Rahm treads water as old Master Olazabal enjoys Augusta anniversary

They love a big dollop of nostalgia at Augusta National, don’t they? If you’re not taking a reflective amble up Magnolia Lane, then you’re wandering down memory lane. Even the pimento cheese sandwiches come with a light garnish of sepia.

Timeless traditions, yearnings for yesteryear, saccharine sentimentality? You name it, Augusta does it.

By the time Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson take to the first tee to perform their honorary starting duties on the opening Thursday, the outpourings of teary-eyed reverence could just about lead to flooding in Rae’s Creek.

This neck of the golfing woods has always provided a comforting haven for the champions of yore. What was it Fuzzy Zoeller suggested? “There sure are a lot of old farts that play here,” said the 1979 Masters winner, long before he too became a member of the legion of auld what-do-you-call-thems.

In this game for all the ages, of course, the advancing years have never been a barrier to accomplishment.

While decorated 20 and 30-somethings like Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Brian Harman all missed the cut after a second round of raging winds and endless calamity on Friday, the presence of 58-year-old Jose Maria Olazabal and 61-year-old Vijay Singh in yesterday’s third round was a sturdy strike of spirited defiance from the golden oldies.

For Olazabal, it’s been a week of various anniversaries at a tournament that has defined his glory-laden career.

Forty years ago in 1984, he earned his first invitation to the Masters after beating Colin Montgomerie 5&4 in the final of the Amateur Championship at Formby.

Thirty years ago, in 1994, he won his first green jacket. And 25 years ago, having overcome a crippling foot injury, he added another of golf’s most cherished blazers to his wardrobe when he conquered Augusta again in 1999.

Given the brutal, unforgiving conditions of Friday – only eight players managed an under-par round - Olazabal, who parred his final 11 holes in a three-over 75 in Saturday’s third round, was rightly proud of his efforts. He actually thought he was going to miss the halfway cut.

“I leave the grounds with head held high,” he said in the immediate aftermath of his Friday fight before the cut mark creeped up and he made it through.

“I know that the chances are very slim for us to make the cut playing in these conditions and especially with these young players that hit the ball so far,” added the 2012 European Ryder Cup skipper.

“When I came here early in the week, I would never have imagined that I would be able to play the level of golf I played.”

Skill, patience, nerve, resilience? Olazabal displayed it all. The Masters can often bring it out of these past masters.

For Jon Rahm, almost 30 years younger than compatriot Olazabal, it’s not been the happiest return to Augusta. The defending champion, who is now a member of the LIV Golf rebellion, has always maintained that his competitive edge has not been blunted by his outrageously lucrative switch to the Saudi-backed series.

He remains among the also-rans at the Masters, however, after a third round 72 left him treading water at five-over. One canny golf writing observer suggested his green jacket had been replaced by a strait-jacket as the maddening Masters examination drove Rahm round the twist  It’s a fickle old game.

Only three players - Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods - have claimed back-to-back Masters wins but Rahm’s defence hasn’t got going this week.

The Spaniard, who had moaned that conditions on Friday were almost unplayable, may be adamant that his move to LIV hasn’t had an impact on his competitive zeal but withering observations from others continue to fly around.

“He’s been playing resort courses right now in shorts for the last couple of months,” said the former Masters champion Nick Faldo during his TV commentary as he added to the general feeling that Rahm has been too lightly-raced on the LIV circus. “He hasn’t really been tested.”

Augusta has provided a real test this week and Rahm has struggled to meet its rigorous demands. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, posted a one-under 71 on day three for a three-over total but his latest bid to complete the career grand slam will end in futility. “But I’ll give it a go,” he said of his aim to produce a grandstand finish.

Tiger Woods, who achieved another Augusta record by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time, endured a turbulent outward half on day three as he trudged to the turn in 42. Two double-bogeys at seven and eight were followed by a bogey on the ninth as the five-time champion found the going tough.

The Masters was never meant to be easy, though.