Masters 2023: Jon Rahm wins, Jason Day and Aussies falter, full leaderboard, scores, ending positions

So far as last days go, it was onerous to recollect one going worse, excluding in fact the numerous capitulations of Greg Norman.

Jason Day was probably the most culpable, though in his case at the very least there was an evidence. Day has struggled with vertigo at instances over his profession and whereas no-one would publicly admit it – least of all Day – it’s believed he had some points previous to his spherical.

How else may you clarify a sequence the place he had 4 double bogeys in 5 holes. Day began the ultimate day as our greatest hope. He completed it with no hope.

He started his last spherical at three beneath and signed off at 5 over. If he didn’t really feel sick earlier than the spherical, he actually did afterwards.

Having signed for an 80 – sure, that’s proper, an 80 – Day was greeted by son Sprint and spouse Ellie on the scorer’s tent and appeared for the closest exit. He was in no temper to talk to the media and who may blame him?

Hopefully we’ll see him in Australia later this yr as a result of Day has been taking part in some fairly good golf of late, excluding in fact the ultimate day on the Masters.

His first double got here on the par 4 ninth when he took 4 putts on the inexperienced, together with three from 15 ft. He then smashed his drive on the par 4 tenth thus far left he was despatched again to the tee and compelled to hit one other ball. He walked off the inexperienced with a six.

Worse was to return on the par three twelfth as Day’s tee shot landed within the tough on the fringe of the bunker behind the inexperienced. Day tried to putt the ball with each ft within the sand however it sailed previous the opening and into the pond on the entrance of the inexperienced.

He was compelled to take one other penalty shot and walked off the inexperienced with a 5. At 13, there was one other penalty shot after he pulled his drive left. Having began the day with the chance to place strain on the leaders, Day had been left of their wake and it had largely been of his personal doing.

He actually wasn’t the one Australian to wrestle. Cameron Smith couldn’t get it going and signed for a 75 as he completed the event at 4 over.

Smith had loads of unhealthy luck however he additionally had a stroke of the great things when his second shot on the par 5 thirteenth appeared destined for Rae’s Creek, solely to hit a rock and bounce again into the green.

Lastly, there was Adam Scott. He signed for a 74 as he completed at 5 over. To be honest to Smith and Scott, they had been each on the harder facet of the draw. They copped the worst of the climate on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Then once more, in addition they didn’t make hay when the solar got here out on the ultimate day. To his everlasting credit score, Scott refused to take the simple approach out and blame the climate.

“The sport is stable however I’m not placing 4 days collectively any week, not simply this week.,” Scott mentioned.

“I would like to determine the right way to have that run. I should have performed 20 or 21 holes in horrific situations and Brooks [Koepka] performed six.

“It’s an enormous distinction. However that’s the way it goes. All of it evens out, I’ve had some good breaks and my share of unhealthy ones too.”

SPANISH INSPIRATION SPURS RAHM TO MASTERS GLORY

The again 9 at Augusta Nationwide on the ultimate day on the US Masters and Jon Rahm is on the lookout for inspiration to assist him maintain Brooks Koepka and a hard-charging Phil Mickelson at bay. It got here from the heavens.

Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros, winner of two inexperienced jackets, would have been 66 on Monday morning (AEDT). He was Rahm’s hero as a child. Not only a Spanish sporting legend, however a {golfing} icon.

Requested whether or not he thought the followers had been extra behind him than Koepka, a headline act on the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, Rahm advised issues turned halfway by means of his last spherical.

It wasn’t Koepka pushing him – it was the ghost of Ballesteros.

“Even with that bogey on (the ninth), the assist was fairly unimaginable all all through, and I saved listening to, ‘Seve! Seve! Seve! Do it for Seve!’,” Rahm mentioned.

“I heard that the complete again 9. That may have been the toughest factor to manage at this time – the emotion of figuring out what it might be if I had been to win.”

Rahm managed his feelings in addition to he managed the golf ball. The Spanish celebrity romped to a 4 shot win ultimately, firing a last spherical 69 to overhaul Koepka (75) and see off Mickelson.

Australia’s problem floundered with Jason Day (80) as he battled sickness and by no means threatened. Rahm had his first Masters, his second main – he received the 2021 US Open – and is again to No.1 on this planet.

Not a foul day’s work.

“Exhausting to place it into phrases,” he mentioned.

