A final day battle field for the green jacket at Masters
The final day of the Masters began with the sun shining and weather conditions being perfect for a fascinating day of golf. It was the young Rory McILroy, who was leading the field after three rounds. He looked calm and happy as he was starting the day with
a four-shot lead.
All the top players in contention were in hunt for the green jacket which is presented to the winner at the Masters Ceremony.
The course was jam packed with a lot of people roaming around finding their favourite players to tee off. The first tee was surrounded with a huge crowd as they were waiting for the young, McIlroy to hit his tee shot.
Two players were paired on the final day according to their scores. Everyone knew that the man in red, Tiger Woods will be making an early charge on the leader board. As expected, there were huge roars as Woods made two birdies in the first three holes.
Spectators were cheering for Woods as he looked in superb touch. Having two early birdies and moving on the leader board, he certainly meant business on the final day.
This was an early alarm and warning for the leader, who was yet to tee off.
Finally, the pair of Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and former Masters Champion, Angel Cabrera teed off. It was the 21-year-old Irishman first on the tee to start his final day quest for the green jacket.
Rory was leading in driving distance for the week and drove the ball right in the centre of the fairway on the 1st, par-4. The spectators surrounding him applauded his drive and it was the veteran Cabrera next, who also matched Rory’s drive and
they started their final round in fine fashion.
Woods could hear huge roars and support as he looked dominant while playing his front nine. The 35-year-old wearing his lucky red t-shirt was looking all serious. Knowing his ability, everyone knew that Woods is capable of turning things around in his favour.
Having two birdies and an eagle in his closing holes on the front-nine, Tiger was already five-under as he had nine holes left. He moved up on the leader board and the players playing behind him could clearly eye his comeback.
Charl Schwartzel from South Africa, playing in his second Masters looked under no pressure at all. He made sure that his presence is felt as he birdied his very first hole. He chipped in from the side of the green which rolled inside the hole. It was a great
moment for him, as he was just three shots behind the leader, McIlroy.
Schwartzel then again hit a superb approach shot on the par-4, 3rd. It had side spin on it, as it ended inside the hole. He was then eleven-under and just one shot behind the leader, Rory. With this start, it looked like it was his day.
The 21-year-old leader did not have a great start. His round of eight-over, 80 at The Open last year, was pinching on his mind. The Irishman started-off with a bogey and was tied for the lead with Schwartzel. It looked like he was again under immense pressure
of playing at the Augusta National.
As Rory walked on the course, there were roars and claps all around him. He knew that players were making early birdies and charging on the leader board. It was his second hole, a par-5, as he looked in trouble. He managed with a short par saving putt, but
it was all nerves.
Four-time green jacket holder, Woods is known for his performance on the back-nine. On the final day, this did not happen and he only managed to finish the final round with a score of five-under par. He left the field signing his scorecard in the club house.
Finishing with a total score of ten-under, he certainly knew that he did not have any chance of wearing another green jacket.
The final day was all thrilling and exciting as the leader board was changing after every hole.
Rory’s bad luck and misery started with his back-nine. His first disaster came on the tough par-4, 10th, where his tee shot was nowhere to be seen. From thereon, he went on to make a triple-bogey which dropped him on the leader board. One could
see that pressure got to him. It was not easy for him to cope up, as he again faltered to make use of the conditions.
No one predicted that Schwartzel would be the player to look out for. He made four birdies in the final four holes to ensure his maiden career major. This was a proud moment for him and his family.
The day’s play will surely go down as one of the most scintillating finishes on the final day in Masters’ history.
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