By Alex Johnson ’23
Every April the world of golf shifts its focus to Augusta Georgia, where the annual major championship known as The Masters is played. The tournament is played at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, this year’s tournament as always was filled with excitement. Excitement came with controversy as eleven LIV golfers (The PGA’s rival tour) were allowed to play in The Masters. Due to the contract that the LIV players signed, they were forced to wear their LIV golf attire which was met with disapproval from many fans and the PGA.
The first round kicked off on Thursday and by the end of the day Victor Hovland, John Rahm, and Books Koepka all shot a -7 sixty five putting them tied for the lead. One notable round was by Sam Bennet, an amateur currently playing for Texas A&M. During the summer Bennet won the U.S. Amateur which automatically qualified him for The Masters. Bennet had an impressive round of 68 putting him at -4 tied for sixth place. As the second round kicked off, Bennet shot another 68 leaving him tied for second place which is quite the achievement for an amateur. Due to inclement weather play was suspended on both Friday and Saturday. Some of the third round had to be played on Sunday morning which delayed some of the final round.
As the final round kicked off Koepka had the lead at -12, John Rahm was just behind at -9. Koepka, who had a sizable lead going into the final round, could not increase his lead and bring it home. Instead he became inconsistent and shot a +3 39 on the front nine, surrendering his lead. Rahm pounced on this opportunity and took the lead. Koepka finished the round with a 75 putting him tied for second at -8. One notable round on Sunday was three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson who made a run for it shooting a -7 65 . This was Mickelson’s lowest round in thirty starts at the masters putting him tied for second at -8. This was quite an achievement since Mickelson’s performance after switching to LIV Golf has gone downhill significantly. Sam Bennet the amateur unfortunately could not maintain a steady round on Saturday and Sunday shooting 76, 74 dropping him all the way to tied for sixteenth. As Rahm made the turn heading to the back nine he continued to hold his lead and over a few holes increased it. Rahm birdied the thirteenth and fourteenth holes and brought it home shooting a -3 69 totaling at -12 and winning The Masters. Rahm slipped on the green jacket as is the tradition of The Masters and became the fourth player from Spain to win the tournament.
