AUGUSTA, Ga. — Billy Payne was all smiles during his annual press conference yesterday, happy to have "the ladies issue" resolved by the admission of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore as the newest members of Augusta National.
"It's just awesome," proclaimed Payne, the club's chairman.
Yet, a new controversy could become another touchy subject for Payne and Augusta National should Keegan Bradley win the 2013 Masters, which begins today.
The Masters is the only major championship that hasn't been won by someone using a long-shafted anchored putting stroke. Moreover, three of the past five majors have been won by players using that putting style. Bradley won the 2011 PGA Championship while Webb Simpson claimed the 2012 U.S. Open and Ernie Els captured 2012 British Open.
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Keegan Bradley
The U.S. Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club have issued a proposal to ban anchoring beginning Jan. 1, 2016. The PGA Tour and the PGA of America are against the proposal. Payne, who yesterday proudly described Augusta National as a "beacon in the world of golf," was expected to give his position on the issue yesterday. Instead, he side-stepped the controversy the way he once dodged discussion of female exclusion from Augusta National.
He said because no definitive decision has been made by the ruling bodies, "I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion other than to say that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."
The issue is sure to generate more discussion should Bradley or someone else using an anchored putter win the Masters. Bradley initially said he was "interested" to hear how Augusta National stood on the issue. But if Payne isn't going to worry about it right now, neither is Bradley.
"I'm going to try and let the USGA, the Masters, the PGA of America handle it," the St. John's alum said yesterday. "I'm trying to stay out of it as much as I can because I'm only one person. I know they're trying to do what's best for the game. I'm going to allow them to make the decisions. Maybe within the next couple of weeks we'll hear what they have to say."
The next couple of weeks could be influenced by a Bradley victory this weekend. Though Tiger Woods is a heavy favorite to win his fifth Green Jacket and two-time major champion Rory McIlroy is gunning for his first, Bradley figures to be a strong contender given his length, his ability to make clutch shots and his fearlessness.
Bradley finished tied for 27th in his first Masters a year ago, after a 77 in the second round ruined his chances to win. He has played the course six times since and said he feels confident he is ready to contend.
"I can focus more on getting myself ready to win the tournament," said Bradley, whose best finish this year was a tie for third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. "I know what to expect. I know what the week's going to bring."
If the week brings a match-up with Woods on Sunday, Bradley wouldn't mind.
"I want Tiger at his best," he said. "I want to be out there. I want to play against him when he's playing his best golf, and he's playing his best golf right now."
Bradley, 26, is one of golf's rising stars. His game could be impacted if the long-putter is banned. That is why the PGA Tour and PGA of America are opposed to any restrictions. Many of their best players like Adam Scott and Simpson are using anchored putters.
As a private tournament, the Masters could allow anchored putters even if they are banned by the USGA and R&A. But that would put the tournament in conflict with the governing bodies that establish the rules of golf. Clearly, Payne isn't ready to go there yet, but a Bradley victory could force him to take a stand.
george.willis@nypost.com
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