Augusta, GA (Best E Casino) - Trevor Immelman's name was one of the first that came up in stories this week from the Masters.
When Ian Poulter aced the 16th hole on Thursday, it moved the Englishman into the lead. It was the first hole-in-one at the Masters since...Trevor Immelman in 2005.
Immelman then became a different focal point of stories on Thursday. He shared the first-round lead with Justin Rose, a friend from Lake Nona, at four-under par.
So far Friday afternoon, Immelman is THE story.
He posted another four-under 68 and is three shots clear of Steve Flesch and Brandt Snedeker. Sure Tiger Woods hasn't made a front-nine charge, but barring one of the best rounds in major championship history by the amazing Mr. Woods (always possible), Immelman will be ahead.
Names like Mickelson, Goosen, Singh, Furyk and Westwood lurk as well. But on Friday afternoon, a shortish South African, most known for his FedEx Cup commercial interviewing himself in front of a mirror about winning the year- long race, is the Masters leader.
"My mind-set is obviously that I'm thrilled with my play thus far, but there's a very long way to go and you know, I can't sit back and put my feet up," said Immelman. "I've got to go out there and just try and play as well as I can the next couple of days."
Immelman's road to Augusta National's leaderboard is not completely uncharted. The year of his ace, 2005, Immelman tied for fifth place. That marked his best finish at the Masters and at any major championship.
He is a winner on the PGA Tour, taking the 2006 Western Open. Immelman won by two strokes that week over Mathew Goggin and yes, Tiger Woods. Immelman has played on the last two International Presidents Cups teams and is 29th in the world.
Clearly, on the right week, Immelman is a major contender. Not many thought it would be this week. Or any time soon.
Immelman had stomach problems and could not quite seem to kick it. On a Thursday in mid-December, Immelman went in for an MRI and that night, his doctor said something had to be removed.
It was a tumor on his ribcage.
"I went in for the surgery only on a Tuesday because there was a public holiday weekend down in South Africa," said Immelman. "So we waited for that to be over. I waited on the Tuesday around mid-day, and two days later, we got the results after the surgery.
"I don't think I was really knowing what was going on at that point. They were pumping me so full of stuff just to try and get over the pain that I don't think it really mattered to me what the result was at that point."
The tumor was benign and Immelman certainly gained some perspective.
"I went from winning a tournament to lying in a hospital bed waiting for results on a tumor," said Immelman. "So definitely made me realize that golf wasn't my whole life."
It may not be his whole life, but for at least the rest of Friday, he is the whole story.
