It’s now been a couple of years since golf’s great schism, and the person most at the forefront of the split has been (sorry Phil) Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman took a principled stand at the start, defending the PGA Tour against the Saudi-sponsored LIV breakaway league. For turning down a truck of money backed up to his house, he got a knife in the back from his own tour, as the PGA secretly began negotiations after getting into a hive of trouble with monopoly laws and the endless wealth of the Saudi’s to fight court battles.
On top of being the face of moral golf, he was fighting his own internal battle against the expectations of greatness hoisted upon him by means of the 4 major championships he collected in his early-to-mid 20’s. Many close calls, both at Augusta to win the career Grand Slam (all 4 majors) and at other majors clearly affected him, and his win on Sunday was a true triumph of fortitude for one of the game’s easiest to root for characters.
1) Resilience
Golf has been said to be 5 separate games in one: the long game (shots over 100 yards), the short game (shots within 100 yards), putting, physical fitness, and the mental game. While each might be 1/5 of the game for the Average Joe, when it comes to winning the biggest tournaments the ratio changes dramatically. These guys are so good and own their swing to such a degree that when they are on, they can go somewhat on autopilot. But the pressure that the leaders face on the back 9 of the final day of a major is entirely something else. I’d say the game becomes 80% mental – how you handle the roar of the crowds, the charge of other players, your shaking hands, and the couple of inches between your ears.
One of the hardest things to forget, in life as well as sport, is when things go wrong in high pressure situations. It becomes a sort of trauma, bad memories flooding back the next time you end up in a similar situation. This can easily compound over time, the same hurdle proving too tough to overcome, or become a self-fulfilling prophecy, losing the belief that hurdle can be overcome. This phenomenon plays out across all aspects of life, and make it oh-so-satisfying when you see someone finally conquer their demons.
I could spend pages dissecting every shot Rory’s final round roller coaster, but others can do that better. What is incredible is the amount of times Rory beat back the narrative that he couldn’t close a major in ONE ROUND ALONE! So many times he seemed down and out: after the opening two holes, after his awful flip wedge into 13, and after his self-inflicted error on 18 landed him in a playoff with a scorching hot Justin Rose. Yet, when the dust settled, there he was putting on the coveted Green Jacket. Good for you, Rory!
Embed from Getty Images2) A Narrative Flipped
Bryson DeChambeau, LIV lighting rod, golfing mad scientist, and noted friend of the president, drained a bomb from just off the green on 18th hole Saturday to pull to within 2 shots of Rory. This set the stage for a dramatic Sunday duel with the backdrop of their US Open battle last year, their opposing golf tours, and even their beliefs.
Amen Corner, that dramatic stretch of holes from 11-13, put a twist in the narrative by spelling the end of DeChambeau’s chances. All of sudden, new characters were needed to fill the void. Justin Rose, early round legend and 2017 runner-up, stepped up by producing an all time performance, with an absurd 10 birdies on his Sunday scorecard. The final par he carded was on hole 10! Fearless up-and-coming Swede Ludvig Aberg also had something to say, charging into contention with steady play for the first 16 holes before it all fell apart. Rose’s charge did not. His made a spectacular putt for birdie on 18 to put all the pressure on McIlroy, and played a solid hole in the playoff as well. He just happened to be beaten by an even better shot by McIlroy.
One has to feel for Rose, who was never the main story but deserves note. He has had a long career playing solid golf, and owns a major of his own (the 2013 US Open). He has come close to many more majors, but ultimately has been left on the fringes of discussions of the best golfers of his generation, perhaps undeservedly. He seems like a nice guy as well and I hope he keeps putting himself in contention.
Embed from Getty Images3) Past Champions Leave a Mark
One of the special aspects of the Masters is that past champions can compete until they no longer wish to. The moments where aging champions either tap out for good or turn back the clock for one final charge are always riveting.
