Twenty-one-year-old Jordan Speith won the 2015 Masters, becoming the second youngest player ever to do it in Augusta, Georgia at Augusta National Golf Club in April.
Speith finished four ahead of second-placed Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson; Mickelson finished with a closing score of 69 and Rose finished with 70. It was the 10th time Mickelson was runner-up in a major. Rose and Mickelson were making a run down the stitch, but then Speith scored a birdie. A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole.
Speith had a halfway total of 14 under par on Friday that broke Ray Floyd’s record in 1976, and a 54-hole effort of 16 under par, which was also a new best.
Freshman Ritik Bedi said, “It’s great to see a man as young and mature as Speith to win such a great event like the Masters.”
Speith went into the final round with a four-shot lead, closing off the game with a total of -18 and tying Tiger Wood’s scoring record. He also beat Mickelson’s Masters record of 26 birdies for the week. His 28th birdie, at the 15th hole, made him the first player to reach 19 under at the Masters.
He also set two records for hole scores: he got a 130 on the 36-hole score, which tied the lowest score in a major and lowest in Masters history, and a 200 (-16) on a 54-hole score, which is the lowest in Masters history. He also set a record for being the youngest 18 hole leader and 2nd lowest opening round in Masters history.
Freshman Austen Poye said, “It’s amazing to see how a man as young as Speith can set so many records in one game.”
Speith was the first player in 39 years to lead a Masters from start to finish. After that win, he won for the third time on the PGA Tour and fifth time worldwide. Now, he ranks second in the world.
Speith said that his autistic sister was key inspiration: “I miss her a lot, and I wish she could have been here,” he told CNN, “but I can’t wait to get back to her and maybe let her try on the jersey.”
Woods tied for 17th on six under closing with 73. He hurt his wrist playing out of the pine trees, but scored an eagle (a score of two under par on any individual hole) at the par-five 13th hole. Woods has won four Masters (1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005).
Rory Mcllroy shot 66 and finished fourth for his best Masters finish. Defending champ Bubba Watson tied for 38th after closing with 74. Paul Casey finished with 68, Ian Poulter with 67, and Dustin Johnson with 69.
The winner gets a traditional green jacket with the Masters’ logo on the corner, established 81 years ago by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones. Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters wins with 6.
Why do you think Jordan Speith will be the next great golfer?