BY DOUG FERGUSON AP GOLF WRITERNOVEMBER 08, 2020 11:14 AM
The roars were endless Sunday at the Masters, coming from everywhere for just about everyone.
One moment stood out in 2011.
From below the rise of the fairway on the par-5 eighth hole, it sounded like a sonic boom. That was an eagle cheer coming from the green, no doubt. But for whom?
“Tiger Woods just came through,” a marshal said, and thus ended the mystery.
But it didn’t end there.
Woods, who started that final round seven shots out of the lead, now was tied for the lead. Moments later, as Woods headed to the ninth tee, another cheer rang out from the 18th green. And then, another one down by Amen Corner. And then a third cheer in the direction of the 15th green.
More birdies? Eagles? No, it was the crowd scattered across the golf course responding to seeing scoreboards change as Woods moved into a tie for the lead. He couldn’t keep it going. That was the year eight players had at least a share of the lead at some point on the back nine until Charl Schwartzel finished with four straight birdies.
An incredible day. Amazing atmosphere.
And now, silence.
This Masters in November will be missing the patrons because of the COVID-19 pandemic and missing the very essence of what makes Augusta National so magical.