At the Masters, a missed heartbreak comes with a microphone

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Fred’s couple stood on the platform and waved, thinking about what could have happened.

“I mean, I had a great time,” she said. It was clear that he meant that. It was also clear that he was still thinking about Augusta National’s 15th hole, where he made a 9 on Thursday and a 6 on Friday, and lost his chance at the cut line.

“I never dipped it in the water there,” he said. “Now it’s water, water, water every time I look at this lady, and I don’t know why.

He shook his head.

“What’s a nine? Is it a quad? Quad-double-double, wow.” This is in reference to his poor finish on Thursday. When he played at 15 he was two years below the division. When he turned 17 he was six years old. “It’s 8-over [on three holes]. I think it’s almost impossible to do that, but I did it.”

But he made something clear despite his embarrassment.

“You’d have to be an idiot not to like Augusta National,” he said. “There are good studies all over the world, but none like this.”

BRUTAL, VERY COOL THING The only thing that happens on Friday at the Masters is this: we actually hear from golfers who missed the cut.

On a typical week the golfers who shoot the lowest scores are the ones who talk to the media. Those who don’t? They are usually allowed to trunk-slam in peace. But this week there’s more media, infrastructure and the result of a missed cut, so it’s worth hearing about. It may be too cruel that one week gains there is asked about their missed cut a week ago where the most painful miss – but to one of three small platforms just outside Augusta National’s scoring area.

That’s where, on Friday morning, you could have heard a sad confession from Andrew Novak, who just bogeyed two of his last three holes to call it a weekend.

“Yeah, I mean, I was thinking, ‘This could be the last time I play here,'” Novak said.

For a long time, he said, returning to this place and getting a place in this tournament will motivate him. But in real time?

“Yes, this is my favorite week of the year. This is the best tournament I’ve ever played in. It’s a little disappointing that I won’t have two more rounds to play in,” he said.

Tom McKibbin followed shortly after, having just carded a second-round 76 that clinched his first Masters. The Northern Irishman admitted he wasn’t sure what he felt it, indeed. But he felt a lot.

“I don’t know. It was a little annoying. It was fun. Yeah, it was everything. Maybe a little emotional,” he said. Mainly describe it as feeling different.

“I think it’s probably the first time I’ve been to the place and I feel like I’m trying not to miss it again,” he said. “Definitely the best golf tournament I’ve ever played.”

Anyone who has been to Augusta National can speak to its dreamworld quality. For one week, you’re in the middle of a sports world – with unlimited chicken sandwiches at your fingertips and a beautiful golf course all around. A very small group that actually arrives play the event, and the dream week doesn’t end in between.

“Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, the preparation was unbelievable,” said Min Woo Lee, in disbelief after 78-77. “You can think that I will win the tournament the way I was [playing] before the event.”

BEFORE THE LAW THE MAGIC NUMBERthose in the bubble hoped they had done enough.

“I mean, it’s hard to say. You have to,” Danny Willett said after posting his fifth two-day total over the average. “Fingers crossed we get a little wind and we should be good.”

“It’s not over yet,” said Harry Hall several teams later after he, too, posted 5s. He called his chances 50-50. “I hope I’ll be there at the weekend, I’ll stay positive and see how it goes.”

But Willett’s spirit never came. Greens always agree. The cut settled at four par, sending both – along with 35 other players – home early.

Like them, Aldrich Potgieter was forced to move on to the next. It seems unlikely that there he can there was another competition in just a week. But you’re right…

“I’m just going to enjoy the moment [my family]then the plane will return on Monday back to South Africa, then we will go to RBC,” he said.

In fairness, it isn’t everyone he spoke. As the day grew late and local attention refocused on Rory McIlroy’s six-shot lead, the two pros saw their championships suddenly go up in smoke. Akshay Bhatia needed par at the last and made a double bogey. Bryson DeChambeau needed a bogey and made a terrific triple. But Bhatia was not asked to speak, and when the reporter asked for DeChambeau, he was out of sight, heading for the parking lot.

The end of their tournaments came suddenly, and their exit was only fitting. But others seem happier to linger and ponder, even in disappointment.

“It’s a special place. I had a lot of fun there,” Casey Jarvis said. “Obviously it’s a disappointing day, I’m trying hard to cut it. Unfortunately, that’s golf, but yeah, I’m very happy to be here.”

As for his weekend plans?

“I’ll come and watch. I’ll watch Rory. Maybe I’ll learn something, you know.”

Some novices have been able to distinguish good from bad, even in real time.

“We talked a good amount, and he’s a good guy,” said high school student Mason Howell, who played with McIlroy. “Yeah, I mean, that was a special moment for me to play with my idol. Except for the cut, it was everything I dreamed of.”

“I think it exceeded my expectations. I was very happy,” said Jackson Herrington, who has long-term plans for his comeback. “I’ll be back to wear one of those green jackets.”

In the short term?

“Maybe if I’m allowed to go out to practice, I’ll be out here tomorrow,” concluded Herrington. “It’s the best place in the world. I know that.”

Dylan Dethier welcomes your comments at dylan_dethier@golf.com.

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