2006年VOA标准英语-Woods, Singh, Mickelson Headline Golf's Fi

By David Byrd
Washington
05 April 2006

World number one Tiger Woods of the United States defends his title - and hopes to add another Green Jacket to his wardrobe - when the first major tournament of the year - the Masters - tees off Thursday in Augusta, Georgia. As VOA's David Byrd reports, Woods will have to hold off the best in the game to win his 11th major title.

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Tiger Woods   
  

Woods won the tournament last year by beating compatriot Chris DiMarco in a playoff to take his fourth Masters title. Woods has won three times so far this year - at Dubai, Torrey Pines, and Doral.

Organizers have lengthened² the Augusta National golf course by nearly 142 meters, making it the second-longest layout³ in professional golf. Woods says regardless of the changes it all comes down to accuracy⁴ on the undulating greens at Augusta National.

Tiger Woods walks off practice putting green during preparations for Masters golf tournament  
  
"You have to putt. You have to be able to make putts," he said. "Not only that, you are going to have to make those big important par⁵ putts. Because now with the added length and as fast as this golf course is starting to get, you are going to have some putts or some chips that run out. And you got to make those putts."

Fiji's Vijay Singh will challenge Woods for this year's title. Singh has won three major tournaments - including the Masters in 2000. Two-time U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa is in the field and is hoping to add the Masters to his two other wins so far this year. Goosen says he is just getting into form after taking some time off at the beginning of the season.
 

Vijay Singh blasts⁶ out of sand on second hole during practice for Masters golf tournament  
  
"It took me a while to get back into the swing of things. I feel like I am hitting it quite well right now," he said. "I worked quite hard on my game in the last month, so it is starting to pay off. Hopefully come Sunday again I can give myself a chance here at Augusta."

Woods also has to hold off 2004 winner Phil Mickelson of the United States who is fresh from his 13-stroke victory at the BellSouth Classic⁷ last week. The left-handed American fired a 28-under-par to win the tournament in Duluth, Georgia Sunday, but he says Augusta National will test any player.

Phil Mickelson watches putt during practice for Masters golf tournament   
  
"It is going to be very difficult," he said. "It is going to be a very tough test of golf now with the changes making it even more difficult. It is a very challenging golf course now."

If Tiger Woods wins this week, he would tie Walter Hagen for second on the all-time list with 11 major victories. That would also put him only seven major victories behind the all-time leader, Hall of Fame golfer Jack¹ Nicklaus.

1 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

2 lengthened   

（时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The afternoon shadows lengthened. 下午影子渐渐变长了。
• He wanted to have his coat lengthened a bit. 他要把上衣放长一些。

3 layout   

n.布局，安排，设计

参考例句：

• The robbers studied the layout of the bank.这伙强盗研究了银行的布局。
• This map shows the layout of the plant.这张图展示了工厂的布局。

4 accuracy   

n.准确(性)；精确(性)

参考例句：

• There is need to check the accuracy of these figures.有必要核对一下这些数字的精确性。
• I doubt the accuracy of your statement.我怀疑你的话的正确性。

5 par   

n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的

参考例句：

• Sales of nylon have been below par in recent years.近年来尼龙织品的销售额一直不及以往。
• I don't think his ability is on a par with yours.我认为他的能力不能与你的能力相媲美。

6 blasts   

n.爆炸( blast的名词复数 )；一阵（疾风等）；（吹奏乐器、哨子、汽车喇叭等突然发出的）响声；突如其来的强劲气流v.（用炸药）炸毁( blast的第三人称单数 )；狠打；发出刺耳的高音；向…猛吹，（用水）向…喷射

参考例句：

• The blasts were caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited. 爆炸是由甲烷气囊被引燃造成的。
• The massive blasts shook windows throughout the city, jolting sleeping residents awake. 大量的冲击波震动了整个城市的窗户，惊醒了睡梦中的居民。

7 classic   

n.经典作品；adj.经典的，一流的；古典的

参考例句：

• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。
• The football match was a classic.那场足球比赛堪称典范。