Spieth looked to be in the driver’s seat after he took a five-shot lead into the back nine.
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“If you would have told anybody in the golfing world that Jordan Spieth, with the lead, would make seven birdies on Sunday at Augusta and loses, they would have said you’re insane”, said former world number one David Duval.
In his joyous moment, Willett’s heart went out to Spieth, whose bid for a wire-to-wire repeat win, never seen in any major, fell nine holes short with a quadruple bogey at the par-3 12th.
Spieth had a birdie opportunity on the 16th, which had he made it would have moved him within two shots of the lead with three holes to play.
Jordan Spieth, who lost a chance at history with his meltdown at the Masters, is back on top of the list of favorites for the U.S. Open.
“Big picture, this one will hurt”, Spieth said, still sounding in a bit of shock outside the Augusta National clubhouse Sunday evening after it all slipped away. The 28-year-old had been the hottest player on the PGA Tour before the Masters, winning two straight tournaments.
Willett’s wife Nicole had been due to give birth to the couple’s first child on Sunday, but Zachariah James Willett arrived early to allow his proud new father to play in the year’s first major.
“It’s just insane, just surreal”, he said. Willett also closed with a 5-under 67, with no bogeys on his card, to match the best score of the weekend.
The most compelling images came from the guy who suffered. “Fortunately enough I’ll be part of it”.
Willett became the second Englishman ever to win at Augusta after Nick Faldo did it 20 years ago. Certainly having a five-shot lead and collapsing – he’s going to have maybe some nightmares about that, certainly.
Spieth, 22, finally looked his age on No. 12. Fowler’s tee shot bounced about six feet past the hole and rolled back. “I wanted to be brutally honest with the way I felt towards him so that he could respond with what was necessary to get us to rebound”. But he couldn’t. Not even close. It’s a major. It’s the Masters.
Spieth was five shots ahead on the 10th tee and three shots behind when he walked to the 13th tee.
“I can’t think of anybody else who may have had a tougher ceremony to experience”, Spieth said.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry and US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love made the first two at the 170-yard hole and South African Louis Oosthuizen added a third when his ball struck billiards-style off that of playing partner Holmes and into the cup. But he missed the birdie putt, and when he hit into a bunker and failed to save par on the 17th, it was over.
The bottom line is, Spieth came into this Masters with less than his A-game.
Spieth, who has now finished second, first and second in his three Masters appearances, said: “It’s tough, really tough”.
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He started the final round only three shots behind, tied with Jason Day, the No. 1 player in the world, and Dustin Johnson.
