Irrepressible Jordan Spieth becomes second youngest US Masters winner
There was perhaps no better course than Augusta to bear witness to the events that unfolded over the four-day duration, where history was made, and a new master found.
Jordan Spieth, aged just 21, blew the rest of the field away as he romped to an 18-under-par victory, leading from start to finish.
In place where miracles happen year-on-year, there was Spieth, consistently flourishing his club like a wand to produce the kind of golfing magic which witnessed him make shots from the impossible to the downright audacious.
Where many have previously capitulated at such a young age with the lead on the final day like Rory McIlroy in 2012, there were fears Spieth would do the same, especially when chased down by three times US Masters winner Phil Mickelson, and 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose.
Whatever challenges thrown down by the duo though, Spieth, 8/1 with Coral to win the US Open, raised his game. The chasing pack had no answer, and having already broken the record for the lowest halfway score in Masters history, at 14-under-par, the American was high in confidence.
McIlroy, many people’s favourite going into the tournament, raised his game on the final round, though it wasn’t enough. Paired in a box office partnership with his boyhood hero Tiger Woods, the Northern Irishman had made his move too late, and must have banked on Spieth dropping shots.
To finish fourth, six shots off the lead on 12-under-par was respectable and this is scoreline that in previous years would have been enough to win, however, it was Woods’ marked improvement that was the main talking point, aside from the manner of Spieth’s win.
Having plummeted to outside of the top 100 golf rankings, he produced arguably the best golf for a number of years, to push the chasing pack all the way on the last day to finished tied in 17th place with Sergio Garcia.
Rose and Mickelson challenged to the end, however with two holes to play, and the latter in the clubhouse following a late surge, it became evident that it would be Spieth’s tournament, as he became the second youngest winner after Woods, and just maybe the heir to the 39-year-old’s crown.
