ESPN Golf

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It's a "tradition unlike any other." You'll be told that over and over again this weekend as you strap yourself in front of the television, watching the 2004 Masters unfold. But watching The Masters on TV and actually getting to experience it in person are two entirely different things.

Truth be told, those of you at home will have a much better feel for the tournament -- who's playing well and who's not -- than I will, mainly because I refuse to come to Augusta and sit in the press room watching TV monitors and scoreboards. Well, it's not so much that I refuse, just that The Mag is kind enough to let me roam. For those who've never had the chance to walk through the gates of Augusta National Golf Club, here are a few sights, sounds and thoughts from just outside the ropes on Friday.

Far be it from me to play psychologist, but Phil Mickelson seemed to be -- as Happy Gilmore used to say -- in his "happy place" all day on Saturday. He was smiling from the beginning of the round until the end, when he ran in a 10-foot putt to save par on 18. Mickelson was flipping golf balls to kids in the crowd, responding to anyone who'd say, "Go Phil!" or "Sun Devils, baby!" Guess we'll see on Sunday if Phil can stay happy for 18 more holes and garner that major everyone here wants him to win.

There was one moment where it appeared the Phil Train might get derailed, and it had nothing to do with Mickelson. When Ernie Els hooked his drive into the woods on the 11th hole, he took forever waiting for a ruling on whether he could remove some brush that surrounded his ball. Mickelson laid out a towel on the 11th tee box and sat down, did a few stretching exercises, and waited. Mickelson went on to par the hole on the way to his bogey-free round.

Mickelson will be paired in the final round with Chris DiMarco ... and to be honest, I did not watch DiMarco hit a single shot on Saturday. The last time I saw DiMarco play was on television with my seven-year old son, who insisted on trying that claw grip on his putter the next time we went to the course together. Guess I'll watch Chris again tomorrow. Hopefully, my son will have something better to do.

At the conclusion of his three-over-par round, yesterday, Tiger Woods spoke about just how close he was so many times. "I was missing the nob by a yard time and time again," Woods said. "And little things add up. That and you have to putt well, and I didn't make anything." Woods' final hole typified his day. He hit a perfect drive, a perfect approach, and left himself about 11 feet downhill for birdie. His putt looked perfect until the final inch, then rimmed out. Woods, a fantastic front-runner at Augusta, now looks to come from behind -- nine strokes behind. "When I have been out in front, I always felt there was danger out there on this course. If I can get myself to even (overall) on the front, then get hot on the back, I still could have a chance." Sometimes, Tiger comes off as a bit of an excuse-maker when he talks about his near-misses, but watching Mickelson all day, I'll tell you, the guy got some great bounces. As Tiger also says, "That's golf."

Normally, I'd be of the opinion that anyone who wears a bucket hat should immediately be DQ'd from the Masters. But in the case of Kirk Triplett, I make an exception. Triplett, who enters the final round at two-under, is known mostly for the awful hats he wears. But Triplett once let ESPN The Magazine senior writer Tim Keown caddy for him, so we have no choice but to pull for KT tomorrow. Seriously, Kirk, it "looks good on you."

It was hot out there today, so I'll admit I came into the press room for a cold drink and a sandwich. Let me tell you about this place where the writers and broadcasters hang out. It's an amphitheater that seats roughly 700 people. On one wall you've got nine television monitors that keep you up to date on all the action on the back nine. On another wall, there's a large screen TV that shows the CBS telecast. You've got an electronic leaderboard and a hand-operated board that shows every players' hole-by-hole score. If you're blind like me, there is also one laptop every five seats or so that is equipped with every stat known to golf. Oh, yeah, the place is also hooked up to wireless internet, so (another confession) I've also been coming in periodically to check on the Red Sox. Oh, and before I forget, there's enough food to keep 700 John Daly-type appetites satisfied.

Tough to formulate a game plan for watching the final round. Where do I situate myself to catch the most meaningful action? Today, I purchased this little, green folding chair, so I can almost be in two places at once. There's a code of etiquette here among fans that you can pick out a nice spot for your seat, usually greenside, and if you get up and leave, you still own that position. Strategy will be key here.

Jeff Bradley is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.