For seven straight rounds over two years, Jordan Spieth led the Masters. Then over less than 60 minutes, he dropped six strokes (and two balls into Rae’s Creek). The safe play to #12 has always been the middle of that green, especially when playing with a lead on Sunday in the Masters. So did he really flare it that badly or was he shooting at the pin and wiped it?
Either way, an uncharacteristic series of mistakes by Jordan Spieth helped a charging Danny Willett emerge victorious for his first major and first win in the United States (he has four previous wins in Europe). Willett shot a bogey-free 5-under 67, that bested runners-up Spieth and Lee Westwood by three strokes. The last player to arrive in Augusta this year, Willett is a new father of less than two weeks, and the expected due date was to be Sunday, April 10. Right date, different coming out party.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Spieth Stumble Gives New Father First Major
What a way to breakthrough on the PGA Tour! Danny Willett went from a feel-good also ran story to a major winner in a shocking turn of events in Augusta. Willett charged on Sunday, while Jordan Spieth watched a second straight Masters slip through his fingers. [Link]
Hole #2: Aces Were Wild On #16
Not one but three holes in one were recorded Sunday at Redbud, the par 3 16th at Augusta National. And the last was probably the most spectacular considering it was almost a two-fer. [Link]
Hole #3: Low Amateur Has High Ceiling
You probably saw at least a little of Bryson DeChambeau this weekend. His Sunday 72 gave him the low amateur title for the 2016 Masters. Next week he’ll be playing as a pro at Hilton Head. You’ll probably be seeing more of him and his odd set of clubs. [Link]
Hole #4: Well Done, Gary
It’s the 80th playing of the Masters, and an 80-year-old made a hole in one in the Par 3 Contest. Conspiracy theorists, go! [Link]
Hole #5: Silence the Roars
It’s the most famous, and among the best, par 5s in golf. So naturally you’d want to screw with it. [Link]
Hole #6: The House ANGC Can’t Buy
I love this story. Most of the year they have nice empty parkland around them (literally). [Link]
Hole #7: Rub of the Masters Green
Billy Horshel experienced some plain old bad luck on #15 Saturday. [Link]
Hole #8: The Guardians of the Green
A Gallery Guard (ie., “marshal” anywhere but Augusta) tells all, or at least some. [Link]
Hole #9: Winning the Masters Lottery
A reporter tells what it’s like to play Augusta on media Monday. [Link]