The Masters 2023: Winner’s 71-year first as LIV rival collapses, Mickelson proves everyone wrong

The Masters winner has been crowned after a star’s brutal collapse and a blistering late charge from Phil Mickelson.

Jon Rahm has won The Masters with a clinical final round as Brooks Koepka fell apart in a brutal collapse, crushing his hopes of claiming the green jacket. 

Koepka dominated the first couple of rounds at Augusta and if he held on for victory, it would have been a huge boost for rebel golf tour LIV in its battle with the PGA establishment. 

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But Koepka could barely buy a birdie in the final round and a handful of bogies proved costly as Rahm steadily racked up the pars and birdies to reel him in and take the lead on the front nine.

A sensational approach shot out of the rough set up a birdie on the 14th hole that extended Rahm’s lead to four shots. 

Koepka finished at 8-under in a tie for second with three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, who turned back the clock with a final round of 65 to show he’s still got it.

Phil Mickelson has still got it. Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images.

It was Mickelson’s lowest final round score ever at the Masters and the lowest score in Masters history by a player aged over 50.

Phil Mickelson’s first top-10 in a major: 1993 PGA Championship.

With a top-10 today, that’s a gap of 29.5 years!

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) April 9, 2023

Despite Koepka’s collapse, it was a strong outing overall for the LIV contingent, with Mickelson and fellow villain Patrick Reed (6-under) finishing in the top six.

It’s the second major championship win for Rahm, who adds a green jacket to his 2021 US Open triumph.

The 28-year-old Spaniard has been red-hot and rock solid so far throughout 2023, and has now won four tournaments in as many months to open the season.

It’s even more impressive considering Rahm started the tournament with a four-putt double bogey on the very first hole and shanked his final tee shot on the 18th.

Jon Rahm is the Masters champion. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP.

He’s the first player since Sam Snead in 1952 to win the Masters despite making a double bogey or worse on the first hole of the tournament.

Making the Masters win even more special for Rahm, he did it on the birthday of his idol, Spanish golf icon Seve Ballesteros.

Jordan Spieth shot eight birdies in a blistering final round to finish at 7-under in a tie for fourth.

Australia’s Jason Day was flying at 9-under early on in The Masters, but fell apart over the weekend to finish 5-over in a tie for 39th place.

The Masters final leaderboard

Jon Rahm -12

Brooks Koepka -8

Phil Mickelson -8

Jordan Spieth -7

Russell Henley -7

Patrick Reed -7

It all fell apart for Brooks Koepka. Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP.

7.25am - Theory behind Koepka’s collapse

Brooks Koepka led from the first round but hasn’t shot birdie since the third round, slipping from 12-under to 8-under with a string of costly bogeys.

Koepka was on track to win his fifth major in what would have been a huge win for the rebel LIV golf tour.

But LIV only plays 52-hole tournaments, prompting many to wonder if Koepka’s collapse is because LIV doesn’t prepare him for a tense final round in a 72-hole major.

Let the discussion begin... Has playing the required 54 holes on the @livgolf_league and not 72 on the @PGATOUR hurt Brooks Koepka? #themasters

— Clint 'Bubba' O'Neil (@BubbaCHCH) April 9, 2023

Anyone have thoughts on why Koepka would have trouble with the 55th to 72nd holes? #theMasters

— Paul Egan (@paulegan4) April 9, 2023

Damn... Brooks forgot what it's like to play a real golf tournaments of 72 holes, not 54.#TheMasters

— Craig Choate (@craigwchoate) April 9, 2023

Koepka has been a flat out disaster. I know it’s the “they only play 54 holes” joke but having to play 25 today cannot be helping him. At all. #TheMastershttps://t.co/9yEGMVBA8c

— Dave Ross (@drosssports) April 9, 2023

6.45am - Epic chip gives ‘Tiger flashbacks’

Tiger Woods may have withdrawn from the The Masters but American youngster Sahith Theegala has given some serious Tiger flashbacks with a brilliant chip-in from the edge of the green at the 16th hole.

It was eerily reminiscent of Woods’ iconic chip-in on the same hole en route to his Masters win in 2005.

That Sahith Theegala chip on 16 giving us some serious Tiger Woods flashbacks. #themasters

— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) April 9, 2023

6.20am - Koepka lets lead slip

Koepka has held the lead since the first round but the wheels might be starting to fall off for the American.

He bogeyed the par-3 sixth hole after a disastrous putt and hasn’t made a birdie since the third round.

Koepka will have to find some form on the back nine to have any chance of beating Rahm, who looks extremely steady.

10.55pm - Rahm is on the early hunt

Watch out Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm is coming.

The lead was cut to two in the blink of an eye with Koepka registering a bogey as Rahm responded with a birdie.

Both men then birdied the par five eighth hole to extend the margin atop the leaderboard with Texan amateur Sam Bennett sitting in third at six under, seven shots behind.

A Sunday roar for Sam Bennett. #themasterspic.twitter.com/ZEbMblGaH2

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023

10.20pm – Woods’ dream comes crushing down

Tiger Woods’ Masters dream was crushed on Sunday after he succumbed to injury and was forced to pull the pin.

Woods had barely made the cut and was languishing last on the leaderboard when the third round was brought to a halt.

The cold and wet conditions, along with multiple delays, worked against the legendary star and on Sunday he called it quits.

“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!” Woods tweeted.

Tiger is out. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The sight of Woods limping around the course in obvious pain made for seriously grim viewing, and the inclement weather meant he would likely have had to hobble around for 27 holes in one day.

But the news he has reaggravated his plantar fasciitis now casts serious questions about if his time at the top level has run its course.

“I’m very lucky to have this leg,” Woods said before the tournament.

“It’s mine. Yes, it had been altered and there’s some hardware in there, but it’s still mine. It’s been tough and will always be tough.”

“I don’t know how many more I have in me.”

Originally published as The Masters 2023: Winner’s 71-year first as LIV rival collapses, Mickelson proves everyone wrong