Greenie wins green jacket
Since 1934, millions of people have put aside the first full week of April to relax and watch the Masters. Though golf may lack the popularity of basketball or football, sports fans gather to see who will take home the green jacket. Only 99 of the best golfers in the world qualified for an invitation to this year’s Masters, and the hunt for the unappealing sport jacket left few disappointed.
The Masters never fails to produce exciting moments and stories. From Tiger Woods’ slump busting performance to Jack Nicklaus calling a hole in one then backing up that statement at the par 3 contest, we’ve been spoiled as an audience. However, those stories pale in comparison to the triumphs of 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth.
Jordan Spieth was 3 years old when Tiger Woods, at 21 years 3 months and 14 days, won his first Masters in 1997. Woods set the mark for youngest Masters winner ever. In that same tournament Woods also happened to set the record for lowest score in Masters history with a 270.
On Sunday, Spieth’s age was 21 years 8 months and 16 days. He also shot a record tying 270 to take home his first green jacket.
During the time of the 2014 Masters tournament Spieth, would not have been able to step foot in a bar here in Oregon. In that tournament Spieth earned himself a second place finish behind two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Three years prior, Spieth was an intricle part in the University of Texas NCAA championship run, shortly after he turned 18. His play as of late has earned him the No. 2 spot in the world behind Rory McIlroy, Spieth’s elder at 25.
These younger golfers seem to be dominating the game today, but it may say something that the No. 1 player in the world has never won a green jacket. The level of difficulty it takes to win the Masters is incalculable to an everyday golfer, and a victory at the Masters definitely holds its weight when talking about the best players in the world.
The level at which Spieth played throughout the tournament lead him to make a push for just about every record the Masters has to offer. He was the first wire-to-wire champion (hold the lead at the end of each of the four rounds) since Raymond Floyd in 1976. He also holds record for lowest 36-hole score in Masters history with a 130, as well as reaching the lowest mark at any point in Masters history at 19 under par.
At 21, Spieth now stands beside names like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan as a Masters champion and green jacket winner.
I wonder if the Masters told Spieth he’s only allowed to keep his jacket for a year before they they take it and retire it to a locker It’s probably for the best. At 21, he might wear it out to a date, and not even the Masters winner looks good in that jacket.
Past 10 years Masters champions
Total score
2015- Jordan Spieth (USA) -18 270
2014- Bubba Watson (USA) -8 280
2013- Adam Scott (AUS) -9 279
2012- Bubba Watson (USA) -10 278
2011- Charl Schwartzel (ZA) -14 274
2010- Phil Mickelson (USA) -16 272
2009- Angel Cabrera (ARG) -12 276
2008- Trevor Immelman (ZA) -8 280
2007- Zach Johnson (USA) +1 289
2006- Phil Mickelson (USA) -7 281
2005-Tiger Woods (USA) -12 276
story by: Jack Spencer