Augusta’s progressive claims are just pretence without a Women’s Masters | Ewan Murray

Masters host has the experience and finances to launch a women's tournament - it just needs the big-picture thinking

Fred Ridley's Wednesday morning address to the media at Augusta National has become an episode in self-congratulation and script-reading. A box-ticking exercise for Ridley, the Augusta chairman, and his acolytes becomes an annual frustration for journalists. Presumably they wouldn't want it any other way.

Those presiding over the Masters swagger with pride at the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the children's Drive, Chip and Putt Championship which precede the opening major of the year. Nobody of a squeamish disposition should watch either on television; broadcasters fall over themselves to offer gushing superlatives to a point which goes beyond parody. The Green Jackets lap this up. Look! Look! We are progressive! There are children wearing shorts and everything!" By Monday of Masters week, the big stuff starts. England's Lottie Woad, the newly crowned women's amateur champion, will be back at Florida State University by the time the 88th Masters champion is crowned. The show quickly moves on in this corner of Georgia.