The 2025 Masters.. Results
I can only describe the final outcome, of a Masters Sunday that had more twists and turns than Agatha Christie's immortal Murder on the Orient Express, as Relief for Rory, at long last.
By now you know, he is the sixth member of the exclusive Grand Slam club, along with Jack, Gary, Tiger, and before them Hogan and Sarazan.
You've seen him sobbing, brought to his knees in front of a sold out crowd chanting his name, by 14 years of frustration and failure on the greens, hills and swales of Augusta National, when he managed to trickle in that 3 foot putt that made us all hold our breath, he had missed so many.
However let's get it straight, Justin Rose in his 20th Masters led after 36 holes, surrendered that lead with a Saturday 75, but like the Gold Medal Olympian that he is, like the clutch putting Ryder Cup star that he is, like the US Open champion that he is, he went out on Sunday afternoon, while all eyes were on Rory and DeChambeau, and made 4 birdies on his front nine with 2 bogeys for 34.
His back 9 was the stuff of Masters lore, 6 birdies (11,12,13,15,16,18), more than enough with the round of the day -6 66 (shared by Matsuyama) to win his first Masters at -11, where he stood on the practice ground as the leader, while his life long friend, and Ryder Cup brother in arms was stickhandling his way to disaster, again, with bogey's at 11,14 and the wedge into Rae's creek at 15 for a double, his wheels had come off !
Agatha would have been delighted as, Rory continued the plot, with a brave bounce back birdie with a soaring hooked 7 iron that ran right up to the flag at 15, and a better one at 17 to rescue his chance with just a par at the 18th !
However his misery, and for all those watching, was to continue as his 5 footer curled away for bogey, it was too much to bear.
My thoughts as he kissed his daughter Poppy and his wife as he pluckily marched on to the 18th tee playoff was that at least it was with his friend Rosie, they greeted each other with respect, not big hugs, after all everything was on the line.
Once again, get this straight. Rosie thumped yet another perfect drive up 18 and his wedge in almost hit the flag, it was so good as it rolled 12 feet past.
Rory with one more great drive had a gap wedge from 125 yards which he later said he knew would land on the hill and roll back down, and boy did it ever, to 3 feet. It was deafening !.
It was time for the final drama, as Agatha's famous detective, Poirot, was about to reveal the murderer(s).
Rosie lined his putt up from all angles, and struck another beauty, straight to the hole, only to deceive him and slide just by history, to the right.
Now Rory, again, and as he stood, a nervous wreck, with only a regular tap that seemed all to possible to miss under the circumstances. but in it went.. the waiting was over..
I watched Rosie, the English gentleman that started this journey in 1998 as a 17 year old amateur at the Open with his wonderful pitch in from 55 yards at Royal Birkdale to finish T3 that made world wide headlines, took off his cap and embraced Rory warmly, although his heart must have been broken.
I would be remiss not to include our Corey Conners in this story. He had a great week, in the top 3, 68 70 70, and at -8 he had only DeChambeau at -9 and Rory ahead of him on Sunday morning.
Not a great start with bogey's at 1,4 but 2 nice birdies at 7,8 for E 36, and considering what Rory was doing he was still in contention at the turn.
However he did not get it going on the back nine, 3 bogey's for 39, a 75 good for T8.
He has played the golf of his life over the last month through Florida, and Texas before this week, he can only keep trying to take that last step at Augusta after 4 top 10's. He won another $588,000 this week !
Nick Taylor who was happy to make the cut, finished T40 73 71 74 73 +3 worth $88,200
Oh yes, I wrote about the villain of the story, Bryson DeChambeau certainly had his moments, especially the 48 footer across the 18th late on Saturday to get into the final pair with Rory.
He went out in 37, but his chances like so many before him ended with a double at the 11th and a bogey at 12. Although he fought back, another bogey at 17 saw him in with 38 and a 75 to T5.
Patrick Reed was 3rd -9 and of course there was Scottie Scheffler to hand out the Green Jacket, 4th with a closing 69 -8.
For all the final results and prize money click on my link above.
What a week, what a Sunday and yes finally, what a champion !
Bryan Angus
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