
“Anytime you give these world-class players soft conditions they’re going to find a way to score,” Tesori said Wednesday. “Biggest defense of par for players of this caliber is firmness of greens. You can bring wind in, yeah it’s tricky. Rain and cold coming in is going to be tricky. But if these guys can control their ball and feel like their ball is going to finish right where it pitches, they’re still going to have the propensity to play good golf.”
Tesori said Young, who is third on Tour in driving distance, hit a 4-iron into the par-5 15th on his second shot during a morning practice round with former Wake Forest teammate Will Zalatoris. The ball landed on the green and rolled back one foot.
Tesori started caddying for Young two weeks ago after 12 years on the bag for Webb Simpson, who is cutting back his schedule.
It was a fruitful start. Young reached the finals of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, earning his sixth runner-up finish in 37 career tournaments.
Young flourished on the major stage a year ago. He finished third in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills and second in The Open Championship at St. Andrews. But he missed the cut in his Masters debut last year, shooting 77-76 and drove away from Augusta frustrated with his performance, unsure about lines off the tee and when to be aggressive or conservative. He feels better about his chances with an experienced caddie beside him.
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“His golf course analysis is unbelievable,” Young said. “He’s still out there learning, which is unbelievable to me. I feel like every hole he picks something out and gets a new number that he hasn’t had before.”
The Masters is Tesori’s favorite tournament. He’s only missed it twice in his 23-year career.
“This is a place you always want to be,” Tesori said. “It’s a place where me and my wife enjoy watching golf afterwards. It’s one of the few golf tournaments where after I’m done working and sweating and trying to figure out how to get balls on the green and stuff, I come home, put my…
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