Some whacky thoughts and dream scenarios
A scintillating Sunday is in store at Augusta National. A day that will thrill golf fans the world over. Who will win the 2017 Masters? That’s a very tricky question. One thing is for sure, it’s not going to be a one-horse race.
European Ryder Cup teammates Sergio Garcia from Spain and the Olympic Golf Champion, Justin Rose from England will be playing together on Sunday as they share the lead going into the final round of the Masters. They are both in search of their first Green Jacket and top the leader-board at 6-under par after a tough scoring week, just one stroke ahead of Rickie Fowler, one of the favourites with the home-crowds. More Americans in the chasing pack are 2015 Masters Champion, Jordan Spieth, Ryan Moore and the early tournament leader, Charley Hoffman all one shot further adrift at 4-under par.
Sergio inspired on Seve’s 60th birthday
Tears will surely flow if Sergio Garcia wins this year’s Masters. Victory for the Spaniard at Augusta today would be a wonderful tribute to the late, great Severiano Ballesteros, winner of two Green Jackets, who so inspired Garcia as a young boy. It would have been Seve’s 60th birthday today (9th April) providing Sergio and his bride-to-be with the ultimate inspiration to win. Incredibly this tournament is Garcia’s 74th attempt at winning a Major. Will he become the third Spaniard to win the Masters? The timing of this year’s edition couldn’t be more perfect.
A whole bunch of players are ready to pounce today at Augusta. Jordan Spieth is the man with a mission. The young Texan is busy clawing his way up the leader-board after taking a disastrous 9 on the 15th hole on day one which left him 10 strokes behind the leader. Miraculously he has fought his way back into contention after rounds of 75, 69 and 68. At just two shots off the pace now, Spieth poses a serious threat to the Europeans and could well give the golf fans a real treat today by staging one of the most amazing comebacks at the Masters.
Belgian in the Sunday mix
Belgian Thomas Pieters is enjoying a terrific first Masters. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he is one of the tallest players in the field and hits the ball a mile. He shot to the top of the leader-board on day one with an impressive score of 5-under par after ten holes and eventually finished his round in a tie for 12th spot along with the likes of former World Number One Rory McIlroy. After 54 holes, he is still right there in the mix. Playing in only his third Major, Pieters tees-off on Sunday with England’s Lee Westwood in a share of 9th, just five shots off the pace. It’s a tall order for the 25-year old Belgian talent who played his way into the 2016 European Ryder Cup team. Let’s hope the tailors of the Green Jacket have allowed a few extra centimetres for his lengthy arms, should he be crowned Masters Champion!
Olympic Champion Rose in contention
Spare a thought for defending champion Danny Willett. The Englishman missed the cut by one but cannot fly home because by tradition the defending champion has to ceremonially hand over the Green Jacket to the new Masters Champion. Let’s hope he gets the chance to mingle anonymously in the crowds and enjoy the final day’s drama. With a bit of luck he’ll see fellow Brit Justin Rose and be able to cheer him on to victory as only the third ever Englishman to win at Augusta.
Justin Rose’s Olympic Gold Medal would look rather splendid over a Green Jacket. I’m sure he thinks so too! Indeed, that would be something mighty special – Justin Rose, the first Olympic Golf Champion to win the Masters.
Have a scintillating Sunday of Masters golf!
Wendy Hoad
Scheduled television coverage on BBC 2:
FINAL DAY Live and uninterrupted coverage from Augusta:
Sunday, 9 April @ 18.30 hrs GMT. 19.30 hrs AMS. See also Ziggo Sport. Check television guides for possible changes.
PICTURED: Sergio Garcia desperately seeking his first Major victory.
