When Jordan Spieth parred the 71st hole of the 2015 Masters to maintain a four-shot lead, CBS commentator Ian Baker-Finch said, “I think they’ll be serving Texas barbecue at the champions dinner next year.”
As it turns out, Finch was right.
According to a GolfNewsNet article which cites Reuters, Spieth spoke Tuesday from the Bahamas ahead of the Hero World Challenge about his desire to serve Texas barbecue at the 2016 champions dinner.
“I’ve still got a bit of time before I have to advise the officials at Augusta National but I am leaning towards a Texas-like barbecue,” said Spieth, who is defending his title this week at the Hero World Challenge. “So it will be a choice of Texan meats as my meal choice.”
This would be a major step up from this year’s champions dinner, where Bubba Watson served mac and cheese, but it’s not the first time the state’s famous brisket delighted golfers in green; Ben Crenshaw, a fellow Texan and former Longhorn, served Texas barbecue at the 1996 Masters champions dinner.
How does Spieth’s choice stack up against other first-time winners’ menus? Well, Tiger Woods served cheeseburgers in 1998 but upgraded to steak and sushi after victories in 2001 and 2002. Phil Mickelson served lobster ravioli and caesar salad in 2005, then chose seafood paella and machango-topped filet mignon in 2011.
Will Spieth win another Masters? More importantly, what will he serve if he does?
courtesy of Brendan Mohler (golf.com)
SOUTHPORT, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 14: Nick Faldo of England pictured at a press conference prior to the 137th Open Championship on July 14, 2008 at Royal Birkdale Golf Course, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Nick Faldo thinks that Team USA might have a leg up when the Ryder Cup comes to Hazeltine in Minnesota next year.
Sir Nick told Reuters that the possibility of a fresh-faced European Team could put the defending champions at a bit of a disadvantage against the Americans.
“There is going to be a changing of the guard, a few of our guys are getting a little older,” Faldo said. “I think America could be the favorites this time because the backbone of their team will be similar to the last one. Europe’s backbone could be very different. We could easily have six rookies , easily.”The six-time major winner pointed to up-and-comers like Danny Willett and Andy Sullivan, both of whom have climbed within the top 40 in the world ranking this year and are strong contenders to make the European squad.
The Europeans have bested Team USA in seven of the last nine Ryder Cup matches. If the Americans want to reverse the tide, Faldo thinks they need to work on their pairings.
“The Americans have struggled with that recently,” Faldo said. “Their strongest pair has been Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley. Even that one gets broken up at the wrong time. They have got to find a couple of good pairings but the bottom line is they must find a way to win.”
courtesy of Marika Washchyshyn (golf.com)