There's an old saying that The Masters doesn't begin until the back 9 on Sunday. That adage might never be more accurate than it was today. A back nine collapse by Jordan Spieth helped open the door for Danny Willett, who capitalized and captured the 2016 Masters Tournmanent for his first ever major win.
Spieth birdied his final four holes of his front nine to get to -7 and held a five-shot lead heading to the back nine. Having led for seven straight rounds in The Masters dating back to last year, Spieth appeared ready to run away with the his second straight Masters Tournament. And then the first few holes of the back nine happened. Spieth bogeyed his first two holes and took a quadruple bogey after hitting two balls into the water on No. 12.
Willett started the day at even par, three shots back of Spieth. Willett posted an incredible 67, and went -3 on the back nine. Willett is the first Englishman to win The Masters since Nick Faldo did it for the third time in 1996. The 28-year old had never finished in the Top 5 at a major and had finished T-38th in his only other Masters appearance.
Willett wasn't even sure if he was going to play in this year's Masters. His wife's due date was today, but she gave birth to a son on March 30th and Willett made the trip to Augusta National.
Despite the disaster on No. 12, Spieth did everything he could to comeback. Spieth birdied No. 13, No. 15 and No. 16 to get within two shots. However, Spieth couldn't pull off an incredible rally and finished tied for second.
Willett wasn't the only player who made a late run at the title this year. Lee Westwood was one shot back after 15 holes thanks to an eagle chip-in, but couldn't catch Willett and finished -2. Dustin Johnson, who was at even par entering today, rallied after an early double-bogey, but a double-bogey at No. 17 ended his chances. He finished at -1.
Highlights:
Willett's Final Putt
Danny Willett is in the clubhouse with a two-shot lead. This might be the putt that wins #TheMasters. pic.twitter.com/JDjBs2Zmwz
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 10, 2016
Spieth's Disaster On 12
Jordan Spieth was in the lead at #TheMasters, until he hit two balls in the water on No. 12 to fall to 4th place. pic.twitter.com/H3FRM0kA7b
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 10, 2016
Dustin Johnson Has No Fear
Brave shots win #majors & @DJohnsonPGA played a great one @TheMasters Can he catch @Danny_Willett ? pic.twitter.com/FRL8t6cPl0
— PlaneSWING Golf (@PlaneSwingGolf) April 10, 2016
Routine Hole-in-one Bank Shot
Watch @Louis57TM make a hole-in-one off J.B. Holmes golf ball on No. 16 #themasters https://t.co/gQUlT7t62K
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 10, 2016
Westwood chip-in
Watch @WestwoodLee chip in for eagle on No. 15 to move within one stroke of the lead. #themasters https://t.co/ufFbsz7LmR
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 10, 2016
One Bounce And In
Watch @BillyHo_Golf hole out from 88 yards for eagle on No. 8. #themasters https://t.co/XzKaQWLJRi
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 10, 2016
Leaderboard:
1. Danny Willett (-5)
T-2. Jordan Spieth (-2)
T-2. Lee Westwood (-2)
T-4. Paul Casey (-1)
T-4. J.B. Holmes (-1)
T-4. Dustin Johnson (-1)