After the third round of the Masters, I tweeted out a poll asking people who they thought would be slipping on the Green Jacket come Sunday night. Of 3,153 votes, 74% of people thought it would either be Jordan Spieth or Rickie Fowler. Only 14% expected Sergio Garcia or Justin Rose to win.
Then Sunday’s round started. And players with late tee times started to hit the eject button. Spieth and Fowler slowly slipped out of contention. After nine holes, Charley Hoffman and Ryan Moore were no where to be found. Players who started the day too far back to make a serious run were the only players making runs. The worst case scenario almost came to fruition.
https://twitter.com/jcamm_/status/851067990795853825
I would have never been able to forgive myself for putting that out in the universe on Sunday morning if Schwartzel won. Amazingly, that exact scenario would have played out, but thankfully, Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose were up to the task of playing good golf and that nightmare never became a reality. For me, Rose and Garcia also saved a really lackluster Sunday. Until Sergio made par on 13, the whole day was kind of uneventful. Sure, Kuchar made an ace on 15 to record yet another backdoor top ten and Thomas Pieters and Charl Schwartzel played good golf, but we all knew they were never really going to contend unless Garcia and Rose both collapsed.
But the Masters did what the Masters always does: it gave us an exciting ending and the final five holes plus the playoff were must-see TV.
Speaking of TV… The coverage, again, was a disappointment. I know I am supposed to be grateful that we even get the luxury of online streaming and featured groups, but the choices for those groups is highly questionable. First, how you offer Featured groups and you don’t include Phil Mickelson is mind-numbing. And second, why lock-in Friday’s groups before you even know how people play on Thursday? No one in the Willett, Stenson, Cabrerra group made the cut, and yet that is what the stream served us. The ANGC needs to be more flexible on such things. And they also need to get ProTracer on the broadcast. This is 2017, it wouldn’t ruin the experience if we got to see some shot-shapes.
All in all, it was a great week that was capped off by a heart-pumping finish that saw Sergio Garcia finally win a major. Considering his immense talent, and now that he’s tasted winning on golf’s biggest stage, this might not be the only one he wins.
The Reactions….As people do in 2017, all of his peers tweeted their congratulations. Even Tiger Woods.
What an awesome new jacket, the members of Augusta National GC gave me tonight, don't you think?😍 pic.twitter.com/grvu8ZIhi6
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) April 10, 2017
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia
Incredible battle out there. Sport in the moment can be tough. But it's just sport. Hope you guys enjoyed it. pic.twitter.com/er7OzrdTgA— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) April 10, 2017
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia. Well earned.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 9, 2017
2 unbelievable players and 2 great friends, but I couldn't be happier for @TheSergioGarcia. You deserve it all amigo!!
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) April 9, 2017
He did it! So happy for Sergio. Masters Champion #Vamos
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) April 9, 2017
Just nudged Sergio on words with friends – c'mon man it's been 19 hours since you last played me – what's taking so long @TheSergioGarcia 😂
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) April 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34/status/851216777736577025
El Niño, well done my friend what a tournament you played @TheSergioGarcia 👍🏻 vamos 🇪🇸 also great going by @JustinRose99 #TheMasters2017
— Martin Kaymer (@MKaymer59) April 9, 2017
Congrats Sergio Garcia. Picked u on Friday. Well deserved. You have given the game of golf so much!! #muchdeserved
— Chris DiMarco (@ChrisDiMarco) April 9, 2017
Well done by @JustinRose99 too! He played great but the sportsmanship between him and Sergio is what this great game is about! 👏👏👏
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) April 9, 2017
Congrats @TheSergioGarcia!! Well deserved and great playing…soak it in my man!!
— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) April 9, 2017
Great battle out there between 2 champions @TheSergioGarcia @JustinRose99
Congrats El Niño 🇪🇸Vamos!!!! #themasters pic.twitter.com/71PKouh9xV— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) April 10, 2017
And the list goes on… Congrats, Sergio. Well played, indeed.