Filling in the blank to “the coolest thing about the Masters is” qualifies as an all-time softball question but here’s the thing: it made pros past and present who have played in the first major of the year stop and think and consider the world of possibilities. That’s pretty cool.
It’s such an open-ended question that it allowed players to go in a variety of directions and so the answers run the gamut. Steve Stricker said that now that he’s not been in the field the last few years he fully appreciates how great a week it is just to be a contestant, but best answer of this bunch has got to be Matt Kuchar, who summed it up pretty well when he said, “There’s nothing like making that turn on to Magnolia Lane. I get goose bumps every time. That turn down Magnolia Lane is like coming down the stairs as a kid at Christmas. You just know something awesome is around the corner.”
So are the rest of these answers below.
Billy Horschel
Coming back to the same spot every year. That and the Par-3 Contest, especially after you have kids, may be the best part about going back every year. It’s pretty special.
Brian Harman
You’re walking down the same fairways where Bobby Jones was trying to figure it out. It’s a historical place and just to be a part of that for me is so cool.
Cameron Young
Having a chance to win it.
Gary Player
The enthusiasm by the galleries and the fact that the tournament is played at the same venue every year. Augusta National knows how to make it better and better.
Rickie Fowler
I can’t pick one: Either the walk up 18, standing alone back on the 13th tee or the drive down Magnolia Lane.
Matt Kuchar
There’s nothing like making that turn on to Magnolia Lane. I get goose bumps every time. That turn down Magnolia Lane is like coming down the stairs as a kid at Christmas. You just know something awesome is around the corner.
Justin Thomas
The atmosphere.
Lucas Glover
Being in the field. It doesn’t get better than that.
Collin Morikawa
The dollar sandwiches, or however much it is.
Stewart Cink/Tony Finau
The golf course.
Gary Woodland
The tradition. Just the history of the place. You feel it driving down Magnolia Lane. There’s just nothing else like it.
Harris English
Driving down Magnolia Lane. There’s no better entrance to a golf course.
Jason Day
Being in contention.
Keegan Bradley
The par-3 tournament with my family and getting to see my kids in the white jumpsuit.
Kevin Kisner
The small field makes it so special.
Matt Fitzpatrick
The par-3 tournament.
Nick Price
The entire atmosphere is fantastic but if you had to single one thing out I’d say the way it is manicured to the nth degree. You never see another golf course like it.
Padraig Harrington
I should say the Par 3 Contest because I’ve won it twice. It’s not the history but the lore of it, the tradition of it. Every time you go to the Masters you relive every Masters that’s gone before.
Steve Stricker
Just being in the field. When you’re not there, you wish you were there just to experience the whole week.
Will Zalatoris
The history.