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From the PGA tour: Spieth dominates 79th Masters to win first major
The first major of the year, the Masters, got underway with the anticipation of the return of Tiger Woods after an abysmal start to his PGA Tour season
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he first major of the year, the Masters, got underway with the anticipation of the return of Tiger Woods after an abysmal start to his PGA Tour season. Little did Woods know that the spotlight was about to shine on an up-and-coming 21-year-old American prodigy named Jordan Spieth.
At 14, the young Spieth declared on camera that his ultimate goal was to win the Masters. Last year, aged 20, the Texan Spieth finished second. On a beautiful and picturesque spring Sunday afternoon in Augusta, Georgia, Spieth's proclamation came true when he comfortably won the 79th Masters tournament in spectacular style.
Spieth became the first champion in 39 years to lead every round and only the fifth to do so in the major's history.
To add to his now illustrious resume he tied Woods' record score of 18 under par (270 total) and becomes the second-youngest Masters champion ever, behind Woods.
Spieth got off to a brilliant start in the first round, shooting a sensational 8 under par 64 to take a three-stroke lead over a foursome in Australia's Jason Day, South Africa's Ernie Els, American Charlie Hoffman and England's Justin Rose who were all at 5 under par.
He followed up with a 6 under 66 in round two, and a bogey-free clean sheet. He set a new Masters record with a two-round total of 14 under par. Left scratching his head in second place was Charlie Hoffman, five strokes behind at 9 under par. Commenting on his record, Spieth said: 'It's cool. Any time you can set a record here is pretty awesome.'
The young Spieth knew he needed to stay calm to maintain his lead going into the weekend. With a five-stroke lead the field would attempt a charge at him.
Though he made three bogeys and a double bogey in round three, his seven birdies allowed him to shoot a 2 under par 70 to move his total to 16 under par.
The Englishman Rose followed up his 2 under par second round with a dazzling 5 under par 67 in round three to be in sole possession of second place at 12 under but still a distant four strokes back.
Spieth brought nerves of steel to the fourth and final round, never letting the Englishman and a charging three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson get closer than three strokes during the final round.
At the end of the day on Augusta's 18th green, Spieth left no prisoners as he sunk his final putt for victory for a resounding four-stroke win at 18 under par. All Rose and Mickelson could muster was to tie as bridesmaids at 14 under par. Woods for his part finished tied for 17th place at 5 under par.
After his victory Spieth said: 'This was arguably the greatest day of my life. To join Masters history and put my name on that trophy and to have this [green] jacket forever, it's something that I can't fathom right now.'
Spieth had been inspired to victory by his 14-year-old sister who has a neurological disorder.
'It's humbling to see her and her friends and the struggles they go through each day that we take for granted,' he said.
'Jordan realizes this isn't real life at the Masters. Trying to sit around and have dinner when his sister doesn't want to eat when everybody else is eating and has a fit, that's real life,' his mother added.
The young Masters champion certainly has life in perspective. At 21 he has the talent, motivation and discipline to win multiple major championships. We will all witness Spieth's promise and full potential unfold over time.
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The writer can be reached at dhillond@bellsouth.net
