AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jack Nicklaus was 46 years old when he won the last of his six Green Jackets in 1986. He wouldn’t be surprised if Phil Mickelson is able to win what would be his four꧒th Masters at age 46.
“I would say that Phil has a lot better chance of 𒈔winning this year than I did when I was 46,” Nicklaus said. “He’s a big guy and he’s a long guy and he’s got a great short game. 𝔉I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to find him in contention.”
Neither would Mickelson.
“I don’t think much about age right ♋now,” he said. “I think that guys’ careers are being extended a lot longer because of the way fitness has taken over. It’s not like I’m a pillar of fitness, but I spend a decent enough time to be able to physically perform and practice and play the way I’d like to play. I don’t feel as though age is as🍰 big a factor as it was decades ago.”
Augusta National has provided its broadcast partners with archive footage featuring Arnold Palmer that will be showcased during the weekend. 𝄹The club also made a significant contribution to the Arnold Palmer Charitable Foundation. Fans also will receive a commemorative Arnie’s Army badg♍e.
“I think [Thursday] will no doubt be an ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚemotional goodbye, but at the same time, an even more powerful thank you to the man we dearly love,” Masters chairman Billy Payne said.
Don’ಞt expect the Masters to change its no-cellphoneꦫ policy any time soon.
“That’s not going to happen while I’m chairman,” P🍌ayne said, adding, “I just don’t think it’s appropriate and the🎀 noise is an irritation to not only the players, the dialing, the conversation, it’s a distraction and that’s the way we’ve chosen to deal with it.”
Mike Weir and Brendan Steele were tied for lead of the Par-3 contest♈ at ♕3-under when play was canceled and the course evacuated for the remainder of the day because of bad weather. No winner was declared.
We𝓰ir had played seven holes, while Steele had played five. Several players played as many as nine holes, but didn’t post a score. Weir, thꦫe 2013 Masters champion, made an ace on the fourth hole.
“The safety of everyone 𒀰on our grounds was the determining factor in the decision to close the course and cancel the Par-3 contest,” Payne said. “We share in the disappointment of our patrons, but the safety of everyone on our grounds is always our primary 𝐆concern.”