Sunday’s final round of The Masters produced one of the greatest final rounds in one of the game’s greatest single events. Here’s what we’re talking about at #TeamCompleat HQ this morning:
The coverage was good, not great, not terrible
In South Africa, we are limited to the feed that is beemed around the world. We were forced to watch plenty of Tiger Woods, even on Sunday, when his score and shots were irrelevant. We missed Jordan Spieth’s pre-shot talk with caddie Michael Grellar ahead of his shot of the tournament contender from the pine straw on 13th. From then on, we saw everything, we heard the roars and we were kept in a good picture. A good job by the broadcasters but throughout the event, there were some frustrating moments, especially the featured pairing on Friday that had the Couples group in focus rather than Spieth.
Jordan is an Augusta legend
Too soon? Not even close. He will win many, many Green Jackets. More than Tiger (four). Spieth’s got his problems but we loved his action on 12th – the hole that cost him a back to back win in 2016. He played safe, was ironically cheered by the crowd and play acted with a big sigh of relief. Next? He birdied the hole! He was sublime on Sunday, roaring from nine back at the start of the day, amping up the crowd and even co-leading for a few holes. Sure his drive on 18th left everyone deflated but he’ll be back. Make him your 2019 Masters favourite right now.
Tiger talk was just that, all talk
What to make of Woods’ comeback? Las Vegas bookies, who we are sure don’t like to lose money, were confident that Tiger would contend this week. He didn’t. Not even close. He’s ring rusty for sure and Augusta chewed him up and spat him out. The talk of a win or a strong challenge was just that. But who knows for sure what lies ahead?
No near miss for Rickie
If you see something written about this being another Fowler miss. Stop reading and question your sources. He started five back and made a huge run over his last 10 holes but Reed’s advantage and pretty solid ― albeit streaky at times ― play was too much for Fowler on Sunday.
Rory missed a great chance
This definitely was a miss for McIlroy. His wild swing on the 1st. As many as five missed short putts on the front nine and at least another wild, wild swing off the tee quickly had him leaving the stage. Had he taken advantage of Reed’s slow start with some good play, he would’ve been impossible to stop. This was a magnificent chance to complete the career slam and get some Hazeltine revenge over Reed, instead, he failed on both accounts. He’ll be hurting (and come back stronger and win the US Open, probably) …
Rahm is young, he’ll learn hopefully
Jon Rahm started well and then couldn’t kick on and get closer to Reed. His mistake on 13th, one of the worst to make, cost him dearly. Who doesn’t know the only thing you can’t do is be short, the ball will always roll back into Rae’s Creek? Not sure what to make of his temperament – on one hand it’s good to let it out and move on, on the other, he needs to show more control with the eyes of the world on him.
Finau’s story is worth double-clicking on
What a week for Finau. Hole in one, failed celebration, stellar first round and then on Sunday he made six birdies in a row and almost made history with a seventh on the last that stayed just out on the right. This guy can play, he’ll win more in the years to come. We’ll be watching to see how he celebrates though.
Reed rode his luck
He got lucky on the first with a hooked drive that left him with one inch of room to advance the ball into the left bunker. He skulled that shot but it somehow grabbed the edge of the green. He saved a few shots there. On the 3rd, he rammed his putt and it dropped; miss that and Rory’s got so much confidence. He stayed out of Rae’s Creek on 13th after a chunky second. How?! His putt on 17th lipped out from 80-feet, had he missed the cup and he would have had plenty to do to save par with one to play. Lady luck smiled on Reed, you can bet he’s smiling today too.
Cliches matter at Augusta
Azaleas in full bloom, Magnolia Lane, Butler Cabin, Rae’s Creek, Amen Corner etc, etc They all matter and possibly the greatest one of all, it only gets decided on the back nine on Sunday. How true was that in 2016, ’17 and again in ’18?
Another Saffa miss
Hard not to think ‘What might’ve been?’ for Louis Oosthuizen this week. Played pretty good golf but couldn’t convert for any low rounds. The long wait for a return of the South African flag flying highest at one of golf’s elite four events continues.
Ryder Cup hype is going to next level
Rickie beat Rahm. Reed beat Rory. Is the USA going to steamroll Europe in France? Probably not. The third final pairing was an all Team Europe combination (Tommy Fleetwood and Henrik Stenson) that stuttered on Sunday and the visitors will take the advantage into their defence. You can bet that with each passing tournament, eyes will be on each of the mini-battles when it’s Europe vs USA for a tour event. By the time September comes, things are going to be at an all-time high when it comes to frenzied buildup and we can’t wait.
