THE MASTERS

Birdie: Augusta National. After this phenomenal performance, Augusta National deserved its very own green jacket. Major winners such as Nick Faldo, Johnny Miller and Davis Love III criticized Masters officials for lengthening and toughening the course. The thrill is gone, they said. Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne admitted his feelings were hurt, comparing it to someone criticizing your granddaughter after a piano recital. The nation’s No. 1 course, according to the most recent Golf Digest rankings, played nothing but sweet music Sunday. It allowed Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods to charge up the leaderboard. And it was devilish enough to trigger huge errors from both golfing gods. Payne had said the weather, not the new layout, was to blame for the dearth of roars over the last two years. The sun shone all week. But it was no brighter than the course. “The golf course was perfect,” Kenny Perry said.

Birdie: Angel Cabrera’s pace. If every Joe Golfer copied Cabrera, you might be able to play nine holes on a lunch break. Unfortunately, Cabrera is outnumbered by the likes of Sean O’Hair, who finds comfort in taking a dozen practice swings, and Jim Furyk, who has a long putting routine. And he goes through it twice.

Bogey: Sergio Garcia. It was another invisible Masters for one of the game’s great ball strikers. Garcia tied for 38th and is 0 for 41 in majors.

Birdie: Todd Hamilton. After rinsing his tee shot into Rae’s Creek, he dropped at 67 yards, then hit a wedge that spun back about 40 feet into the hole for an incredible par. Hamilton ran across the Hogan Bridge as if he couldn’t believe his ball had really found the cup.

Bogey: CBS’ Peter Kostis. He’s obsessed with body language. Kostis seems to believe that a player’s slumped shoulders are a window into his soul.

Birdie: CBS’ Nick Faldo. Quick and clever all day. When Jim Nantz asked Faldo about Woods’ options on his third shot at 18, Faldo shot back: “Zero. None. Hole it.”

Birdie: Rory Sabbatini’s outfit. He was head to toe in purple. Or perhaps it was lavender.

-- Teddy Greenstein