This Masters, we said goodbye to Bernhard Langer: the greatest senior golfer of all time, the last man to win a major with a Persimmon wood, and a man who has been competing at a high level for so long that he was the one who draped the green jacket over Jack Nicklaus’ shoulders in his final win in 1986. The wily German held off Father Time longer than most, contending well into his 50’s at the 2016 Masters. And in his final one, he almost made the cut! A big shout out for a man who actually grew the game (big side-eye at you LIV!).
Fred Couples, balky back and all, continued to play ball as well. The man who contended multiple times in his 50’s has entered his next decade of life but is still breaking records: he came close to breaking his own record for oldest man to make the cut. His spectacular eagle from the fairway on 14 on Thursday was one of the highlights of the week.
Capping off this list is Z-Jay – Zach Johnson. Criminally underrated with 2 majors in his career despite being an extremely short hitter, he posted a smooth top-10 while closing in on his 50th birthday. The 2023 Ryder Cup captain deserves more credit than he gets for his extremely good course management and squeezing the most out of his capabilities, despite the distance he gives up to the young bombers.
4) Watch Out For Scottie
The world number 1 admittedly didn’t have the sauce this week, as he works his way into form after an uncharacteristically tough start to his season. It has to be pretty reassuring to have your “B” game and still finish 4th at the first major of the year.
It has been easy to get accustomed to his easygoing greatness (and fun footwork on his drives) that him not being unconsciously brilliant is mildly surprising. He has come the closest of anyone to approaching the otherworldly dominance (and incredible mug shots) of Tiger in the early 2000’s. Maybe the most dangerous prediction in golf is “only a matter of time before he wins another major” but barring injury or mirroring Tiger’s off-course problems, I feel safe saying he snags another one this year.
Embed from Getty Images5) Verbal Shots Fired at the Gentry
The best off-course moment of the week happened on Sunday, when Jordan Spieth did one of the funniest things possible. So, a little backstory: Augusta National is one of the most exclusive clubs in the entire world. Playing the course will remain out of reach for 99.99% of the population, limited to powerful, wealthy figures and their connections. The membership are EXTREMELY proud and protective of the image of the course, a pristine and perfectly manicured oasis (and a jarring contrast to the struggles outside the gates in the town of Augusta).
The broadcasters have strict rules they need to follow to uphold this image: fans are called “patrons”, the rough is called the “second cut”, and “second nine” is used instead of back nine. Broadcasters who refuse to toe the line are banished, as Gary McCord found out in 1994 when he was permanently banned from the Masters booth for saying the greens were so fast they must have used bikini wax on them. It was a hilarious line, but The Powers That Be did not agree and he bid adieu from the Masters.
So those running Augusta National get a little twitchy when it comes to criticism of their club, their course, and their tournament. In steps 3x major winner and 2015 Masters champion Spieth, who came in off the course Sunday a little peeved to say the least. His gripe? Mudballs. Getting mud on your ball will lead it to act in ways you don’t want on a golf course with extreme hazards such as Augusta, and he felt they are a big problem. He decided to let the world know about it, too, by deciding not to talk about it (emphasis on NOT!)
You see, talking about it openly is a huge no-no. Any perceived barb at the club would not be tolerated. But Spieth came into the press tent prepared. And I’ll just let the quote itself do the talking:
“My iron play killed me the last two days and, to be brutally honest with you, it was primarily mud balls. It’s just so frustrating because you can’t talk about them here. You’re not supposed to talk about them.”
An absolute masterpiece. Hats off to you, Jordan.
Breakfast Balls
Grandpa and I watched most of the toir
Grandpa and I watched most of the tournament. It was a great finish. It brought make many great memories the time you went with him !!
Great write up
Thanks Matt – looking forward to replying to yours about Wawona in the coming days!
Your write up of this years Masters was excellent. You brought out all the emotions players experience while trying to capture the 5 majors that is inside and outside the game. Thanks for highlighting Rory’s solo war against the LIV as well as the PGA’s lack of courage continue to battle the financial giant.
The Huddle House will be our memory forever!
Grampa
Long live the Augusta Huddle House!