Golfer Danny Willett will fly home to celebrate with his family on Tuesday after becoming the first Briton to win the US Masters in 20 years. The 12th at Augusta is probably one of the most picturesque golf holes in the world, and now, until redemption can be earned, it will be viewed as a bloody battlefield for Spieth.
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After his win, he said: “You can’t really describe your emotions and feelings”.
In Spieth’s grace and humility in defeat, I think he’s well on his way to getting over it, and that’s a good lesson for us all. “Fortunately enough, today was my day”, added 2007 English Amateur champion Willett, who is the son of a vicar.
“I told Mike (Greller, Spieth’s caddie), ‘Buddy, it seems like we’re collapsing, ‘” Spieth said, holding back those tears we all hoped wouldn’t come.
He said: “The more you say it and things like this happen you start to realise just what we did and everything that’s going to go with it”.
Upon losing, Spieth kept his head down and hands in his pockets, looking as if he had just seen a ghost, as he walked towards Butler Cabin for the passing of the jacket. The early delivery meant Willett did not have to skip the Masters.
Last summer, American Pharoah came to Saratoga as the first Triple Crown victor in 37 years. “You talk about fate…it’s just been a insane, crazy week”. And a couple of hours after that, he was draping a green jacket over Willett’s shoulders in one of the most brutal handovers in the history of the tournament.Oosthuizen, who lost to Jason Day in the final of the WGC-Match Play last month, saw his tee-shot trickle down the green and nudge the ball of partner JB Holmes, which was already close to the flag, out of the way on its way to the hole. Willett’s victory also sent him into the world top 10 at number nine after entering the week ranked 12th.
He said: “Jordan Spieth’s collapse on Saturday evening, when he had a bogey and double bogey in his final two holes, that really opened the door for about 15 guys the next day”. “Pretty sure I’ll be disappointed with that one”.
“Yeah, it’s going to take a while, I think”.
“I would not be surprised if he knows exactly how many Majors Rory has won and he will want to get up there and past Rory’s tally”.
After three rounds of gusting winds, players were greeted by the coldest temperatures of the week but the calmest conditions as Sunday’s final round began with an abundance of compelling possible storylines in the melting pot. “That would be fantastic”, Willett said after a flawless 67 ensured he took advantage of Spieth squandering a five-shot lead with nine holes to play.
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The 28-year-old Yorkshireman, whose wife Nicole was 28 on Sunday and gave birth to their first child, Zach, last week, was button-holed by the legendary former Manchester United boss at his post-victory party. Though he did well to rebound with birdies on both par-fives, the 13th and 15th, he also bogeyed 17 after bunkering his approach and was never able to catch Willett, who picked up shots at the 13th, 14th and 16th to give himself a cushion.
