At Augusta National, Jordan Spieth just tore apart one of the most unforgiving golf courses in the world. Spieth became the first person to ever get to -19, and finished with a bogey at 18 to come in at -18 (ties Tiger Woods for lowest 72 hole score). All the big guns came out firing on Saturday and Sunday, but Spieth held off Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose by four shots, Rory McIlroy by 6 shots, and Tiger Woods by 13 shots.
Spieth joins an exclusive elite company of players by winning The Masters. Now forever no matter what happens he will be talked about in the same breath of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklus, Gary Player, Gene Sarzen, Sir Nick Faldo, Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson.
“This was arguably the greatest day of my life,” Spieth said. “To join Masters history and put my name on that trophy and to have this jacket forever, it’s something that I can’t fathom right now.”
His competitors also were left trying to fathom with the young Texan accomplished.
“Playing with Jordan, he’s going to sort of fly the flag for golf for quite a while,” Rose said. “People were getting excited about that out there. You could tell.”
Jordan heard the standing ovations all afternoon and the final walk to the 18th green, and even more as his final putt made the championship official. All along the patron paths all week younger generations of golf fans got to take it all in, and see that a new generation of golf is being ushered in. Golf fans have been left wondering what is “next” now that Tiger, Phil, Ernie Els, and their ilk are starting to head into their last years as dominant players on tour.
The next generation led by Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson seem to be willing and able to take the torch when it’s finally passed down.
Rory is still number one in the world by a wide margin, but now Spieth has moved to number two. It is the first time players 25 years or younger are one and two in the world rankings.
“He’s got four majors. That’s something I can still only dream about,” Spieth said. “I don’t know, as far as a rivalry right now.”
“It’s awfully impressive,” McIlroy said after closing with a 66 to finish fourth. “It’s nice to get your major tally up and running at an early stage in your career. It’s great to see, great for the game, and I’m sure there will be many more.”
Mickelson tried to make a run at Spieth after he holed a bunker shot at 15 to get an eagle. He just couldn’t make any more birdies on the last three holes to apply any pressure coming in for Spieth.
“He has no weaknesses,” Mickelson said. “He doesn’t overpower the golf course, but he plays the course strategically well. He plays all the shots properly. And he has that ability to focus and see things clear when the pressure is on and perform at his best when the pressure is on.
“That’s something that you really can’t teach,” he said. “Some players are able to do it, some players aren’t. And he is.”
Despite how easy Jordan made it look all week he didn’t sleep well with the lead Saturday night.
I thought today might be easier having played with the lead on Saturday. It wasn’t,” Spieth said. “It’s the most incredible week of my life. This is as great as it gets in our sport. … I’m still kind of [in] shock a little bit.”
Also who is still in shock is the writers of the record books for Augusta National. Now they have to put in a new leader for:
• The 36-hole record at 14-under 130.
• The 54-hole record at 16-under 200.
• The most birdies for the tournament at 28.
• The lowest opening round by a champion at 64.
Spieth was reminded of how far he has come in just a few short years, while on the tee holding a four shot lead. Michael Greller, his caddie said to him that his Texas Longhorns were in a match play in California. Jordan had led Texas to one National Championship two years ago over Alabama.
“He said, ‘Face it: Aren’t you glad you’re here instead of there?'” Spieth said with a smile.
Once he finished off his “masterpiece” it started to sink in a little bit.
“This was the ultimate goal in my golf life,” he said.
For golf fans let’s just hope he’s just getting started.
Watch @JordanSpieth complete his record week by putting on the Green Jacket. #themasters https://t.co/hKj8aj0fLr
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 13, 2015
