Wire-to-Wire Win for Spieth at Masters


After opening with rounds of 64 and 66, Jordan Spieth never looked back en route to victory in the 79th Masters. The 21-year-old from Dallas closed with a 2-under 70 at Augusta National Golf Club to finish at 18-under 280, tying Tiger Woods' all-time record set in 1997 and winning the first major of the year by four strokes.

Spieth carded six birdies and four bogeys for his second straight 70 over the weekend. After establishing new Masters' records of 130 for 36 holes and 300 for 54, he could have set a new 72-hole total. But after finding the pine straw right of the par-4 18th fairway and then firing his approach to the front of the green, he couldn't get up and down for a par for a 269 total.

But that final blip didn't matter. Following his tap-in bogey, Spieth almost looked surprised before hugging caddie Michael Greller and then wading into the crowd to embrace his father, mother, brother and girl friend.

The preternaturally calm Spieth said afterward in Butler Cabin before being fitted with a new green jacket by last year's champion, Bubba Watson, "It was very nerve-wracking all day. Didn't sleep at all last night."

As for what it was like to be atop the leaderboard at the conclusion of 72 holes, Spieth added, "It was the greatest week of my life, to see some putts go in, to hear those roars, it was incredible.

"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."

Particularly rewarding was having his family greet him beside the 18th green, the first time they were on hand for any of his previous PGA Tour victories. The three-time winner noted, "It was really cool to share that with my family. I'm excited to be the reigning Masters champion."

Spieth, who will move up to second in the world rankings behind No. 1 Rory McIlroy, became only the fifth wire-to-wire winner in Masters' history, and the second-youngest champion overall (behind Woods). Despite being chased by some of the planets best players, no one got closer than three shots to him throughout the final round.

The previous players to lead from start to finish in the Masters were Craig Wood in 1941, Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972) and Raymond Floyd (1976). Spieth also carded 28 birdies in 72 holes to set another mark, besting Phil Mickelson's 25 in 2001.

Spieth's playing partner Sunday, Justin Rose, posted a 70 to finish tied for second at 274 with Mickelson (69). It was Lefty's 10th runner-up in a major.

Alone in fourth was McIlroy, who matched the low round of the day, a 6-under 66, while another stroke back and trailing Spieth by seven was Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who also shot 66.

Two Brits, Ian Poulter (67) and Paul Casey (68), tied for sixth at 280 with Dustin Johnson (69), while sharing ninth at 280 were Hunter Mahan (67), 2007 Masters' champion Zach Johnson (68) and Charley Hoffman (74).

After firing his lowest round since last July, a 4-under 68, on Saturday, four-time Masters' champion Woods struggled on Sunday to a 73. On his second shot from pine straw at the ninth hole, Woods hit a tree root and grimaced. "(Hand) joint kind of went out of place but I put it back in," Woods said of the injury later.

"I didn't know there was a tree root there. I drilled the club straight into it. It didn't move, but my body kept moving. There's a little joint that popped out, and I was able to somehow put it back in, which didn't feel very good.

"At least I got it back in; I could move my hand again. It's sore. I'm not going to be lifting any weights for a while."

As for his play this week, the 39-year-old added noted he's made a remarkable comeback. "Considering where I was at Torrey (Pines, where he withdrew after re-injuring his surgically repaired back) and Phoenix (the week before where he posted an 82 in the second round to miss the cut) and the swing changes, I'm really proud of how I did."

Three-time Masters' winner Mickelson put up a valiant fight all day, carding four birdies, an eagle when from a bunker on the par-5 15th, and three bogeys. "I played a good, solid round of golf today, but I needed something exceptional.

"I just got outplayed," added the 44-year-old. "Jordan played terrific. He's a quality individual. I thought 14-under at the start of the week would win. But 18-under was just outstanding."

Commented Rose, "I felt I was in the tournament from the word 'go,' but I just couldn't get it done. Normally, 14-under gets it done." The 2013 U.S. Open champion impressed with Spieth, saying, "Phenomenal; he's just so comfortable with the lead."

McIlroy, who was seeking his third straight major title after winning last year's British Open and PGA Championship and rose into contention with a 68 and 66 over the weekend, said of his performance: "I played well. Obviously pleased with how the weekend went. Going to take a lot of positives out of it.

The Ulsterman tipped his cap to the new champion. "It's awfully impressive," added McIlroy, who won his first major - the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional by eight strokes at the age of 22. "It's nice to get your major tally up and running at an early stage in your career. It's great to see, great for the game, and I'm sure there will be many more."

After opening with two 71s, Watson, who had won two of the previous three Masters, shot 73 and a 74 over the weekend to end up tied for 38th at 1-over 289.

Spieth showed amazing talent at an early age, matching Woods' record of being the only two-time winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur and leading the Texas Longhorns to a national championship as a freshman.

The youngster said Sunday evening that, with his victory at the Masters, he has realized one of his career dreams. "This was the ultimate goal in my golf life."

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