The variety of flowers and green plants at Augusta National are, of course, something else. Gardening is my great love, and in 2024 the club allowed us access to the greenhouses and potting buildings that are to the left of the 11th hole for a piece on CBS. These places are breathtaking. Inside are all manner of flowers and green plants. One source of amazement was the “backup azaleas” to ensure we see healthy examples during the tournament. The number of people who care- take these plants is remarkable, and the woman who manages what Augusta National titles their “Plant Health Care Operation,” Abigail Gleixner, is a genius and one of the people I admire most outside of golf. Naturally, I purchased a couple of souvenirs from the merchandise shop. I always get the same thing: Six coffee mugs for a group of my favourite gal pals back home. They invade our backyard during tournament week with the mugs, and they frequently fill them with something other than coffee. Last year, one of our besties, a woman I have known since middle school, passed away, so this year, I got only two mugs, one for me and one for my bestie’s husband. Our group gathered at her gravesite just prior to the first round with the mugs. Loyal friends are so important. On Sunday evening, my housemates, Jeff Sluman and Billy Kratzert, had left town. I was in the house by myself and made something to eat. As I sat over my Bolognese and halibut, I unex- pectedly broke into a short cry. It was a happy cry, I suppose, kind of a release after being “on” for a long period of time doing my best for an event that means so much to so many people, me included. Come next April, I hope to cry again.
small opening, and, sure enough, he pulled off a semi-miracle shot that led to a par. He saw me and smiled. On Sunday, he missed big again on No 7, this time to the left. Again, I saw a tiny opening – much smaller than the one on Saturday – and this time he hit it close. It was beyond gutsy, and he caught me shaking my head out of the corner of his eye. I guess my facial expression struck him as hilarious because that was the moment when TV viewers saw him laugh uproariously. When I was with NBC, Roger Maltbie warned me to never suggest Tiger Woods was dead when he hit it into trouble. “Don’t do it because more often than not he will hit a recovery that will make you look like a damned fool,” Maltbie said. Today I ap- ply that same advice to Rory. It’s a combination of strength, outrageous clubhead speed, an ability to create a swing and sheer determination. Tiger and Rory stand alone as trouble-shot maestros. IN THE AFTERMATH OF RORY’S VICTORY, I was standing in the walkway behind the 18th green. When Rory exited, he hugged several people with great emotion. When he got to me, I briefly felt a temptation to hug him, too, because we know and like each other, and I appreciated his struggle to complete the career Grand Slam. But I only offered my hand for him to shake, which he did. No hug- ging, not in that moment and not in my capacity. Within an hour my phone lit up with texts from colleagues and professionals all over the industry. The messages essentially were the same: “I’m so glad you didn’t hug. What a pro you are.” My in- stincts turned out to be good. This was the Masters after all.
SWEET MOMENTS Rory with wife, Erica, and their daughter, Poppy. ( Below ) The champion is greeted by the author.
54 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MAY 2025
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