Jordan Spieth – Photo: JordanSpiethgolf.com
21-year-old Jordan Spieth took his place among the best in the game by winning the Masters on Sunday at Augusta, Georgia.
Spieth lost a bid to become the youngest Masters champion a year ago. This time Spieth led wire-to-wire, becoming the first to do so since Raymond Floyd last to pull it off in 1976.
Spieth never let anyone get closer to him than three shots after his record start. He closed with a 2-under-par 70 on Sunday.
Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose both tried to make a final day run. But neither could put enough heat on Spieth to really threaten him. Mickelson and Rose finished tied for second. It’s the 10th time that Mickelson has been runner-up in a major.
AUDIO: Jordan Spieth is overwhelmed with emotion :16
AUDIO: Jordan Spieth knows how important winning a green jacket is :15
Stricker finishes strong
Madison’s Steve Stricker didn’t resume practice rounds of golf until three weeks before the start of the 79th Masters. His goal was to simply make the cut and play on the weekend, which he did.
After three straight 1-over-par rounds of 73, Stricker closed with a 4-under-par 68 yesterday to finish in a tie for 28th.
Stricker birdied holes 1, 4, 6, 7, 15, 17 and 18. He bogeyed holes 3, 11 and 13.
Stricker also finished the tournament tied with Dustin Johnson for fewest putts: 106 over 72 holes for a 1.47 average.
Stricker told Milwaukee Journal Sentinel golf writer Gary D’Amato his goal is to play his way back to the Masters next year. To do so, He would have to win a PGA Tour event, finish among the top four at one of the remaining championships or climb back into the top 50 in the world ranking.
Stricker has played in 15 Masters. His best finish was a tie for sixth in 2009. He also tied for 10th in 2001.