Quick Nine with Jim McGovern - Masters Edition
Although the 2020 Masters Tournament has been moved to November, golf fans have been enjoying the Masters Rewind coverage of some of the best final rounds, highlights, photos and more player interviews over the last week. With Augusta National on the mind, we caught up with two-time Masters competitor Jim McGovern, longtime head professional at White Beeches Golf and Country Club. McGovern competed on the PGA TOUR from 1991-1998, and his win at the 1993 Shell Houston Open earned him an invitation to the 1994 Masters, where he recorded a T5 finish, his best finish in a Major. Prior to his time on TOUR, McGovern won the 1987 Met Open at Winged Foot as an amateur and the 1988 Met Amateur at Plainfield; in 2016 he captured the MGA Senior Open Championship at Brooklawn.
McGovern shared some of his best memories from the 1994 Masters.
MGA: Receiving an invitation to the Masters is something that all golfers dream of. What was it like when you knew you would be playing in your first Masters?
JM: I remember I had a whole year to prepare for it because the Houston Open was in May during that time when I won [in 1993]. It was nice knowing I had that coming in my future. The best of it also was that I exempt into the British Open later that year at Turnberry, too
MGA: Before heading to Augusta, did you receive any advice about the course, or have a particular approach to playing that week?
JM: I didn’t ask around that much for advice. I went into the week normally as if I was preparing for any other event during the year. I think that helped me throughout the whole time.
MGA: What was the Par 3 Contest like?
JM: I remember playing with Miguel Angel Jimenez. There wasn’t much talking in the group besides us "bueno" to each other, but I remember when you stepped up to the tee, there were fans about 25 feet away from the greens. If you hit someone, they were getting plugged. It was amazing how many people they could fit there.
MGA: It’s impressive for any player, in their first Masters, to make the cut and play the weekend. You entered the final round four shots back of third round leader Tom Lehman and you were paired with Ian Baker-Finch. What was that final round like?
JM: I doubled No. 3, birdied the 5th and then tripled the 6th. Every shot was nerve wracking. I made five birdies after that [on holes 8, 9, 11, 13, and 16]. I remember I stuck it close with a six iron on No. 11 to make a birdie and just hearing the roars. The acoustics of the course, everything was spectacular.
MGA: You finished tied for fifth with Jay Haas and Loren Roberts. What did you take away from that week and your performance?
JM: That week was bigger than any win I’ve ever had. To finish top-five at Augusta...it’s one of the most memorable weeks I’ve ever had.
MGA: You played again in 1995, did you take a different approach for your return trip?
JM: I didn’t find out until the Sunday evening before that week that I was going to go back. My family and I rented two houses that week and we had everyone there. I remember them saying, ‘I can’t believe you finished top-five at Augusta.’ At that time, I felt like my career was just beginning, but I was only able to play it twice. But it was two memories that I’ll never forget.
MGA: If you had to describe Augusta National in only a few words, what would you say?
JM: It’s the greatest place on earth. It’s so incredible. You have a different perspective as a player and as a fan. I’m fortunate to have had both.
MGA: Have you been back to Augusta as a “patron”?
JM: I went back in the mid-2000s to do radio, and I went to take a walk around the course and saw that all of the tees had been changed. Every single trip back was incredible.
MGA: Since the Masters is re-airing some of its old events, what year is your favorite to watch?
JM: I haven’t watched that much of it this week. I’ve watched the 1986 Masters so many times even before I played in it. I’ve seen a little bit this week, including Adam Scott’s win, the 1997 Masters, but whenever I watch any highlights today, I can tell which hole anyone is on right off the bat from playing it and doing the radio for those years. I know this week typically feels like it’s a kick-off to the season, especially in the Northeast, but hopefully we will get through this safely and be able to play again soon.
McGovern's 1994 Masters scorecard recorded rounds of 72-70-71-72 for a 285 total, six shots back from winner Jose Maria Olazabal. That year he recorded a T13 finish at the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Two decades later, he qualified for the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, and the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Senior Opens, at Salem Country Club and Broadmoor Golf Club.