The epic sports comeback that played out at the 2019
Masters, won by Tiger Woods, will take a while to settle in. The layout at
Augusta National golf course was the perfect backdrop for their four-time past
champion to add another green jacket after 14 years. Yet this was not just
about golfing greatness at The Masters, this historic win reopens discussions
about the major championships yet to come, and how the game of golf benefits those
who play it.
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| Patrick Reed slips 2019 green jacket on Tiger Woods |
Longtime
patrons of the Masters are familiar with the saying that this tournament does
not start until the back nine holes on Sunday. On Sunday March 14, the back
nine holes began right before noon time, due to threatening weather in the
afternoon that prompted early tee times. With the TV coverage beginning at 9
a.m. on Sunday morning, I know of several regular churchgoers that elected to
stay home and to watch the final round of The Masters. Those that watched the
final round were reminded how true the old adage really is, with the 12th hole
on Amen Corner providing the catalyst for Masters turmoil.
Italian
golfer Molinari held a two-stroke lead on Sunday at the Masters after playing
nearly flawless golf on Saturday. Everything changed on the short par-3 hole
with a narrow green tucked behind a large lake. Inexplicably, Molinari hit his
ball into the water and scored a double-bogey, and Tiger hit his ball onto the
green and recorded a par. This two-shot swing provided momentum that would
propel Woods to play his brand of closeout golf over the next six holes to
claim his fifth Masters title.
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| Historical data from The Masters as of 2019 |
If you
believe in fate, then you wouldn’t want this story to unfold anywhere but at
Augusta National, where the nod to proper etiquette is undeniable, and golfing
traditions are cherished. Tiger’s fifth green jacket means that he now has
separation from Arnold Palmer’s four wins at Augusta, and only Jack Nicklaus
has one more green jacket than Woods. However, a deeper look at the stats show
that Palmer won his four Masters titles in eight years, winning a title every
other year. But Nicklaus won his Masters titles over three decades, a feat that
is appreciated more today because Tiger Woods just achieved the same feat of prolonged excellence.
To view the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.
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