This year’s Masters truly reminded us of what an epic Sunday battle means. Sergio Garcia edged Justin Rose for his first major victory.
The 2017 Masters truly lived up to hype, even with world number one Dustin Johnson out with a back injury plus Rory McIlroy and Jordan Speith’s struggles.
We saw Sergio Garcia finally snag his Major in an instant classic against Justin Rose which made which made this year’s edition one to remember.
Final Leaderboard:
1. Garcia -10
2. Rose -8
3. Schwartzel -6
T4. Kuchar-5
T4 Pieters -5
6. Casey -4
T7 Chappell -3
T7 McIlroy -3
T9 Moore -2
T9 Scott -2
The moon on a stick. ? pic.twitter.com/RwBB4RYHwj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2017
FINALLY!
Sergio wins his first major! #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/b7vOtVHgFb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2017
Final Day Recap:
The day stayed out pretty dull before Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose took the course in the final group. Both were at six-under par heading into Sunday.
Garcia got the upper hand early with a couple of birdies to put him at eight-under. But some bogeys and Rose birdies flipped the script putting Rose at eight-under and Garcia at six-under heading to the back nine.
Garcia, who has been competing in majors for close to 25 years, has been a runner-up to rival Tiger Woods so many times. He needed this win more than anyone else.
The back nine is where the instant classic of a duel went down. Garcia made a birdie to keep pace heading out of the Amen Corner.
The wait is over! ??? #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/zF5TxCFlFI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 9, 2017
On the 15th hole, Sergio drained a 20-foot eagle to take the lead, but that only lasted a moment and Rose nailed a birdie putt to tie things up again.
Rose birdied the 16th hole, giving him a one-stroke lead heading to 17. But Garcia wasn’t done yet, Rose bogeyed the 17th hole and Garcia birdied to set up an epic 18th hole.
As the sunset at beautiful Augusta National, it set the stage for a classic finish.
Rose and Garcia both hit their tee shots on the fairway about six yards apart. Rose’s approach shot kicked off a ridge by the fringe and rolled to 12 feet away. Garcia one-upped him and hit his shot to six feet.
The crowd was on its feet as the players made their way to the green, realizing they have seen the beginning of the special ending.
Rose just missed his birdie putt underneath, visibly upset knowing he missed not by much. Garcia had one six-foot putt to win, but missed to the right and tapped in for par to set up a playoff.
Final scores at #TheMasters
1. Garcia, -9*
2. Rose, -9
3. Schwartzel, -6
4. Kuchar, -5
4. Pieters, -5
6. Casey, -4*Winner in a playoff pic.twitter.com/BBIxu5TDWC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2017
There it is.
The Green Jacket.#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/VHkfWyYz6Z
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2017
They replayed the 18th hole. Rose his tee shot into the pine straw and faced a tough second shot with trees in front of him. Garcia drilled his tee shot on the fairway. Sergio for the second straight hole was in control.
Rose played his second shot smart and hit a soft one into the fairway. His next one he placed on the green about 15 feet away.
Garcia made no mistake and hit a gorgeous approach shot to about 12 feet away.
Rose two-put and gave Sergio a chance at redemption. He only needed one putt to put a quarter decade of disappointment behind him.
A Masters moment we'll never forget.
Sergio Garcia wins a major championship. ??? pic.twitter.com/wg6LyhGVOE
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2017
The dream is real. ?#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/Mp7wflwhjX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2017
Two. Holes. Left.#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/WOzxNL9jFq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 9, 2017
Masters Sunday at its finest.
BOOM! ??? pic.twitter.com/WkDM9w4Q7W
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 9, 2017
