Jordan Spieth arrived on the 10th tee with a 5-shot lead after closing out the front nine with four straight birdies. I think everyone thought that the 22-year-old could have closed out the round using only his putter and he would still take home the green jacket, thus becoming the youngest player in the Masters era to claim three majors.
That did not happen.
Spieth scored a 7 on the par 3 12th hole, a hole that in the prior three rounds took him only eight shots COMBINED. His collapse has been paralleled to Arnold Palmer giving up a 7-stroke lead back in the 1966 U.S. Open. You have to go all the way back to the Lyndon B. Johnson administration to find a comparable meltdown.
To add insult to injury, Spieth had to put the green jacket on eventual winner Danny Willett, a 28-year-old Englishman, and stand around for the pageantry. He looked generally uncomfortable.
Jordan Spieth had to put the green jacket on Danny Willett and it was painfully awkward https://t.co/eZhBxDeF3O pic.twitter.com/gOzE8T9LQG
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) April 11, 2016
No one enjoyed Spieth’s collapse more than Willett’s brother, P.J., who was live-tweeting his brother’s journey to victory, while taking jabs at Spieth in the process. P.J.’s tweets began trending on Twitter during the match and added a toothpick in Spieth’s shit sandwich.
Spieth is lining up his putt. If I'm quick I can get a beer, go to the toilet, and paint the spare room b4 he hits it.#TheMasters #bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Come on. Come on. COME ONNNNNNNN.
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Come on, Danny. You beaut genius. COOOOMMMEEE OOONNNNNN#TheMasters #bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Unbelievable, Jeff. I'm not keeping it together. COOOOOMEEEEE ONNNNNN X#TheMasters #bbcgolf pic.twitter.com/AcE2KrPvvz
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
If the boy does what he should, I will be able to say 'I've shared a bath with a Masters winners – brilliant#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
My boy has got massive bollocks#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Stand still you pricks#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Just. Hit. The. Green… Please.#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
3 putt this & you might as well stay in America.#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Green makes you look fat, refuse the jacket.#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Spieth, you've won one before, wind your neck in.
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Just downed in one. Work will understand. Behave yourself, Spieth.#bbcgolf pic.twitter.com/Dtcu0bzhVo
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
2 birdies from slowpoke and I'll eat my pants.#bbcgolf
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Speechless.
I once punched that kid in the head for hurting my pet rat.
Now look.#bbcgolf #TheMasters
— P.J. Willett (@P_J_Willett) April 10, 2016
Congrats to Danny Willett for his improbable win. Jordan, keep your head up bruh, you’re 22 and rich as fuck. You’ll be back.