If you told any golf fan on Sunday morning that a man from South Africa named Charl Schwartzel would have one the Masters by the end of the day, they would have said you were crazy. Regardless, this year the Masters Tournament provided everything any fan of the sport could ask for. The weather was beautiful and the players did not disappoint by making some spectacular shots and providing plenty of drama.
Without a doubt the most intriguing story line of the tournament was the play of Tiger Woods. Ever since the collapse of his personal life, fans have been waiting for his triumphant victory at a major.
The drama of his story skyrocketed early Sunday afternoon after he posted a very impressive front nine with four birdies, one bogey and an eagle on the first eight holes. This performance had Woods tied for the lead heading into the back nine, he could not have asked to be in a better position.
Despite this early success, however, he fell apart. He bogeyed the par-3 12th hole and missed an opportunity for eagle on hole 15.
If there was one other story that dominated the Masters’ pressroom on Sunday, it was the fall of Rory McIlroy, who had a four-stroke lead going into play on the final day of the tournament.
By the end of the day, however, he had shot an 8 over par, annihilating his hopes of wearing the championship green jacket† and bringing into question his ability to perform under pressure.
Although some may say that this fall from grace could break the future of this 21-year-old professional, it cannot be viewed as too great a surprise given the fact that this was McIlroy’s first experience in leading a major tournament.
In the end, this tournament provided every golf fan with exactly what they wanted to see, spectacular golf, played under pressure and in beautiful weather on one of the best courses in the World.