Masters 2023: Jon Rahm secures emotional win at Augusta National, Jason Day leads Australian capitulation
As Jon Rahm claimed victory, the question was raised, what happened to the Australian charge? It’s hard to remember one going worse outside of Greg Norman, writes Brent Read.
Australia’s hopes of making a final day charge at the US Masters went down the gurgler. They were sunk and shanked.
As far as final days go, it was hard to remember one going worse, excluding of course the many capitulations of Greg Norman.
Jason Day was the most culpable, although in his case at least there was an explanation. Day has struggled with vertigo at times over his career and while no-one would publicly admit it - least of all Day - it is believed he had some issues prior to his round.
How else could you explain a sequence where he had four double bogeys in five holes. Day started the final day as our best hope. He finished it with no hope.
He began his final round at three under and signed off at five over. If he didn’t feel sick before the round, he certainly did afterwards.
Having signed for an 80 - yes, that’s right, an 80 - Day was greeted by son Dash and wife Ellie at the scorer’s tent and looked for the nearest exit. He was in no mood to speak to the media and who could blame him?
Hopefully we’ll see him in Australia later this year because Day has been playing some pretty good golf of late, excluding of course the final day at the Masters.
His first double came at the par four 9th when he took four putts on the green, including three from 15 feet. He then smashed his drive at the par four 10th so far left he was sent back to the tee and forced to hit another ball. He walked off the green with a six.
Worse was to come on the par three 12th as Day’s tee shot landed in the rough at the edge of the bunker at the back of the green. Day attempted to putt the ball with both feet in the sand but it sailed past the hole and into the pond at the front of the green.
He was forced to take another penalty shot and walked off the green with a five. At 13, there was another penalty shot after he pulled his drive left. Having started the day with the opportunity to put pressure on the leaders, Day had been left in their wake and it had largely been of his own doing.
He certainly wasn’t the only Australian to struggle. Cameron Smith couldn’t get it going and signed for a 75 as he finished the tournament at four over.
Smith had plenty of bad luck but he also had a stroke of the good stuff when his second shot at the par five 13th looked destined for Rae’s Creek, only to hit a rock and bounce back into the fairway.
Finally, there was Adam Scott. He signed for a 74 as he finished at five over. To be fair to Smith and Scott, they were both on the tougher side of the draw. They copped the worst of the weather on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Then again, they also failed to make hay when the sun came out on the final day. To his eternal credit, Scott refused to take the easy way out and blame the weather.
“The game is solid but I’m not putting four days together any week, not just this week.,” Scott said.
“I need to figure out how to have that run. I must have played 20 or 21 holes in horrific conditions and Brooks [Koepka] played six.
“It’s a huge difference. But that’s how it goes. It all evens out, I’ve had some good breaks and my share of bad ones too.”
SPANISH INSPIRATION SPURS RAHM TO MASTERS GLORY
The back nine at Augusta National on the final day at the US Masters and Jon Rahm is looking for inspiration to help him keep Brooks Koepka and a hard-charging Phil Mickelson at bay. It came from the heavens.
Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros, winner of two green jackets, would have been 66 on Monday morning (AEDT). He was Rahm’s hero as a kid. Not just a Spanish sporting legend, but a golfing icon.
It was only after watching Ballesteros captain Europe to victory in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama that Rahm’s father decided to pick up a golf club.
Asked whether he thought the fans were more behind him than Koepka, a headline act on the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, Rahm suggested things turned midway through his final round.
It wasn’t Koepka pushing him - it was the ghost of Ballesteros.
“If it wasn’t for that Ryder Cup in ‘97, my dad and I talk about it all the time, we don’t know where I would be or where as a family we would be,” Rahm said.
“Even with that bogey on (the 9th), the support was pretty incredible all throughout, and I kept hearing, ‘Seve! Seve! Seve! Do it for Seve!’”
“I heard that the entire back nine. That might have been the hardest thing to control today - the emotion of knowing what it could be if I were to win.”
Rahm controlled his emotions as well as he controlled the golf ball. The Spanish superstar romped to a four shot win in the end, firing a final round 69 to overtake Koepka (75) and see off Mickelson.
Australia’s challenge floundered with Jason Day (80) as he battled illness and never threatened. Rahm had his first Masters, his second major - he won the 2021 US Open - and is back to No.1 in the world.
Not a bad day’s work.
“Hard to put it into words,” he said.
“Obviously we all dream of things like this as players, and you try to visualise what it’s going to be like and what it’s going to feel like.
“Never thought I was going to cry by winning a golf tournament but I got very close on that 18th hole. And a lot of it because of what it means to me, and to Spanish golf.
