Sky Sports Golf Pundit Ewan Murray reflects on one of the most entertaining Masters to date.
He told Sky Sports: “What an amazing week in Augusta. A week we will remember for some time, and a week Danny Willett will never forget.
“At this point, I’d like to congratulate Augusta’s chairman Billy Payne and his team for providing an idyllic setting for golf’s most-anticipated event. Billy is the man who gave us back the Masters.
“There were some dull tournaments when the greens were too firm; gone were the roars that reverberate through the tall Georgia pines, gone was the excitement of birdies and eagles.
“No player could make a charge as the course dictated negative play, but Payne has moved on from those days and this year’s tournament was magnificent.
“Some will remember this Masters as the one Jordan Spieth conceded, but it would be wrong to think that.
“Spieth’s win 12 months ago was based on brilliant play combined with a lethal putting stroke. This year, Jordan should be commended for challenging for the title while at loggerheads with his game.
“The finish to round three was damaging, his long game was in disarray, yet he kept himself in the tournament all the way to the 71st hole. Only great champions can do that.
“It’s easy to shoot 66s when every department of your game is in perfect working order, but tough to grind out the scores when there are imperfections.
“Spieth’s only mental mistake was at the 12th on Sunday. Having bogeyed 10 and 11, the two hardest holes in Masters history, he gambled. His game was not in shape to do that.
“A four there would not have been disastrous, pressing after the previous holes proved to be. He would still have had the lead with two par-fives to come. Spieth is one of the most impressive young men in sport, let alone golf. He is respectful of the game’s history as he is of his peers.
“He was a fine winner last year and in defeat this year, he was just as impressive. Painful as it is right now, he will learn a great deal from his disappointment. One must remember, Jordan is not 23 until July. There will be many halcyon days ahead in his career.
“It was a privilege to see Danny Willett take the chance to win when it came. He took the Masters by the scruff of the neck and, when the door swung open, he charged through.”
