New Ball Still in the Talking Stage

They’ve lengthened the golf course, changed tees, expanded bunkers and added trees, but as far as tinkering with the ball, there are no changes in the works at the Masters.

Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National and the tournament, said a Masters-only golf ball is a topic of discussion, but that’s the extent of the issue at the moment.

“We are not too far along with that,” he said. “It’s an option that we would not want to take off the table. We are hopeful that the governing bodies will do something about what most everyone in golf considers to be a serious problem.”

Johnson said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem is among those working on the golf ball issue, which is something that the U.S. Golf Assn. and the Royal and Ancient are also studying.

“It is a problem for the game, not just for Augusta National and the Masters tournament,” Johnson said. “We are encouraged that progress is being made.”

The Masters has no prototype ball, and Tiger Woods, for one, said he hoped that wouldn’t change. But he suggested reining in the technology of golf balls across the board.

“If they want to pull the golf balls back, that’s fine,” he said. “But everybody has different spin rates, different launch conditions and if you [have a uniform ball] I think it would be detrimental to a bunch of guys.

“Who do you go after? The guys who spin the ball a lot or the guys that don’t spin the ball a lot or the guys that launch the ball low or the guys that launch the ball high? Where do you go?”

Johnson also said the tournament is considering changing its policy so that winners of PGA Tour events qualify for invitations. In 2000, the Masters stopped inviting winners of PGA Tour events. If the Masters changes its policy, it won’t be for a couple of years.

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Few amateurs have arrived at Augusta National with more confidence and a better resume than 22-year-old Ryan Moore, who thinks he can win the tournament.

For starters, Moore owns the distinction of being the only player who has won the U.S. Amateur, Public Links and NCAA title in the same year.

Moore, who plays at Nevada Las Vegas, tied for 45th in his other Masters appearance, 2003.

Instead of laughing at the prospect of Moore winning this year’s tournament, Phil Mickelson said, “I think it’s realistic. Certainly the type of player that Ryan Moore is, I think he’s an exception.”

An amateur beating the likes of Woods, in the prime of his career, at the Masters: When has that happened?

Last year. Casey Wittenberg took low amateur honors with his tie for 13th place. Woods finished tied for 22nd.

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Heard around the clubhouse: Asked by writers how many years he intends to play at the Masters, three-time champion Gary Player answered, “One more than Arnold.”

Arnold Palmer played in his record 50th, and final, Masters last year.

Player, 68, is entered in his 48th Masters, meaning he’ll bow out after the 2008 tournament.

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The weather forecast in two words: Not good. There is a 70% chance of rain for today’s first round.

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Caddie, anyone? Russ Holden, the caddie for Bernhard Langer, is organizing a charity program called “Caddy For A Cure” to raise money to fight Fanconi anemia, which causes birth defects.

Holden’s program includes an on-line auction for bidders to caddie for such players as Langer, Stewart Cink, Tom Lehman and Fred Funk at the Heritage. Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Chad Campbell have also agreed to take part.

Holden became aware of fanconi anemia when he became friends with Chris Collins, who has two boys who have been afflicted. Details: www.caddyforacure.com.

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Singh says he has it all together and he thinks he has a good chance to win here, as he did in 2000.

“I don’t have any worries,” he said. “I’m enjoying my game right now. What can be better? I’m here at the Masters, [I’m] the best player in the world right now and ready to go win another one.”