2015 Masters: 21-Year-Old Jordan Spieth Wins First Green Jacket In Record Setting Fashion [Video]
Twenty-one-year old Jordan Spieth played Augusta National Golf Course this week just like Tiger Woods did 18 years ago, according to Steve DiMeglio of USA Today Sports.
Spieth torched the course to the tune of 18-under par — matching Woods’ 1997 score of 270. Spieth carried a Masters’ record 19-under heading onto the 18th hole but ended up bogeying. He becomes the second-youngest to win golf’s biggest event behind Woods.
Spieth started the day four-up on Justin Rose, who finished tied with three-time Masters’ champ Phil Mickelson for second place, at 16-under. Spieth started the day with a birdie but three-putted the second hole while Rose birdied both holes to cut the lead to three. However, neither Rose, nor the rest of the field were able to get any closer.
Spieth set a Masters’ record for most birdies with his 26th birdie of the tournament on hole No. 10, by sinking in a putt from just off the green to move back to 18-under according to Brenden Porath of SB Nation. He gave a shot back on the par-3 12th hole but essentially won the event with his performance on No. 13 according to Nick Schwartz of USA Today Sports.
“Spieth hit his drive on the par-5 to the left side of the fairway and had two choices with his approach: lay up and play it safe or try to put himself in a position to make eagle. With a four-shot lead on Phil Mickelson, no one could have faulted Spieth for taking a conservative approach.
“Instead, he landed an iron shot just a few feet past Rae’s Creek and gave himself an eagle putt inside 15 feet. Spieth missed the putt, but tapped in a birdie to reach 18-under par for the tournament.”
Spieth finished the tournament with 28 birdies and shot a two-under 70 today. He opened the tournament with a record 64 and then shot a 66 on Friday to set a Masters record for the lowest score through the first two rounds. Spieth then shot a 70 on Saturday to set the tournament’s scoring record through 54 holes.
“This was the ultimate goal in my golf life,” Spieth, who finished tied for second at last year’s event, said after being fitted with the Green Jacket by Bubba Watson. “I thought today might be easier having played with the lead on Saturday. It wasn’t. It’s the most incredible week of my life. This is as great as it gets in our sport… I’m still kind of shock a little bit.”
Mickelson and Rose finished with a 14-under 274 for the tournament. Tiger Woods playing for the first time in nine weeks closed with a 73. Woods finished in a tie for 17th at 5 under. Watson ended up 1-over for the tournament while the World’s No. 1, Rory McIlroy, finished fourth at 12 under.
[photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images]
