I like underdogs. Always have. That is a big reason why I was happy to see Sergio Garcia put the green jacket on. I didn't have a favorite player of all the final round contenders so any of those guys would have been a fine champion for me. As the tournament unfolded however Garcia became my guy. Apparently the Patrons felt the same as they gave him a big roar when that last putt dropped making it official.
Because Sergio has been a very good player for so long, I guess you could make a case that it was just time to get his first Major. Was it a coincidence that it came on the day that would have been his idol Seve Ballesteros' 60th birthday? Was it a coincidence that the only other player to eagle 15 in the final round and win was another countryman Jose Maria Olazabal? I can't speak on that but it was pretty cool.
There is no question that there were a lot of very good players in contention as the final round started as each of them set up and propelled their opening shots from the first tee. It was game on as they began to duel it out on the manicured fairways at Augusta National.
The announcers were saying, anyone within a handful of shots, even 5 or 7 back, could get hot and win. As good as one single player was in past years and how he once dominated and how we marveled at his talent, it was great to see a field of players fight for the coveted trophy.
Now, as the final round unfolded, things did not go well for all of the top contenders and as opportunities were missed and shots were dropped one by one they fell out of contention. The tournament was boiling down to the final pair of Justin Rose and Garcia. Rose looked solid while Sergio had a few hiccups, but he was hanging in there.
And then...and then...they got to Amen Corner.
I was texting with a friend during the round and as things were playing out I admit I jumped the gun. When Sergio's tee shot hit that tree limb and kicked left and into the base of an azalea bush I thought that would be the end of his chances. I texted "He's done." I couldn't have been more wrong and I should have known better. I've been watching this tournament for more years then I'm going to admit to and...well...I just should have known better than to make that call.
Garcia did exactly what he should have done instead of letting the emotions of the moment take over. Besides had he attempted to hack at the ball in that bush, how would that sit with the grounds crew and members of that beautiful place? How dare he do that?
But seriously folks, there was no other realistic option because there was a minuscule chance he could have hit safely out of there even if he could have gotten a club on the ball. Why risk potentially dumping it into the hazard? That would have brought something like a nine into play. He smartly and coolly accepted the situation and he skillfully punch the ball out to the fairway and valiantly made a par out of nothing.
Generally par on the 13th hole in Amen Corner on Sunday at The Masters isn't going to help your cause when you are in contention.
The back nine on Sunday at The Masters rarely goes conservatively by the book and it is often said that the tournament doesn't start until the back nine on Sunday. Once you survive 10 and 11 the real fun starts at the par 3 12th hole. From there a whole scenario of things can happen between it and the par 3 16th, with a very accessible traditional final round pin placement.
So we had Garcia in the trees and taking an unplayable lie and Rose sitting pretty. It looked like a two shot swing for sure. Maybe that's what filtered through Roses mind, just for a fleeting second. As a top player you try not to let those things get into your head, but we are all human. You never want to take anything for granted playing this game but you have to agree that Rose was in a very good position to grab this tournament by the throat and take control.
With the two pars on thirteen I wonder that as they both walked to the 14th tee if one player had his spirits uplifted a bit and the other saw an opportunity missed? It could be that hole is where The Masters was decided this time around even before the eagle that just fell into the side of the cup on 15 for Sergio? Of course there was no question that leaving 15 the eventual winner was on adrenalin overload while Rose had to be back on his heals a little.
To his credit Rose didn't crack. Sixteen and Seventeen certainly didn't go as planned for either player but the result took the final pair to 18 tied. You all watched it unfold and the playoff and it was just fitting that Sergio drained the birdie putt to seal the deal.
Looking back at the tournament as a whole, who could maintain a dry eye with the Arnie tribute on the first tee for the ceremonial opening tee shots. And who didn't have a little voice inside hoping that 57-year-old Fred Couples could muster up some youthful energy and give us some real magic?
I also have to make a comment about the people who phoned in that they saw Garcia's ball move after his drop on the 13th hole. They are not golf fans in my opinion and I echo a comment I read from a story on another site that said they should be banned from watching golf.
All things considered this had to be one of the best Masters tournaments.
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