Stiff Upper Lips and Jolly Green Jackets: Augusta and the British
When you think about it, one can draw many easy parallels between The Masters tournament and stereotypical British culture. The exclusive and mysterious nature of Augusta National gives it an indefinable air of unchallenged superiority; it can easily put one in mind of a British sergeant-major, moustache quivering, bellowing: “You there, old chap! No running!”
The parallels do not end there. The love of tradition and following rules, the pomp and ceremony, the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ attitude of Augusta’s powers-that-be – it all adds a certain Britishness to proceedings. We certainly feel so on this side of the Atlantic, anyway. Speak to any British golf fan and they will immediately, unashamedly tell you that without their magnificent forefathers there would be no Masters; the golf course was designed by a Brit, so that settles the matter. Dr Alister MacKenzie was a fully paid-up Yorkshireman, drinker of tea and master architect behind many of the world’s best tracks.
Despite all these reminders of home, British success at Augusta National has been limited. In the entire history of this great tournament, only four men from the British Isles have ever slipped on a green jacket: Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Danny Willett. A poor return really, given the level of talent produced by Queen and country over the last three decades. So what is stopping world-class players and very realistic contenders like Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood from donning that iconic jacket?
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy might be the only man willing to admit the truth. In 2011, McIlroy had a four-shot lead heading into the final round. Three days of graceful, almost flawless golf had seen him shoot 65, 69, 70 to sit alone atop the leaderboard; even Tiger Woods could not attract the loudest cheers on Saturday, according to Bill Plaschke’s famous summary in the LA Times:
“The roar engulfed Tiger Woods as he walked up the final fairway but he never smiled… the cheers were not for him. They were for the next him.”
The next him. The next Tiger Woods. Just one day later, however, McIlroy’s dream was shattered by the crushing pressure that came with an overnight lead of that magnitude. After a shaky front nine, the wheels came off in spectacular fashion, leaving the young prodigy looking rather shell-shocked as he walked off with an 80.
Further Heartbreak at Augusta, but an Honest Assessment
Although he would achieve a great deal in between, Masters heartbreak would visit McIlroy once again in 2016. Trailing Jordan Spieth by just one stroke going into the final round, it was with astonishment that the golfing world watched the Northern Irishman limp to a closing 77; alongside him, Spieth all but handed the green jacket to the most recent British winner, Danny Willett. McIlroy’s assessment of the situation was typically honest and transparent:
“I’ve been in position before and I haven’t got the job done when I needed to and I don’t think that’s anything to do with my game, I think that’s more me mentally – I’m trying to deal with the pressure of it and the thrill of the achievement if it were to happen. I think that’s the thing that’s really holding me back.”
Pressure. That little word hiding an all-consuming feeling. A situation that can overwhelm a mind, permit intrusive thoughts, and cause an athlete on the brink of glory to make uncharacteristic errors. We have seen it happen many times in the sport of golf; think Jean Van De Velde climbing into the Barry Burn at Carnoustie, trousers rolled up and hopes washing downstream. Think of Adam Scott at Royal Lytham & St Annes, standing on the 15th tee on Sunday with a four-shot lead….think Thomas Bjorn taking three shots to escape a bunker in 2003. These are great players making bewildering mistakes, all because they fell victim to pressure.
So perhaps that is it; the stiff upper-lip failing the British in their hour of need. Perhaps the British Isles do not produce the type of warriors they once did; it is easy to look back at Ian Woosnam, Tony Jacklin and Sir Nick Faldo in their best years and see more steel, more grit than we see today. What would Winston Churchill say?! Well, there is a new breed of British warriors at Augusta this year.
Next. Aaron Jarvis – The Masters’ Uncommon Amateur. dark
Shane Lowry has won on the biggest stage, Tommy Fleetwood has proved his worth in the Ryder Cup and Matt Fitzpatrick keeps knocking on the door. Come on lads, channel the British spirit! Do not fail or falter. Do not weaken or tire. Do not allow the sudden shock of battle nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion wear you down. You have the tools – now do the job.