“It’s Spain’s 10th major, fourth player to win the Masters, and my second win, right, my second major win, right.
“It’s pretty incredible. And to play the way I did on Sunday, only one bogey in difficult conditions …. hard to explain. A lot of pride, and I am really proud of myself and what I did.
“Still really hasn’t sinked in yet. Can’t really say anything else. This one was for Seve. He was up there helping, and help he did.”
Not that Rahm needed it. For starters, he got a helping hand from Koepka, who made three bogeys on the opening nine holes of his final round. The American had been running hot until crunch time arrived. Then things got shaky.
“Yeah, obviously it’s super disappointing, right,” Koepka said.
“Didn’t play good enough to win.”
After all the talk about LIV players storming the 18th green should one of their cohort win the Masters, it was a PGA Tour player who got the job done.
Somewhere, PGA commissioner Jay Monahan was no doubt dancing a jig. He may have even pondered doing a lap of the 18th green himself given all the hoopla that surrounded the debate about golf’s future and its rival factions.
Both sides of the divide had something to crow about in the end. Rahm won the tournament and three LIV players - Koepka, Mickelson and Patrick Reed - were in the top six. Let’s call it a draw.
“I mean, we’re still the same people,” Koepka said.
“So I mean, I know if I’m healthy, I know I can compete. I don’t think any of the guys that played this event thought otherwise, either.
“When Phil plays good, we know he’s going to compete. P-Reed, the same thing. I think that’s just manufactured by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we are washed up.”
Mickelson added: “This tournament isn’t about what tour you play from. There’s players from all over, all over the world on many different tours, and you’re bringing the best players to play against each other in the majors.
“And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what the game of golf should be. There’s always going to be and should always be a place for historical events like this but it’s okay to have a little bit of …. variety in the game of golf.”
Rahm no doubt agrees.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE REACTION TO THE MASTERS AS IT HAPPENED
RAHM CALLED WIN 10 YEARS AGO
Jon Rahm is a man of his word.
He tweeted the below after opening a fortune cookie in 2013.
Ten years later, he is officially a Masters champion.
I am gonna win the masters! @goodwalkspoiledpic.twitter.com/c7oT46dMGG
— Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmpga) November 9, 2013
9:06AM RAHM HEADS TO 18 WITH A FOUR-SHOT LEAD
Huge moment at Augusta! Jon Rahm has holed the biggest putt of his week and will walk up the 18th with a four shot lead.
He has been absolutely sublime today. He is playing like the best player in the world.
9:00AM: REED SET FOR ADELAIDE SHOWING
Patrick Reed has warmed up for the LIV event in Adelaide by storming home in the US Masters at Augusta National.
Reed had four birdies in his last seven holes to finish at seven under for the tournament, good enough for a share of fourth behind leader Jon Rahm (-12), who has two holes to play.
Reed’s next stop will be in Adelaide, where he will be one of the big names on show in Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Tour.
The last time Reed was in Australia was four years ago as part of the American Presidents Cup team. It wasn’t exactly an enjoyable experience for the former Masters winner - he was heckled at the first tee and his caddie was suspended after he got in an altercation with a member of the public.
“I enjoyed playing there,” Reed said.
“It was good down there. Our team was able to go get the win, which was awesome, and I’m looking forward to going back.”
8:37AM: SCOTT’S POSITIVE FINISH AS RAHM CHARGE CONTINUES
Adam Scott birdied two of his final three holes to end his US Masters campaign on a positive note at Augusta National.
Scott (74), who celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his Masters victory this week, finished at five over for the tournament and was never in contention on the final day.
Compatriot Cameron Smith (75) was one shot better at four over while Jason Day (80) had a day to forget as he fell apart in the final round.
Spaniard Jon Rahm on the way to his first Masters victory, leading by four shots clear with three holes to play.
8:34AM: ‘THIS DOESN’T FEEL LIKE A FLUKE’: MICKELSON
Phil Mickelson has produced a remarkable final round to move into outright second behind Jon Rahm on the final day of the US Masters.
Mickelson shot a stunning seven under par 65 to move to eight under, four shots behind Rahm, who has four holes to play.
Third round leader Brooks Koepka slid down the leaderboard and is now in a share of third at seven under.
Mickelson started the final round at one under but had five birdies in his final seven holes to storm up the leaderboard.
“To come out today and play the way I did and hit the shots when I needed, it’s so much fun,” Mickelson said.
“I’m grateful to be a part of this tournament and to be here competing and then to play well, it means a lot.
“I’ve been hitting quality shots. This doesn’t feel like a fluke. It wasn’t like I hit shots I haven’t been hitting. I stayed present and didn’t make loose swings or those bad swings at an inopportune time.
