Grand finale at Augusta National, in one of the most boring Masters in recent years. Bubba Watson makes an encore and prevails for the second time in his career over his rivals with 280 strokes, 8 under par, winning head-to-head with the very young Jordan Spieth, who started like a rocket in the first seven holes. Fourteenth Adam Scott, defender champion, who fails to snatch the world number one position from Tiger Woods, but only takes a few more steps closer. Fiftieth Francesco Molinari, the only Italian left on the field, after Matteo Manassero's missed cut.
But let's go back to the news. The confrontation between Watson and Spieth in the final 18 holes is a sort of match play that Bubba never loses control of.
At the one tee, both lead the standings to -6, then the "rookie" (it's his first Masters) hits a series of birdies, including a spectacular pocket from the bunker at 4, which put him in the lead. At the 8th tee Spieth stands on the leaderboard at -8, while Bubba is still at the starting point: -6.
The tournament seems decided and the whole golf world, for the umpteenth time in recent years, breathes a sigh of relief: Hosanna, Tiger's heir has finally arrived! He is perfect because he is only 20 years old, has a ravenous will to win and the ability of great champions to make the ball dance on the greens while everyone else's hands are shaking.
The dream of Spieth and the public almost vanishes on the 8th hole: bogey from the 36-year-old and birdie from Bubba, who turns 9 in May. At 4 o'clock there is a rude awakening: the Texan misses the green at the long par XNUMX and does not pocket the putt, Watson hits a new birdie. The situation is reversed and Jordan loses the green jacket that already seemed to flutter around him like the cape of the new golf superhero. Confidence goes away and with it that bit of luck that is always needed to win.
Bubba conquers his victory inch by inch, dominating the entire game, thanks to a devastating long drive and a deadly putt. The cocktail is perfect for Augusta, which is a long and difficult course, with impossible greens.
In the end Watson outdistances his opponents by three strokes: first at -8; second, on an equal footing, Spieth and an extraordinary and mature Jonas Blixt, Swedish, first of the Europeans in the field. Bubba seems calm, but it's only self-control because after pocketing the last putt he bursts into tears on his caddy's shoulder and then in the arms of his wife and little son Caleb who looks around in amazement.
The Augusta National is a beautiful course, but a little crazy, with that mania for perfection, those greens designed to drive players crazy, those flowers and those pine needles that couldn't even be more beautiful and orderly if they were drawn. Bubba is also a slightly crazy champion: with the fuscia drive, the attire worn like a schoolboy, the shirt buttoned up to the neck, the slightly haunted eyes under the brown mop.
And above all an inexplicable swing: the good Sky sports commentators try to study it without success. It is evidently a gift from heaven, in fact Bubba is a man of faith and has decided to rely on God rather than any coach.
As for the rest of the ranking: in fourth position we find a very great Miguel Angel Jimenez (284 strokes, -4), with his 50 years, belly and cigar; followed by Rickie Fawler, Matt Kuchar, collapsed under the weight of four putts on hole 4; Lee Westwood. In all, only seven players under par. Also worth mentioning is a great old man like Bernard Langer, 57 years old, winner in 1985 and 1993, tied for eighth with the favorite Rory McIlroy. Twenty-first Fred Couples at +2.
Second green jacket therefore for Bubba, who joins the group of twenty players to have won the Masters more than once.
At the top of the World Golf Ranking something changes, but not as much as expected: Bubba, with the points collected in the first major of the year, rises to fourth, but Tiger still remains in first place, although his advantage is getting thinner and thinner. His pursuers, for the first time forced to prove their worth and not play on the counterattack, melted like snow in the sun at the Augusta National: 14th for world number two Adam Scott, tied with number three Henirk Stenson.
The assessment of the first Masters without Tiger in twenty years is difficult. The last 18 holes were beautiful, but the first 54 rather boring, because everyone seemed disoriented and lost, with no man to beat, no rival to prove their worth. It is inevitable that TV ratings (as many as 200 connected worldwide) have dropped. Spieth gives hope, but he doesn't seem ready to take center stage every time.
