By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
No other major championship has a greater collection of signature shots than the Masters, mainly because it's the only major held on the same course. And it helps that Augusta National is such a course that allows for such big moments.
It's small consolation, but hardcore Tiger Woods fans who can't make it to the Masters for Thursday's opening round can at least take the morning off.
A look at some of the anniversaries this year at the 77th Masters, to be played April 11-14 at Augusta National Golf Club:
Corey Pavin never thought it would take him more than two seasons to get his first victory on the Champions Tour at last year's Allianz Championship.
His final drive tumbled into the water, and he made a double bogey that left him a stroke off the tour record for the first two rounds of a tournament set by Pat Perez in the 2009 Bob Hope Classic and matched by David Toms at Colonial in 2011.
The 42-year-old former Arizona State star has led after each round, opening with a 60 and shooting a 65 on Friday. He fell a stroke short of the tour record for the first 54 holes, and matched the tournament mark set by Mark Calcavecchia in 2001.
Phil Mickelson missed out on a 59 by a fraction of an inch Thursday in the first round of the Phoenix Open.
Mickelson had a chance to become the sixth player in PGA Tour history to break 60 with a 25-foot birdie attempt on his last hole, the par-4 ninth at TPC Scottsdale. The putt looked good all the way, and Mickelson pointed his putter at the cup as he prepared to celebrate.
Bo Van Pelt missed a chance for a 59 on Saturday when he closed with a double bogey in the third round of the CIMB Classic.
Robert Garrigus shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Jbe' Kruger, the South African who upstaged Tiger Woods in their second-round pairing at the CIMB Classic.
Fred Couples is sidelined by a back injury, leaving Mark Calcavecchia as the top returning finisher in the Champions Tour's AT&T Championship.
After winning the Senior British Open, Fred Couples took a break to the point of not hitting a putt for three weeks.
No cheer that sounded like the clap of thunder. No need to raise both arms or pump the fist in celebration.
Pete Dye won't forget the gushing praise he heard from just about everyone about his new creation, The Ocean Course, as the world's best players got ready for the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island in weather that was perfect for golf.
Tom Watson unveiled a plaque to commemorate his famous Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus 35 years ago upon his return Wednesday to Turnberry on the eve of the Senior British Open.
"Last year I played about as good as I could," Calcavecchia said Thursday, "and lost by seven."
"Not to mention it hurt," Calcavecchia said. "And it still hurts. I can't hit 10 or 15 balls on the range. But I take a couple of pain-killers before I play, and once I get out on the course I forget about it."