“Clearly all of us dream of issues like this as gamers, and also you attempt to visualise what it’s going to be like and what it’s going to really feel like.

“By no means thought I used to be going to cry by successful a golf event however I obtained very shut on that 18th gap. And a whole lot of it due to what it means to me, and to Spanish golf.

“It’s Spain’s tenth main, fourth participant to win the Masters, and my second win, proper, my second main win, proper.

“It’s fairly unimaginable. And to play the way in which I did on Sunday, just one bogey in tough situations …. onerous to clarify. Loads of pleasure, and I’m actually pleased with myself and what I did.

“Nonetheless actually hasn’t sinked in but. Can’t actually say the rest. This one was for Seve. He was up there serving to, and assist he did.”

Not that Rahm wanted it. For starters, he obtained a serving to hand from Koepka, who made three bogeys on the opening 9 holes of his last spherical. The American had been working scorching till crunch time arrived. Then issues obtained shaky.

“Yeah, clearly it’s tremendous disappointing, proper,” Koepka mentioned.

“Didn’t play adequate to win.”

After all of the discuss LIV gamers storming the 18th inexperienced ought to one in every of their cohort win the Masters, it was a PGA Tour participant who obtained the job performed.

Someplace, PGA commissioner Jay Monahan was little doubt dancing a jig. He might have even contemplated doing a lap of the 18th inexperienced himself given all of the hoopla that surrounded the controversy about golf’s future and its rival factions.

Either side of the divide had one thing to crow about ultimately. Rahm received the event and three LIV gamers – Koepka, Mickelson and Patrick Reed – had been within the prime six. Let’s name it a draw.

“I imply, we’re nonetheless the identical individuals,” Koepka mentioned.

“So I imply, I do know if I’m wholesome, I do know I can compete. I don’t assume any of the fellows that performed this occasion thought in any other case, both.

“When Phil performs good, we all know he’s going to compete. P-Reed, the identical factor. I believe that’s simply manufactured by the media that we are able to’t compete anymore; that we’re washed up.”

Mickelson added: “This event isn’t about what tour you play from. There’s gamers from throughout, all around the world on many alternative excursions, and also you’re bringing the very best gamers to play in opposition to one another within the majors.

“And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what the sport of golf ought to be. There’s all the time going to be and will all the time be a spot for historic occasions like this however it’s okay to have a little bit little bit of …. selection within the recreation of golf.”

Rahm little doubt agrees.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE REACTION TO THE MASTERS AS IT HAPPENED

RAHM CALLED WIN 10 YEARS AGO

Jon Rahm is a person of his phrase.

He tweeted the under after opening a fortune cookie in 2013.

Ten years later, he’s formally a Masters champion.

9:06AM RAHM HEADS TO 18 WITH A FOUR-SHOT LEAD

Big second at Augusta! Jon Rahm has holed the most important putt of his week and can stroll up the 18th with a 4 shot lead.

He has been completely elegant at this time. He’s taking part in like the very best participant on this planet.

9:00AM: REED SET FOR ADELAIDE SHOWING

Patrick Reed has warmed up for the LIV occasion in Adelaide by storming residence within the US Masters at Augusta Nationwide.

Reed had 4 birdies in his final seven holes to complete at seven beneath for the event, adequate for a share of fourth behind chief Jon Rahm (-12), who has two holes to play.

Reed’s subsequent cease will probably be in Adelaide, the place he will probably be one of many large names on present in Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Tour.

The final time Reed was in Australia was 4 years in the past as a part of the American Presidents Cup workforce. It wasn’t precisely an pleasant expertise for the previous Masters winner – he was heckled on the first tee and his caddie was suspended after he obtained in an altercation with a member of the general public.

“I loved taking part in there,” Reed mentioned.

“It was good down there. Our workforce was in a position to go get the win, which was superior, and I’m wanting ahead to going again.”

8:37AM: SCOTT’S POSITIVE FINISH AS RAHM CHARGE CONTINUES

Adam Scott birdied two of his last three holes to finish his US Masters marketing campaign on a constructive word at Augusta Nationwide.

Scott (74), who celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his Masters victory this week, completed at 5 over for the event and was by no means in competition on the ultimate day.

Compatriot Cameron Smith (75) was one shot higher at 4 over whereas Jason Day (80) had a day to overlook as he fell aside within the last spherical.

