In a week where the most recognizable and bankable personality in golf was not only a no-show but voluntarily trapped overseas in the midst of a clearly necessary rehab stay, the sport’s ability to generate positive attention was clearly in need of rehab of its own. And under the white-hot spotlight of THE MASTERS, amidst a genuine sense of distate for how flippant the ESPN and Prime Video coverage were for its opening rounds, that need grew exponentially as the weekend unfolded.
But thanks to the efforts of one of the stars who’s been on the cusp of being transformational the overreliance and outsized attention to the antics of Tiger Woods was usurped, as YAHOO! SPORTS’ Jay Hart and Ryan Young shared early this morning:
Rory McIlroy made history Sunday at the Masters, becoming just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back green jackets.
A year ago at this time, McIlory had only heartbreak at Augusta National. Now he has two green jackets, joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only players ever to win twice in a row in the tournament’s 90-year history.
This one wasn’t handed to him. After taking a record-setting six-shot lead into the weekend, McIlroy completely coughed it up, setting up an immortal-vs.-infamy, either/or scenario heading into Sunday’s final round. Either he’d join the elite foursome or become the record-setter for the largest 36-hole lead lost at a Masters.
Midway though Sunday’s final round, it looked like it could be the latter, as Cameron Young had wrestled the lead away. And by the time he made the turn at the back, it was Justin Rose who’d vaulted to the top of the leaderboard.
But when McIlroy walked to the 12th tee, he’d regained a one-shot lead, but faced the most daunting shot at Augusta National — the thin strip of green guarded by Rae’s Creek in front. And all McIlroy did was stick it to inside seven feet, the closest all day.
It was high drama that thankfully was being captured by the old-school understatement and hushed whispers of the far more reverent CBS SPORTS team, with Jim Nantz once again masterfully orchestrating all of it in the manner that that the moments warranted.
Even more importantly, it has reignited interest and speculation in the tour as it’s created a genuine rivalry between current tour topper Scottie Scheffler, who provided the excitement the day before as he roared back into contention to set up the eventful Sunday. And with Phil Mickelson also a no-show due to a myriad of his own personal tsuris, the evolution of a new rivalry of titans to replace what is now clearly gone for good between Woods and Mickelson was all the more necessary.
USA TODAY’s James H. Williams is already salivating about next year:
McIlroy had previously admitted that he was unsure if he would ever win at the Masters, but with two green jackets in his wardrobe, he will have the opportunity in 2027 to go for his third. He would become the first golfer to reach the feat.
McIlroy mentioned after the first victory that he looked forward to coming back and presenting himself with the jacket. While he addressed that Sunday and jokingly said that he couldn’t actually present it to himself, this time he didn’t allude to the desire of going for the three-peat but stated he looks forward to coming back in 2027 and for years to come.
If there is any sanity and justice that remains in this world, both Woods and Mickelson will eventually be back as well, but now no longer need to be any more than elder statesmen, eventually seguing into the roles that Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson played on this year’s ceremonial first tee. But thanks to the accomplishments of this weekend the generation that matters most to the sport now has all the reason to return as well. And let me assure you they’ll now that much more likely to drag mine along for good measure.
Courage…