Paddy Morgan’s Masters review

The week started in sunshine as warm temperatures and calm winds gave the players a chance to put a good score together on day one.

Jon Rahm started with a double bogey but a remarkable comeback which included shooting nine under for 17 holes to leave the 2021 US Open champion on seven under. Viktor Hovland found a hot flat stick as he also shot an opening round of seven under.

Beforehand there was a lot of talk about LIV players playing at The Masters and one of their stars Brooks Koepka was back to his best in also shooting an opening round of seven under.

All the best players were near the top of the leaderboard after day one which included 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and three-time major winner Jordan Spieth. Rory McIlroy had five birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey to shoot an opening round of 72.

Day two started off calm as Koepka took advantage of good conditions to set a 36 hole score of 12 under. McIlroy played in the easier conditions but shot a disappointing round of five over to miss the cut.

It was very disappointing as I thought that this year could have been McIlroy’s year at The Masters. The conditions in the afternoon would change and play was suspended due to lighting in the air.

The afternoon players from day two had to finish their second round on Saturday morning. Rahm made a incredible putt on the 17th hole to shoot a second round of 69. The tough conditions of wind from a north direction and heavy rain played havoc as players were hitting woods into the 18th hole.

Justin Thomas struggled in the bad conditions as 2022 PGA Championship winner missed the cut. Five-time Masters winner Tiger Woods made the cut on three over.

The players were able to start their third round but play was suspended for the day after only six holes of the final group.

Koepka had a four shot lead over Rahm when play was stopped on Saturday. Play finally resumed at 08:30AM on Sunday morning with Rahm and Koepka resuming on the seventh hole.

The gap was immediately closed as Rahm holed a medium length putt for birdie and Koepka failed to make par. Rahm made two birdies after a good putt on the par five 8th but Koepka also birdied after converting a close birdie putt. Rahm had a few poor swings on his back nine as he shot a third round of 73. The gap was two between Rahm and Koepka going into the final round but wasn’t only a two horse race as Hovland got it to eight under after five birdies on the back nine.

It was sad to see that Tiger Woods was not in his traditional red shirt and black trousers for the final day as he withdrew from The Masters. Rahm holed a great putt from around 10 feet on the first hole for a par.

Rahm took advantage of the short par four 3rd and closed the gap to one as Koepka only got a par on that hole. The mistakes started for Koepka as he had two bogeys on the par three 4th and 6th. Rahm played the first six holes in one under and took a one shot lead to the 7th hole.

Rahm hit a beautiful chip on the 8th and converted a short putt for birdie but had a bogey on the 9th after his second shot spun off the green. Rahm had a two shot lead over Koepka going into the back nine after Koepka shot a front nine of 39.

Hovland’s chances of winning took a backward step after a double bogey on the par three 6th. Rahm took control of the tournament with long accurate drives and good distance control with his wedges as he played Amen corner in level par.

Rahm hit a huge drive around the corner on the par five 13th and put one sleave in the jacket after birdies on 13th and 14th.

Koepka’s chances of winning came to an end after three putt on the 14th for bogey. Rahm played the last four holes in level par to win his first green jacket by four shots.

Three time Masters champion Phil Mickelson had an amazing final round of 65 to finish tied second on eight under with Koepka. Jordan Spieth also had a strong finish with a final round of 66.

The only other Europeans to finish in the top ten was Hovland in a tied for seventh on six under and current US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick on a four under in a tie for 10th.

The Irish didn’t impress at The Masters as Shane Lowry finished tied 16th on two under and Seamus Power finished seven over in a tied for 46th. Amateur Sam Bennett was very impressive as he won the Low Amateur Silver Cup award and played with Scheffler, Morikawa, Rahm and Koepka over the four days.

Rahm became the first European to win The Masters and US Open. Well deserved win and it’s already been a great year for the Spaniard as he has won four times including The Masters. A bit of a hard watch due to all the rain delays but Augusta was in sunshine for the final day.