SUPER STAR DJ

For the big man it was a dream. For the slightly mad scientist it was a dizzy nightmare. For the Irishman it was another frustration. Masters 2020 was a golf week like no other. This includes the 83 Augusta gigs that preceded this Covid-caressed version. No fans, no explosions of noise, no huge adrenalin rush. Just a beautiful exam paper that required thoughtful, patient study and an ability to stay in the moment over four long, vaguely chaotic days.

The early deluge that delayed the first round for a crucial three-and-a-half hours meant we never quite knew what was going on, each subsequent round divided into two frustrating parts until we got to Saturday evening. It meant the usual coherent narrative was missing. In its place we had a tournament stuffed with ifs, buts and maybes until finally order was restored for the final round. What we knew by that Saturday night was that the best, most in-form player of the year had a four-shot lead. Dustin Johnson, as laconic and slow-moving as he is committed and talented when it comes to the old game, was in charge and that is how it stayed.

There were