Master @ 21

Augusta, April 13 

The answer was emphatic. Spieth, which according to linguist Sir Nick Faldo, translates as speedy and successful in German, fired a final round 70 to win by four shots on 18 under par from Rose and Phil Mickelson and become at 21-years-old the second youngest Masters Champion after Tiger Woods. 

There is supposed to be no test in golf like the back nine at Augusta on championship Sunday. Spieth reached that pivotal point with a five-shot lead and immediately extended it to six with his 26 birdie of the week at the tenth, breaking Mickelson’s record set in 2001. Nerves? Yep Rose was definitely feeling it.

And so America has its new golfing pin-up, a young man of substance claiming his first Major at the same age as Woods announced his genius to the world. A year ago he led after 54 holes but could not hold on. Here he marched from gun to tape without looking like faltering.

When Rose applied early pressure with birdies at the opening two holes, Spieth responded with two in three. A bogey at the fifth after Spieth fluffed a chip saw the gap to narrow to three, but Rose was unable to bring the hammer down as he did on Saturday when he birdied five of the last six holes. It was too little too late from Rory McIlroy, who equalled the low score of the day, 66, to finish fourth. Once again one bad nine-hole stretch on Friday, 40 on the front, cost him his chance of a first green jacket. He played sensational golf thereafter to re-inforce the idea that Augusta must fall to him at some point.

The sense of anticipation spread like a heavy blanket across the morning.  Most of the players had either left on were out on the course.  The arrival of Rory McIlroy, out in the third last pairing with Tiger Woods, shattered the library-like hush that had settled on the piece.

We can assume the spring in his step was attributable to the victory of United in the Manchester derby. It certainly dipped the shoulders of his father Gerry, a City fan, who watched it with his son before setting out for the course. Four years ago McIlroy walked out on to the same stretch of turf in the eye of the storm. Starting ten behind he would need a lot to go right to be part of the story this day. McIlroy did not turn the scoreboard until the seventh hole, but even if he had found his rhythm early Spieth, in only his eighth competitive round at Augusta, was slowly closing the door. It was that way from the off. Calm as you like he eased a three-wood up the middle at the first. Rose did likewise. “That’ll work,” said a voice in the crowd. Rose hit his approach to ten feet. Get inside that, son. Spieth did. Rose shot first for birdie and scored. Follow that, son. Spieth did. This was more title fight than golf, Spieth trading blow for blow.

Up ahead on the second green Mickelson made his first move of the day. What a Saturday show he put on, his 67 taking him within five of Spieth overnight. There is a lot of affection for young Spieth but he is at the start of his journey. Mickelson is deeply embedded in the hearts of the nation, captain America leading the charge. An eagle out of the bunker at 15 to take him to 14 under had hearts a flutter but he still trailed by four. His reward was a share of second.

Incredibly Spieth has barely put a club wrong all week, all month, all year. Twice a winner this season already he arrived at Augusta riding a form wave that read in binary 1, 2, 2. 

Lahiri tied 49th

Anirban Lahiri drew the curtains on his campaign with a string of 18 pars to total four-over 292 to finish tied 49th. The 27-year-old had rounds of 71, 75, 74 and 72 in his maiden appearance at the event. Lahiri played his final round with Erik Compton, who has had two heart transplants. But it was Lahiri, who time and again had his heart skip a beat as he saw the ball agonisingly miss the cup or slide past it in either direction. — The Independent

Youngest Masters 

• Tiger Woods (1997) — 21 yrs, 3 mnths, 14 days 
• Jordan Spieth (2015) — 21 yrs 8 mnths 16 days 
• Seve Ballesteros (1980) — 23 yrs, 4 days 
• Jack Nicklaus (1963) — 23 yrs, 2 mnths, 17 days