When 14-year-old Jordan Spieth was interviewed after winning an under 16 tournament in Dallas, he said, “My ultimate goal is to win the Masters”.
His ultimate came to fruition today at Augusta National, when the 21-year-old donned the coveted green jacket after a sometimes stirring battle with Justin Rose to win by four shots and set four new Masters’ records in the process.
Spieth’s records:
Lowest 36-hole score – 130, beating the previous record of 131 set by Raymond Floyd in 1976.
Lowest 54-hole record – 200, beating the 201 set by Floyd in 1976, and Tiger Woods in 1997, Woods’ first major.
Lowest 72-hole total – sharing 270 set by Woods in 1997. A bogey at the last cost Spieth the record on his own.
And a new tournament birdie record – 28 beating Phil Mickelson’s 25 set in 2001.
Prize-money was dramatically different for Floyd, Woods, and Spieth.
Floyd banked $40,000 for his win in 1976, Woods $480,000 in 1997, and today Spieth is $1.8m richer.
Realistically on the final day only Rose (12-under) and Mickelson (11-under) could catch the on-fire Spieth’s 16-under, but it needed the Texan to choke, or Rose and Mickelson to fire the flag out.
Neither happened. Spieth was as cool as a cucumber, despite the odd hiccup.
In the end the relentless Spieth finished at 18-under by firing in 70 with six birdies and four bogeys, Rose a 70 with five birdies and three bogeys, sharing 14-under with Mickelson who had a 69 – an eagle, four birdies, and three bogeys.
World number one Rory McIlroy and former number one Tiger Woods were paired.
Woods, in particular, didn’t find one fairway on the outward nine, mainly among the pine straw to the right, apparently damaging his right hand with one recovery shot.
But these days you never know how genuine any Woods’ injury is when he’s playing ordinary golf.
An hour later, with the first fairway he hit all day, Woods made eagle at 13.
He finished at 5-under with a finishing 73 that included an eagle, two birdies, and five bogeys – McIlroy was far more consistent and in control with a flawless six-birdie 66 to finish at 12-under.
Notables out of contention who played well on the final day – Hideki Matsuyama with the best, a 66, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, and Jamie Donaldson shot 67s, while Henrik Stenson, Keegan Bradley, Mark O’Meara, Paul Casey, Zach Johnson, and Steve Stricker carded 68s.
The four Australians who made the cut had mixed days.
Jason Day finished the tournament at 1-under after a final round 75 that included three birdies and six bogeys.
Adam Scott had a disastrous quadruple bogey seven at the 12th in his round of 74 to finish at 1-over.
John Senden also finished at 1-over after a final round 72, while Geoff Ogilvy was 3-over after his 74.
But nobody could compete with Jordan Spieth’s extraordinary brilliance, he’s a very worthy champion, knocking on the world number one door.
His flat stick is phenomenal and he’s as good a putter as I’ve seen over 65 years, pegging him against Bobby Locke, Kel Nagle, Loren Roberts, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods – in his hey-day, not these days.
riddler
Guest
True
John
Guest
David, you can add a 5th record, as he was the first person at Augusta to every get to -19.
Simoc
Guest
The impressive thing about his game is he takes on highly risky shots and converts. He also fluffs some shots like the putt to win the tournament. But his putting is something else. He steps up and plays immediately (John Day did that), and so assuredly. He has no doubts in his mind from the way he plays.
Birdy
Guest
Yes riddler one of the sporting pleasures of the year
Kaks
Roar Guru
My apologies, still not bad for one days work (or four)
Bondy
I'm not suggesting anything but when Tiger doesn't win he seems to take on board injuries ? ... Good luck to the young Lad ...
riddler
Guest
birdy he was class all the way.. loved watching it.. first time in 20 years have watched the whole last two days.. a few things that i loved just as much if not more than his golf.. his thumbs up to rose when rose hit that incredible chip.. his mum and dad congratulated rose first.. then his old man told him to go out and thank the crowd.. first class, very humble and down to earth.. while being a champion at a level that so few have.. i love my sport but i love my sport when played by people like him.. and all at 21..
Birdy
Guest
I don't see what's so special , 18 holes for 66 . I can do that in 10 . Ha ha. Seriously I watched him lead after 18 then after 36 and thought not another American grabbing the limelight. Then after day 3 and into day 4 I actually started to get on side and wanted him to win . His determination was amazing as was his lack of that spoilt brat, I deserve it attitude. Hopefully Day will hit his straps so we can all watch 3 champions over the next decade or so.
Fox Molder
Guest
A great victory to Spieth who has proven his ability to close more and more in the last 6 months. He is coming back to defend his Australian Open title later this year which is great news for the local tour. A shame that the TV coverage seems to be ads interrupted by snatches of golf. FoxSports would throw to ads and then when returning to the coverage show us what we had missed out on during the break. It is almost becoming a semi-live highlights package. The host broadcaster again gave huge air time to Tiger and barely any to his playing partner Rory McIlroy. It wasn't untl the last 2 or 3 holes we even saw the world number 1. Matsuyama who shot 66 like McIlroy finished 5th had about 2 shots shown the entire day. Tiger's popped wrist. Please. What a joke. He has done it before....http://www.golf.com/ap-news/charlie-wi-opens-3-shot-lead-pebble-beach-pro-am
jamesb
Guest
Looks like golf will have a new rivarly in Spieth and McIlroy.
jameswm
Guest
Wow - is this kid the next Tiger?
jameswm
Guest
Less tax guys, don't forget.
Jason Cave
Guest
Could Jordan Spieth do the 'Grand Slam' of golf-win the Masters, US Open, British Open and US PGA in 2015? Plus, the Players Championships, the World Golf Championships, and possibly, even a spot on the US President's Cup team as well?
sheek
Roar Guru
Pretty awesome stuff David, And Spieth is only 21. Whoever said golf was an older man's game! Some other interesting info provided as well. Thanks for that.
johnno2
Guest
awesome golf from Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Rory, and Phil the Lefty, Hediki Matsuyama, Jason Day. good to see Tiger is on his way back. golf is in great shape for the next couple of years
David Lord
Expert
$1.8 mill.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Fantastic tournament, well done young man. Kaks that 9 million was overall prizemoney for the tournament I think. He would have collected 2 or 3 mill.
Torchbearer
Guest
Or daughter- World Number 1 Lydia Ko is just 17 and a multi millionaire too!
Kaks
Roar Guru
21 Years Old. Green Jacket on his back. 9 million US dollars in his pocket from this tournament. 12 million US dollars in his pocket in total. possibly 50 more years left in his career to add to that. I know what sport my son is playing when he is born!