April 11--Ben Crenshaw seemed as credible a source as any. The 63-year-old Masters legend had just finished his final round of competition at Augusta National on Friday evening, walking away from a tournament he had played 44 times. And so it seemed only fitting to prod Crenshaw for his weekend forecast.
Crenshaw is not only the owners of two green jackets and an 11-time top 10 finisher in golf's most revered tournament, he's been a respected mentor to this year's tournament leader, Jordan Spieth, a smooth and self-assured 21-year-old whose record two-day total of 14-under par 130 leaves him with a five shot cushion heading for the weekend.
Crenshaw knows what it takes to win here -- the patience and poise, the clutch shot making, the ability to control the mind even as the ghosts and aura and history of the Masters elevate the pressure.
"I think most everybody knows, Jordan is capable, entirely capable (of winning)," Crenshaw said. "It's (about) keeping his emotions in check. He's obviously in a real hot streak. Very confident, very bold. ... He's a great scorer. God, can he score. But he can't get ahead of himself this week."
Crenshaw also knows the kind of kid Spieth is -- polite, mature beyond his years and yet possessing a cold-blooded focus to not let anything stand in the way of his mission. When he first met Spieth, Crenshaw said, it was like shaking his hands with Wyatt Earp.
"He looks at you like he's going to gun you down," Crenshaw noted, adding later, "I really do like Jordan's fire. You can see it bubble up."
And so that sets a compelling stage for Saturday afternoon's showdown at Augusta with Spieth locked in for his attempt to add to his big lead even with a throng of worthy competitors giving chase. Tiger Woods' tournament record of 18 under from 1997 when he, too, was 21 years old, seems to be in jeopardy.
Spieth will hit the first tee at 2:55 p.m. EDT Saturday with Charley Hoffman as his final pairing partner. Hoffman's rounds of 67 and 68 the past two days put him alone in second at 9 under par. Two strokes back of that is the trio of Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Paul Casey. Phil Mickelson opens the day at 6 under and Ernie Els sits at minus-5.
They were all curious to see how the course would be set-up Saturday, where the pins would be placed and whether the unusually soft and slow greens would become a bit more treacherous.
"I think for us to catch (Jordan)," Mickelson said, "we're going to have to get a little fire on the golf course. "
Els, who stated confidently that he believed he had two 67s left in him for the weekend, also hinted at the grasp for hope that players were feeling as they chased after Spieth.
"It depends on the weather," Els said. "Things can get different. The nerves can get going. And I don't wish anything bad on (Jordan). But if he takes his foot off the gas, it gives you a bit of hope toward catching him."
