AUGUSTA, Ga. – Charl Schwartzel birdied the last four holes at Augusta National to break out of a gridlock race and win the Masters. This was an exercise in calmness and control, in talent and execution, and in the peace and quiet of azaleas and pines. Well, when the galleries weren’t thundering. That’s the golf translation. To put this into context of a broader human experience, it was the equivalent of climbing Everest one-handed, of lapping the field on the final lap at Indy... Read more

AUGUSTA, Ga. – One hopes Graeme McDowell fired off another text message to Rory McIlroy this time, too. The guy could do with a little love. It will be remembered that on taking a four-shot lead through the third round Saturday in this Masters, McIlroy got a text from McDowell, a fellow Northern Irishman. “He told me he loves me,” McIlroy said. “I don’t know if that’s him or the beer talking.” By Sunday afternoon, McIlroy was in serious need of love... Read more

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Jack Nicklaus is an interview at any time, but especially on the 25th anniversary of his winning his sixth and last Masters at the age of 46, that in 1986. Remember? He was using an elephant-killer of a putter, something that looked like half a loaf stuck on a stick, and which, of course, then backed up sale orders for the thing until that July. Anyway, Nicklaus had finished his welcome-back interview, and the scrum immediately formed in front of the low stage in Augusta... Read more