Filed under: Golf, Chelsea, Manchester United, Masters
The first major of the year is always a big event. We have seen a steady build up over the past few months as players try to generate momentum coming into Masters's week.Twitter has been alight with the professionals' comments about how much they are looking forward to playing at Augusta National.
One key part of that build-up is the friendly Par Three Contest on the Wednesday before the tournament starts.
In recent years, this event has become popular with the patrons and almost as much a formality as the champions' dinner.
Yet this year there is something stopping Graeme McDowell's involvement. It's not a niggling injury but an event happening far away from Augusta in London. More specifically, it is at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea face Manchester United in the quarter-final first-leg of the Champions League.
McDowell is a United fan and the timing of the Par Three Contest means he would miss the crucial football fixture.
He told a media briefing: "I'm going to give the Par Three Contest a miss this year. I wasn't able to get an early enough tee time and a pretty big football game is on TV that I want to watch.
"I would love to [play in it], but first and foremost, my preparation is key. I want to have a good practice session and play a really good back nine holes. I then want to put my feet up and watch the match and get ready for Thursday.
"Unfortunately the Par Three does not fit my schedule this time around. I'm disappointed, but hopefully there will by more Masters Tournaments.
"Besides, United don't get to play Chelsea too often in the Champions League, so it will be a lot of fun."
McDowell is, of course, not obliged to play in the mini tournament - where he hit a hole in one last year.
Many players skip it for different reasons, yet it is possible that his explanation may not be totally embraced by the American public who fail to see the significance of the football fixture.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/06/masters-par-three-contest-graeme-mcdowell-man-united/
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