“I stayed very present and calm throughout, then executed and had a blast.”
8:15AM: CAN ANYONE CATCH RAHM?
Jon Rahm has one hand on the Masters trophy.
The Spaniard holds a three-shot lead over his nearest rival, with LIV Tour rebel Phil Mickelson in the clubhouse at -8.
Rahm has been a picture of consistency on the final day and is yet to post a bogey.
Meanwhile his playing partner and pre-round favourite to win the event, Brooks Koepka, is +4 and is seemingly out of the race for top honours.
7.05AM: DAY’S UGLY MASTERS MELTDOWN
Jason Day has completely lost the plot in his final round at Augusta National. Day started his final round at three under but has dropped to three over with six holes to play after a series of double bogeys.
His first double came at the par four 9th when he took four putts on the green. He then smashed his drive at the par four 10th so far left he was sent back to the tee and forced to hit another ball.
He walked off the green with a six. Worse was to come on the par three 12th as Day’s tee shot landed on the rough at the edge of the bunker at the back of the green.
Day attempted to putt the ball with both feet in the bunker but it sailed past the hole and into the pond at the front of the green.
He was forced to take another penalty shot and walked off the green with a five. Having started the day with the opportunity to put pressure on the leaders, Day has been left in their wake and it has largely been of his own doing.
6.50AM: RAHM EXTENDS MASTERS LEAD
Jon Rahm (-11) has taken the US Masters by the scruff of the neck, extending his lead over Brooks Koepka to two shots at Augusta National.
Rahm, who started the final round two shots behind Koepka, took the lead at the 6th hole and went a further shot clear at the par five 8th after a magnificent chip set him up for birdie.
The best Koepka (-9) could do was a par as Rahm seized control of the Masters. It promises to be an emotional win for Rahm and his home nation of Spain should he hold on - the final round is being played on the date of Seve Ballesteros’ birthday.
Ballesteros, who passed away in 2011, was revered in Spain and is regarded as one of the greatest golfers in the game’s history.
6.40AM: SPIETH MAKES HIS CHARGE
Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth has moved into outright third at Augusta National with three holes to play in his final round after firing eight birdies through 15 holes.
Spieth (-7) started the day at two under but had five birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. He then stepped it up with three more birdies on his back nine to keep the pressure on leader Jon Rahm.
Rahm (-10) retains a one shot lead over Brooks Koepka (-9), having missed the opportunity to increase his advantage when he couldn’t make the most of a short putt at the par four 7th.
A pack of seven has formed behind Spieth at six under including a fast-finishing Phil Mickelson, Cameron Young and Patrick Cantlay.
6.20AM: DAY JOINS AUSSIE CAPITULATION
Jason Day has joined the Aussie capitulation at Augusta National after taking four putts on the 9th green at the US Masters.
Day was the best placed of the Australian contingent at three under when he stood on the tee at the 9th but any hope of putting pressure on the leaders disappeared as his normally-reliable flatstick let him down.
Day hit the green in the regulation and played a solid birdie putt to leave himself about five feet for par. It should have been a tap-in for a player regarded as one of the best putters in the game but Day’s putt caught the edge of the cup and sailed by.
He then had a four foot putt for bogey but watched it horseshoe around the cup. He finally tapped in for a double bogey and dropped to one under, leaving him nine shots adrift of leader Jon Rahm.
Rahm (-10) grabbed the lead from Brooks Koepka (-9) at the sixth hole when Koepka made bogey.
6AM: SMITH’S MASTERS DREAM EVAPORATES
A last-ditch challenge for the green jacket failed to materialise for Cameron Smith but he may walk away from Augusta National having benefited from the luckiest shot of the week.
Smith has struggled through his fourth round on Monday morning (AEDT) but things could have been a lot worse had he not been the recipient of some good fortune on the par five 13th.
Smith stood on the tee at the newly lengthened hole - named Azalea - and ripped his drive into the heart of the fairway. That gave him the chance to shoot for the green and Smith did just that as he looked to ignite his final round.
Smith made good contact but not good enough - his ball looked destined to land in Rae’s Creek, which guards the front of the green.
As Smith watched on, fearing the worst, his ball ricocheted off a rock, flew into the air and nestled back on the fairway.
Smith couldn’t make the most of his luck - he walked off the green with a par as he struggled to make an impression on the leaders on the final day.
5.45AM: LIV-PGA WAR HEATS UP ON COURSE
Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm are having a ding-dong battle at the top of the leaderboard in the final round of the US Masters at Augusta National.
