Via Wikimedia.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 15, 2025 | The beautiful weekend in Augusta produced another classic Masters Golf Tournament, it’s 89th! Many fans were pulling for Rory McIlroy to win a victory which would be a capstone to his career, and he, eventually, did it! He not only won Sunday’s tournament for the first time, but took his place in golf history as the sixth player to claim the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy did it the hard way, laying back the first two rounds, having an amazing round on Saturday, then looking like he was cruising during the opening nine on Sunday, leading by four strokes.
Yet the back nine on Sunday was trouble for him, as he ended the day one over par. For a while, it looked like he would not make a Green Jacket, as he lost the lead, then regained it, only to muff a short putt on the 18th green to send the play into overtime with Justin Rose, who had led the first two days of the tournament.
But the playoff was short, as Rory hit a great second shot, landing perhaps three feet from the cup. Next, Rose blew the tournament when he missed a 20-foot putt. He has never won the Masters.
That set the deck for McIlroy. He calmly steered the ball into hole on his third shot for a birdie, fell to his knees, and who could not blame him, shed tears of relief and joy! It will go down as one of the cherished Masters stories, since this was his 17th attempt to win this championship.
In his final nine holes of regular play on Sunday, he had three birdies and two par holes, but had three bogeys and a double bogey. He also became the first golfer to win this championship with four double bogeys during the week’s play.
There is nothing like the traditions of the Masters Golf Tournament, though we must admit we have never attended. Golf as such is not my sport. But when the Masters puts on its annual beautiful show in Augusta, it is nothing less than a classic in every way, and yes, I stay glued to the television set.
The classics are wonderful, no matter the field. We like Beethoven, Brahms and Bach. Coca-Cola is another classic. Our favorite author in the classic tradition is Alexander McCall Smith. And what a classic car the MG (A) was when we owned one!
Simply put, you can always depend on the Masters putting on a great show with elegance during the first full week in April, and for the many fans watching the long, slow stalking of golfers on television. There’s always the calm, low-key analysis from the announcers. There’s the pressure building on the course as the top golfers do their best to win. And suddenly you find yourself pulling for one of those professionals to pull off a victory, someone you may not have followed much before.
The Masters always does every aspect and with such good taste.
We learned this week that attendees can go anywhere on the course they want, though for the best spots, they must get in early. And we learned that no one is allowed to have a cell phone while on the course! Good for the Masters!
We’re always sure to be entertained when watching the Masters. Bet many of you enjoyed the 89th Masters, too!
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