(ATR) Masters Chairman and Atlanta 1996 president Billy Payne gives high marks to the Rio 2016 Olympic golf tournament, asked for his opinion of the sport’s return to the Games last summer.
Payne’s compliments came during his annual State of the Masters news conference on Wednesday at Augusta National Golf Club. The world’s elite golfers teed off on Thursday morning to begin the prestigious Masters Tournament.
"I watched virtually every minute of Olympic golf on television and I thought it was fantastic," Payne said, addressing reporters at Augusta National’s opulent new media center. "I thought the players had a great time.
"I talked to both Rickie [Fowler] and Kuch [Matt Kuchar] and it exceeded their expectations," he said.
Payne said he spoke to the U.S. golfers prior to the Rio tournament as they were deciding whether to play, advising that while they have represented their countries previously, this will be "totally different."
"You need to experience this – it’s a one of a kind experience," Payne said he told the golfers.
"I was so delighted that they chose to go," Payne said, making a subtle reference to the numerous top professionals who opted not to compete in the Olympic tournament.
Payne commended Rio 2016 golf organizers for their successful execution of the Olympic tournament as the sport returned to the Games for the first time in 112 years.
"I think they did a good job – it far exceeded the expectations that most people had," said the 69-year-old Masters Chairman.
Payne was also asked if Atlanta should make another run at hosting the Summer Games so that Olympic golf could be played on the hallowed fairways and greens of Augusta National.
"I have a lot of leeway on this answer since I surely won’t be chairman then, should that happen," Payne joked.
"We are building sports facilities at a rapid rate and we certainly haven’t lost our capability of doing it, so I remain enthusiastic about the Games coming back to the United States," Payne said. "We have a candidate now that I’m very excited about in Los Angeles, so we’ll see what happens."
Rio 2016 Olympic medalists Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar are all among the 2017 Masters field, each seeking their first coveted green jacket.
Payne delivered an emotional and poignant tribute to Arnold Palmer, the four-time Masters Champion who died in September, prior to fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hitting honorary tee-shots to open the 2017 tournament.
Written by Brian Pinelli
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