Koepka, who is aligned with LIV Golf, and Rahm are tied at 10 under through four holes, Rahm closing the two-shout gap at the start of the round when he made birdie at the par four 3rd and Koepka dropped a shot at the next hole.
Viktor Hovland is a further shot back through four holes, one clear of Russell Henley. The Australian challenge on the final day never eventuated as Cameron Smith and Adam Scott fell by the wayside.
Jason Day is the best placed Australian in a share of 17th at three under through eight holes, having dropped a shot at the par four 7th after pulling his drive into the trees.
Earlier in the day, 15-time major winner Tiger Woods withdrew from the tournament through injury. Woods was nine over and running last when play was stopped due to inclement weather on Saturday night (AEDT)
He posted a message on social media thanking fans for their support.
“I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods wrote.
“Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!”
11.35PM: TIGER SPEAKS OUT AFTER WITHDRAWAL, AUSSIE’S HORROR START
Tiger Woods has sent a thank you message to his fans after revealing he was forced to withdraw from the US Masters after reaggravating his plantar fasciitis.
Woods withdrew from the Masters on Sunday night (AEDT) just before he was due to return to the course to finish his third round.
The 15-time major winner had been in clear discomfort during the tournament and looked physically spent when play was halted on Sunday morning (AEDT) due to inclement weather.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, caused by inflammation of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes.
I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis. Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 9, 2023
Woods has struggled with injury in recent years, having barely played due to a car crash two years ago which he was fortunate to survive.
He was nine under when play was halted during the third round, running last among the players who had made the cut.
“I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods wrote on social media.
“Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!”
11.20PM: SCOTT DUNKS TWO IN WATER
Adam Scott has dunked two balls in the water at the dreaded par five 15th and walked off with a devastating triple bogey to end his minute hopes of a final day surge at the US Masters.
Scott was already 13 shots behind leader Brooks Koepka but walked off the 15th a whopping 16 shots in arrears after making two costly blunders in the space of a few minutes.
After hitting a sensational drive, Scott’s second shot spun back into the water protecting the front of the green. Scott took a penalty drop but remarkably found the water again.
He was forced to take another penalty drop and eventually walked off with a triple bogey eight. Compatriot and playing partner Cameron Smith (even) also found the water but produced a miraculous up and down to walk off the 15th green with par, staying at even for the tournament.
Koepka (-13) continues to lead the way at the top of the leaderboard, two shots clear of Spaniard Jon Rahm (-11).
TIGER WOODS WITHDRAWS FROM MASTERS
Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the US Masters.
Woods’ withdrawal was confirmed in an email from the chairman of the competition committee on Sunday night (AEDT).
Woods was running last when the third round of the tournament was brought to a premature halt due to inclement weather.
The former world No.1 and 15-time major winner had laboured to make the cut and looked in obvious discomfort as he battled through seven holes in wet and cold conditions.
“Due to injury, Tiger Woods has officially withdrawn from the Masters after completing seven holes of his third round,” Competition Committee chairman James B Hyeler Jr said.
Woods had earlier equaled the record of Fred Couples and Gary Player by making the cut for the 23rd consecutive time at Augusta National.
It was another moment in time for the 15-timer major winner. No doubt, it was bittersweet given he was in obvious discomfort.
Woods barely had time to digest the significance before reality set in. The conditions were never going to help Woods, whose body these days is held together by titanium and sticky tape. Rain and wind are the enemy.
Still, it was still a shock to look at the scoreboard when play was brought to a halt midway through the third round and see Woods in 54th place.
In other words, dead last. Woods was nine over. Through seven holes in his third round, Woods had shot six over including two double bogeys, on both occasions dumping the ball in the water.
Tiger Woods. Painful to watch. 😬 pic.twitter.com/kMV9WxViQo
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) April 8, 2023
He looked in obvious pain. His swing was stiff. His leg, injured in a car crash two years ago, had tormented him throughout the tournament.
The obvious question now will be whether Woods has played the tournament for the last time given the ongoing battle he confronts to get on the golf course.
AUSSIES NEED MIRACLE IN EXTENDED FINAL DAY
When the third round of the Masters was called to a halt due to inclement weather on Sunday morning (AEDT), Brooks Koepka was four shots clear of the field.
While much of the field must still complete their third rounds heading into the final day of the tournament, organisers must already have begun sizing Koepka (13-under par) up for the presentation ceremony on Monday morning (AEDT).
Jason Day (four under par) remains Australia’s best chance, albeit only a very slim one after a shocking day for his compatriots.
Cameron Smith (-1) couldn’t get any momentum going as his putter ran cold.
Adam Scott’s putter wasn’t so much cold as frozen as he made four bogeys before officials called a halt to proceedings with five holes remaining in his third round.
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