Jordan Spieth won a historic Masters triumph for the ages on Sunday, with the 21-year-old American deftly handling the final-round tension to hold off Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose and win his first major title by four shots.
Writing an epic conclusion to a week of domination at Augusta National, Spieth fired a two-under par 70 to finish on 18-under 270, matching the 72-hole tournament record set by Tiger Woods in 1997.
“This was arguably the greatest day of my life,” said Spieth. “It’s incredible, it’s a dream come true.”
Spieth claimed the green jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy and the top prize of $1.8 million at the $10 million event by denying two of golf’s top major champions another crown.
England’s Rose, the 2013 US Open winner and Spieth’s last-pair playing partner, shot 70 to share second on 274 with 44-year-old US left-hander Mickelson, a five-time major winner who shot 69.
“I played a good solid round but I needed something exceptional. I just didn’t quite get it,” said Mickelson. “I just got outplayed. Jordan played great.” Top-ranked Rory McIlroy, seeking a third consecutive major win to complete his career Grand Slam, was fourth on 276 after a 66, one stroke ahead of Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2015.
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