Masters 2024: Spieth's un-millennial comment, Charlie Woods' bold move and 5 other superlatives from Tuesday's press conference gauntlet

AUGUSTA, Ga. — As is tradition, Tuesday is press conference day at the Masters. A total of nine players rolled through the interview room in the press building at Augusta National, among them defending champion Jon Rahm, five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

In other words, there were a lot of quotes to sift through at day's end. Phrases to parse, thoughts to spin zone, etc. etc. Below we picked out some of our favorites, superlatives style, from the presser gauntlet that was Tuesday at ANGC.

Most un-millennial comment from a millennial: Jordan Spieth

Even if you haven't even been to Augusta National, you likely know of the strict—and I mean, STRICT—no cell phone policy on the grounds. It makes for a very different environment that earns universal praise year after year from old heads and young heads alike. Jordan Spieth, firmly in the millennial camp at 30 years old, absolutely loves the policy, even if he's aware how important phones are for the growth of the sport.

"It's amazing," Spieth said. "But I also understand how advantageous cell phones are for the growth of our sport. So, it's nice for a week, but if it was every tournament, you know, we would — our growth would be limited.

"But what's really cool about it is you just feel that everyone's very, very present. They're not focused on if they got the right shot that they're sending and maybe they don't even know where your ball went, right? And here the patrons are — just like at the Open Championship, they're just highly educated, they're very involved, they're very present. So you end up having those kind of roars and stuff that may be similar but might not be, you know, with the phones out. You know, it just — I think from a player in the ropes, which is the way you asked me the question, it's very nice because you feel like everyone's there with you all the time."

It's a very interesting point. I hadn't considered — are the "roars" louder at Augusta because, you know, people are actually roaring and not looking down at their phones and missing the action? He might be on to something.

Best "I have better plans, thanks" moment: Charlie Woods (??)

Tiger Woods was asked how often he's able to bring his son and fellow golf nut, Charlie, to Augusta National. The 15-time major champion said it's been a few years since young Chuckster has been on the grounds, though he had an opportunity to come last weekend and ... didn't?

"We haven't played in a couple years now," Woods said. "I came up here last weekend. He wanted to be at home. So I came up here, and came up here and got a chance to play with the chairman and Rob and JT, and we had just an absolute blast."

We don't want to read too much into it, but the implication here seems to be that Tiger asked Charlie if he wanted to come last weekend and Charlie essentially said thanks but no thanks. Better plans? More exclusive invite? Just wanted to chill? Whatever it was, we can't imagine ever turning down a trip to Augusta, but Charlie is at the age where hanging out with the boys is a lot cooler than hanging out with dad. Even if dad is the greatest golfer of all time and he has an in at one of the best courses in the world.

Most blissfully unaware moment: Ludvig Aberg

Not only is this the young Swede's first Masters, it's his first major, period. When he was informed that a first-timer hasn't won here since Fuzzy Zoeller did it in 1979, here's what he had to say:

"I actually didn't know that stat up until just now."

That's the exact type of unawareness that could make this young lad the first first-time winner at Augusta since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Best "ahh, he said it!" moment: Wyndham Clark

There's a great scene in the show "Family Guy" where they make fun of movies that have a character say the title of the movie at some point in the film. Peter Griffin's reaction each time it happens is "ahh! he said it!" That's how I felt when Wyndham Clark dropped this line when talking about how he was soaking in his first trip to the Masters.

"The overall ambiance is amazing here," Clark said. "The patrons are so good at kind of respecting the golf but yet still being great, you know, showing excitement when we hit good shots, but then being respectful when we're playing.

"So you just have this feel when you're at this golf course and at this tournament that is unlike any other."

Ahh! He said it!

Most cringey moment for a Viktor Hovland bettor: Viktor Hovland

Normally, when a guy is playing as poorly as Viktor Hovland is, you should stay away from them entirely as a bettor. The problem is, when a guy like Viktor Hovland's odds inflate to 35-to-1, depending on where you look, it's almost impossible to resist. The talent! The ceiling! It's a misprice! He was first-round leader here last year! Why not Vik?!?!

All we'll say is, proceed with caution. The man has been grinding away of late, and even he admitted he's still not getting what he wants out of those grind sessions.

"It depends. Sometimes you feel like you are making progress," Hovland said of his lengthy range routines. "I would say a little bit recently it hasn't been that satisfactory, but at the same time, it's, like, either if you don't see the results, you can always learn something. So if you didn't get better, okay, well, what did I try to do today, and then you know, okay, well, that doesn't work, then we need to try something else."

Not too late to cash out those Hov tickets, folks.

Most Justin Jefferson-like catch: Rory McIlroy

Considering all the pain this event has caused him over the years, Rory McIlroy was asked how much emphasis he puts on actually enjoying this week just like the rest of us do. He believes that's one of the keys to winning here—enjoying everything that comes with this week.

"Thankfully, I've improved a bit since my first start here," he said. "And I feel like I've got all the tools to do well this week. But, again, to bring those tools out, I think one of the most important things is to enjoy it and smell the—I guess not the roses, the azaleas along the way."

Wow, great catch there, Rors. We've seen what happens to guys who refer to the patrons as "fans" or a "mob" at Augusta National. Mistaking azaleas for roses could have gotten him a one-year ban (kidding, we think).

Best "I don't care but I definitely care" moment: Brooks Koepka (obviously)

This has been Koepka's calling card his whole career. Put off the vibe that he couldn't care less about golf while simultaneously caring very deeply about winning the four biggest events of the year. This exchange is peak Brooks:

Q. You have now got as many major championships as, if I've got my facts right, Byron Nelson, Seve Ballesteros and Peter Thomson. Is that type of thing important to you, or is it really, for you, more about just going out and playing golf and winning?

BROOKS KOEPKA: During the moment it's about going to play golf and go do you what I do. But there's 19 other people in front of me, I do know that.

Knowing the exact amount of guys ahead of you on the major count list off the top of your head is a clear indication that this man cares very much. That's good! We love an athlete that cares. Now, the question is, can he name all 19 of them like Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown can name every receiver that went ahead of him in the 2021 NFL Draft? Now THAT would be an impressive level of caring.

MORE GOLF DIGEST MASTERS COVERAGE

Masters 101: Answering all your frequently asked question

How to watch the 2024 Masters

Power Rankings: Every player in the Masters field, ranked

50 defining Masters Moments, ranked

The bogey golfer’s guide to surviving Augusta National

5 shots that players should NEVER hit at Augusta National

15 people who ended up in the Masters penalty box

The most memorable Rules issues in Masters history

In search of the greatest Augusta National

The Masters’ other jackets: Why working tournament week has its perks

The greatest Masters round time has forgotten