San Francisco Frontiers - Top players seek calm in final preparations on eve of Masters

An elite field of 89 players, including 20 first-time Masters starters, made final preparations at Augusta National for the year's first major test.

"I feel like I've already got most of my prep work done," second-ranked McIlroy said. "It's just about going out there and being relaxed and being in the right frame of mind. And the more I can do that, the more I'll be able to execute on the golf course."

Third-ranked defending champion Rahm was enjoying good reviews for his Spanish-themed menu at Tuesday's Champions Dinner, where past Masters winners gathered to share tales and good food.

"It's essentially just a bunch of normal men. It was really fun," Rahm said, noting of his speech, "I was so nervous I think I blacked out for a second."

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley called Rahm's Champions Dinner, "One of the most magical nights I've ever been involved in in golf, listening to these great champions talk about what the Masters means to them."

Rahm, also the 2021 US Open winner, was a starstruck fan as he enjoyed legends sharing tales of his idol, the late Seve Ballesteros, on what would have been Seve's 67th birthday and what was the one-year anniversary of Rahm's Masters triumph.

"That was pretty incredible. That's something I'm going to cherish and look forward to next year," Rahm said. "I don't think anything I've experienced in golf comes close, maybe the Claret Jug (would), but I don't think anything compares to what I experienced in that room."

Rahm is among 13 players from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League in the Masters field, having jumped from the PGA Tour last December.

Hoping to earn his own invitation to next year's Champions Dinner is McIlroy, a four-time major winner who would complete a career grand slam with a Masters triumph.

The 34-year-old from Northern Ireland will make his 10th attempt to join a select group that includes Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player and Ben Hogan.

"If I cast my mind back to 18-year-old Rory and I'm driving down Magnolia Lane for the first time, how would I feel and I think, it's just always trying to go back to being grateful and feeling incredibly lucky that you can be a part of this tournament," McIlroy said.

"Thankfully, I've improved a bit since my first start here and I feel like I've got all the tools to do well this week.

"But to bring those tools out, I think one of the most important things is to enjoy it and smell the -- I guess not the roses -- the azaleas along the way."

- Being calm important -

The flower-laden course, built on the grounds of a former nursery, creates a surrounding unlike any other.

"The whole atmosphere of the tournament is very special in preparing for the Masters," said 13th-ranked Tommy Fleetwood of England.

"Preparation is very important. Being prepared will give you a huge element of calmness. That's very important going into the Masters.

"Your routines can be the same but the course demands a lot out of you. It's the Masters, the first major of the year. It's not like any other tournament."

Fleetwood, a seven-time DP World Tour champion, won most recently at January's Dubai Invitational. He has six top-five major finishes, including runner-up efforts at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Open Championship, but his best Masters result was a share of 14th in 2022.

American Gary Woodland, the 2019 US Open champion, relaxed with his family in the Par-3 Contest, letting his six-year-old son Jax make the final putt for him.

"We're preparing for a big week, but to come out here the day before and let your hair down a little bit, have fun with the family, that's what it's all about," Woodland said.

"We all know what's at stake starting tomorrow. Tonight is a nice day to spend with your family."

E.Walker--SFF