This was to substitute for him not being present to fulfil his duty as an Honorary Starter for the tournament. To see Player and Nicklaus along with a twenty deep audience wiping away the tears was as touching a scene I have witnessed on a golf course.
As it turns out, this Masters was as much about the present contest as honouring the game and its past Champions. It’s one which will be remembered for the quality of sportsmanship. Whilst it was time for some to shine, you had the sense that this one was being watched over.
Tiger didn’t play and neither did the number one player, yet the show went on, not looking back at what might have been but at the task in hand; winning the Masters. Once the storm on Wednesday and winds of Thursday had passed the Georgia sun regained its warmth and the golf heated up.
There was a telling moment in the pine needles to the right of thirteen, very close to the spot where Mickelson hit his iconic iron to make eagle in 2010. Spieth found himself prevaricating with his caddy Mike, back and forth on what to do. Something he has taken a lot of stick for in the past. The debate was whether to lay up the 228 yard shot or to hit a draw off the right corner of the green. A moment of clarity occurred and Mike was asked, “What would Arnie do?” Mike replied, “Hit it right below (the hole) 20 feet.” No more conversation needed. After all, if you are going to be great, you have to hit great shots. The four iron was duly dispatched and the only blemish on the story is that he missed the twenty-eight-foot putt for eagle.
The King might not be around in body but his spirit is still enough to inspire.
Sunday was set aside to be a mouth-watering occasion with Garcia and Rose two clear and Spieth, Scott and Schwartzel, all past masters, lurking whilst jockeying for position. This contest was going to occur on Seve’s 60th Birthday. Olazabal had penned a note to Garcia, prior to the tournament, and left it in his locker saying, “You know what you have to do, just believe in yourself.” Followed up by, “I’m not sharing my locker with anybody (in the Champions Locker Room), I hope I get to do it with you.”
No pressure then. The heart said that Sergio should win, to make up for the heartaches of past Major defeats. The head said that Rose was favourite having won a US Open in the past, but if both separated from the field, put a little distance between them and the peloton, then it could become match play and these guys know how to play match play.
On the thirteenth, Sergio took on a line off the tee which was hazardous at best, foolhardy at its worst. Almost like a poker player going all in too early with the wrong hand. The ball was dispatched into a bush, left of the creek. Sergio was two behind Rose and in a bush.
But it’s here where the tournament changed its direction. It looks like the thirteenth hole is where the ghosts of Champions past live, because watching Sergio take a penalty drop and then make par, to remain two behind, was Seve reincarnated.
With a birdie on fourteen and a flag hitting eagle on fifteen, the score was tied two holes later.
The ball striking between the two was immense, the camaraderie was special to watch. But it was Rose who capitulated with a weak drive right on the first playoff hole, leaving Sergio with two putts to win from twelve feet.
Possibly the best player not to have won a Major, won a very special Major on a most special day. Olazabal’s wish has come true, whilst Arnie and Seve are looking on, nodding with approval that a worthy spirit has been crowned champion.
There is a long way to go before he can be compared to the likes of Seve or even Ollie, but at least he knows that his best is good enough. Perhaps he might start believing that his time has arrived.