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CommentBlack Knight's warning
Gary Player, who has re-assessed Augusta National to a personal par 80 and opened with a round of three over to finish rank last, is turning into a prophet of doom. Asked about the future of golf he said the end was nigh because of ever longer golf courses.
"Water is a rarity," ranted the three-time Masters champion, referring to the US and not Scotland. "You've got to pay a lot of money for water and there's going to be no water.
"We're running out of it. That is a fact, not a maybe. Places like California and Arizona are not going to have water. Florida is already on water rations and that's a water state. You're going to have to do a lot of thinking."
Meanwhile, the Black Knight has no intention of stopping playing in the Masters, even though he will be 74 next year. One thing that is not running out is his desire to use his lifetime exemption to create records as he has just done by playing in his 51st Masters. His 10th missed cut in a row yesterday must also be right up there.
In that spirit it was into the Augusta National clubhouse for waiter-service breakfast on the verandah looking down on the ordinary people below as the eggs arrived with sides of bacon, hash browns and toast all washed down with an endless supply of fine coffee. This, indeed, is how the other half live.
Suitably replete, it was a case of back down the spiral stairway and stepping aside as the chosen one, Tiger Woods, arrived at the front door. Even a millionaire knows his place.
Sabbatini's wife Amy tracked down the victim and promised a souvenir would be sent. Unless there is a dramatic upturn in form, Dr Daya Gupta of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is unlikely to be receiving a green jacket.
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