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When word reached him that Stranahan had played two balls to several greens the world's best amateur golfer was ordered

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When word reached him that Stranahan had played two balls to several greens, the world's best amateur golfer was ordered from the course, his invitation to play in the tournament withdrawn.Roberts dealt even more harshly with Robert Townsend, chairman of the Avis car rental company. When Townsend proudly mentioned his membership of Augusta in a cover interview in Time magazine, Roberts phoned him and told him that he would accept his resignation with immediate effect. Augusta members were expected not to boast about their privilege. Still, martinet though he may have been, Roberts' enduring legacy is the best-run golf tournament in the world. The clich?f choice is that it is run like a military operation. In fact, if you think of the number of Afghan civilians killed by American missiles, it is run with rather more precision.On which subject, when General, and later President, Eisenhower attended a club meeting after recovering from a heart attack, Roberts magnanimously said: "Mr President, we are so pleased to have you back that we will make any change to the golf course you wish, in your honour." Eisenhower's drives from the 17th tee always seemed to land behind an oak to the left of the fairway "Cut down that tree on 17," he said. Roberts flatly refused.It is rumoured, incidentally, that Roberts is buried somewhere on the course.

I wonder whether he is spinning in indignation at Fazio's changes? My guess is that he approves.b.viner independent.co.uk. Retief Goosen gave a timely reminder that South Africa has two of the hottest golfers of the moment by winning the BellSouth Classic at the TPC at Sugarloaf. Ernie Els may be going in to this week's Masters having won three times this season but Goosen, the reigning US Open champion, can now match that and is earning himself a reputation for playing his best in the toughest conditions."Retief is much better player since he won the US Open," Colin Montgomerie said. "He is much more confident." In January Goosen won the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth by eight strokes when the conditions were hard and fast. In similar conditions here, the South African won by four from Jesper Parnevik, with Phil Mickelson a further shot back. It is highly pertinent that Augusta National also has fast undulating greens "This should be the perfect warm up," Parnevik said. "These were the conditions we usually get at Augusta." Some rain is forecast for the start of Masters week but the Augusta officials probably have enough clout to do something about that.Goosen, who also won in South Africa earlier this year, said: "I love these greens and I was lucky to hole some good putts again today.

That was the key." He became only third overseas player to win this tournament in its 34-year history.Beginning the day with a two-stroke lead over Mickelson, the South African got off to a terrible start. He bogeyed at the first and then had a double bogey at the par-three second. He was then two behind Mickelson, who had birdied the first, but when the left-hander bogeyed the par-five fourth, Goosen chipped in for an eagle to retake the lead. Goosen birdied the sixth and the 12th to move briefly four ahead and, although Parnevik set the clubhouse target at 12 under, another birdie at the 16th maintained a comfortable cushion. A 70 left him at 16 under par, while Mickelson had a 73.Parnevik came home in 31 for a seven-under round of 65 with an eagle at the last.

Parnevik had 253 yards to the hole but the second shot plays severely down the hill with water in front of the green. At first Parnevik thought about hitting a four-iron, then a three-iron and finally settled on a five-wood.He hit it safely on to the green ­ one of only a handful to hold on the putting surface in two ­ and then holed an eagle putt from 50 feet. "My iron game has been good for a while but I was driving like Olazabal used to," Parnevik said after improving on his third round 76 by 11 strokes "I was in places off the tee I couldn't believe. But last night I found something on the range and managed to draw the ball again."While Padraig Harrington hung on after a bad start to finish tied for eighth, Montgomerie closed with a 74 and Lee Westwood a 76 but both were pleased with having the opportunity to get in the groove of playing in such conditions. Montgomerie, who had a triple-bogey seven at the third, played the last 15 in two under.

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