Mark Roberson at the Masters: Is Patrick Reed the champion we didn’t want?
AUGUSTA, GA — Another year in the books and the Masters certainly didn’t disappoint. At least, not for the tournament as a whole. The excitement seething through the fairways of Augusta National on Sunday was palpable. You could even taste it in the egg salad sandwiches.
While Tiger and Phil finished well outside of contention, it was the younger generation of golfers that seized the weekend. Reed, Fowler, Spieth, Rahm, and the young Australian, Cameron Smith, made up the top-5. This group combined to shoot -14 on what was an incredible back nine to witness at Augusta National on Sunday.
Yet, when the eventual champion hit his approach shot into the No. 18 green, the crowd intently watching as the ball checked up for a not too lengthy putt for birdie, Patrick Reed was startled by its reaction. The crowed did not cheer, but rather sighed.
For the starring characters of our dramatic Sunday finish the day started quite differently. Reed the eventual winner dropped a shot on the opening hole. He would struggle to stay even for most of the day. Rickie Fowler would do most of the same, only picking up one shot on the front before going four under on the back nine in pursuit of victory.
When Rickie Fowler finally wins his first major — and he will — the line of his competitors waiting to congratulate him will be so long. pic.twitter.com/lwLkroPQIh
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) April 8, 2018
Jordan Spieth, however, took off like a rocket ship. He made birdie on the first two holes and picked up five strokes on the front nine. He walked through Amen Corner adding two more shots, and would finish one off of the all-time Sunday low at the Masters, shooting a score of 64.
It may not prove to be enough to win, but today Jordan Spieth played one of the great rounds of golf you will ever see in your life. #TheMasters
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 8, 2018
The true magic came when he tied Reed at 14-under par after a near impossible birdie putt that he himself couldn’t believe he made on No. 16. The roar of the crowd could be heard all the way from 18 green, as one of the most memorable Sunday finishes to the Masters was in full-swing.
“YES!”
Jordan Spieth has come all the way back! He is now tied with Patrick Reed. #themasters pic.twitter.com/YpXPmTqhlW— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2018
Yet, Patrick Reed’s own family heard nary a roar on Sunday. According to this article on golf.com, his parents and sister were several miles away at a watch party, not invited to attend the tournament their son and brother was winning.
According to the article, Reed struggled in college having received two misdemeanors at the University of Georgia for drinking underage. A combination of his legal issues and lack of good relationships with teammates led to his departure from Athens to Augusta State, where he won two national titles. Even today he is painted a loner by other PGA Tour professionals.
These reasons, among others, cast a shadow over his victory on Sunday. Many patrons seemed uninterested in his efforts to hang on and win his first green jacket. This outsider, an unwanted Masters champion, was overlooked compared to the splendid charges of Fowler and Spieth who are two of the Tour’s most popular and beloved players.
But like all past Masters champions, Reed did his part to earn his victory. His final score of -15 was the best after the final putt rolled in on Sunday and he is now immortalized in Masters history.
With the exciting run over, Reed needed only two putts inside 20 feet to complete his victory. The crowd, who only seconds before sighed in disappointment, stood for the Masters champion in recognition of his eventual win. As he walked up to the green, the crowd applauded in celebration of a brilliant performance by a flawed performer.