Spaniard Jon Rahm on the way in which to his first Masters victory, main by 4 photographs clear with three holes to play.

8:34AM: ‘THIS DOESN’T FEEL LIKE A FLUKE’: MICKELSON

Phil Mickelson has produced a outstanding last spherical to maneuver into outright second behind Jon Rahm on the ultimate day of the US Masters.

Mickelson shot a shocking seven beneath par 65 to maneuver to eight beneath, 4 photographs behind Rahm, who has 4 holes to play.

Third spherical chief Brooks Koepka slid down the leaderboard and is now in a share of third at seven beneath.

Mickelson began the ultimate spherical at one beneath however had 5 birdies in his last seven holes to storm up the leaderboard.

“To return out at this time and play the way in which I did and hit the photographs once I wanted, it’s a lot enjoyable,” Mickelson mentioned.

“I’m grateful to be part of this event and to be right here competing after which to play effectively, it means loads.

“I’ve been hitting high quality photographs. This doesn’t really feel like a fluke. It wasn’t like I hit photographs I haven’t been hitting. I stayed current and didn’t make free swings or these unhealthy swings at an inopportune time.

“I stayed very current and calm all through, then executed and had a blast.”

8:15AM: CAN ANYONE CATCH RAHM?

Jon Rahm has one hand on the Masters trophy.

The Spaniard holds a three-shot lead over his nearest rival, with LIV Tour insurgent Phil Mickelson within the clubhouse at -8.

Rahm has been an image of consistency on the ultimate day and is but to publish a bogey.

In the meantime his taking part in companion and pre-round favorite to win the occasion, Brooks Koepka, is +4 and is seemingly out of the race for prime honours.

7.05AM: DAY’S UGLY MASTERS MELTDOWN

Jason Day has fully misplaced the plot in his last spherical at Augusta Nationwide. Day began his last spherical at three beneath however has dropped to a few over with six holes to play after a collection of double bogeys.

His first double got here on the par 4 ninth when he took 4 putts on the inexperienced. He then smashed his drive on the par 4 tenth thus far left he was despatched again to the tee and compelled to hit one other ball.

He walked off the inexperienced with a six. Worse was to return on the par three twelfth as Day’s tee shot landed on the tough on the fringe of the bunker behind the inexperienced.

Day tried to putt the ball with each ft within the bunker however it sailed previous the opening and into the pond on the entrance of the inexperienced.

He was compelled to take one other penalty shot and walked off the inexperienced with a 5. Having began the day with the chance to place strain on the leaders, Day has been left of their wake and it has largely been of his personal doing.

6.50AM: RAHM EXTENDS MASTERS LEAD

Jon Rahm (-11) has taken the US Masters by the scruff of the neck, extending his lead over Brooks Koepka to 2 photographs at Augusta Nationwide.

Rahm, who began the ultimate spherical two photographs behind Koepka, took the lead on the sixth gap and went an additional shot clear on the par 5 eighth after an impressive chip set him up for birdie.

One of the best Koepka (-9) may do was a par as Rahm seized management of the Masters. It guarantees to be an emotional win for Rahm and his residence nation of Spain ought to he maintain on – the ultimate spherical is being performed on the date of Seve Ballesteros’ birthday.

Ballesteros, who handed away in 2011, was revered in Spain and is considered one of many best golfers within the recreation’s historical past.

6.40AM: SPIETH MAKES HIS CHARGE

Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth has moved into outright third at Augusta Nationwide with three holes to play in his last spherical after firing eight birdies by means of 15 holes.

Spieth (-7) began the day at two beneath however had 5 birdies and two bogeys on the entrance 9. He then stepped it up with three extra birdies on his again 9 to maintain the strain on chief Jon Rahm.

Rahm (-10) retains a one shot lead over Brooks Koepka (-9), having missed the chance to extend his benefit when he couldn’t take advantage of a brief putt on the par 4 seventh.

A pack of seven has shaped behind Spieth at six beneath together with a fast-finishing Phil Mickelson, Cameron Younger and Patrick Cantlay.

6.20AM: DAY JOINS AUSSIE CAPITULATION

Jason Day has joined the Aussie capitulation at Augusta Nationwide after taking 4 putts on the ninth inexperienced on the US Masters.

Day was the very best positioned of the Australian contingent at three beneath when he stood on the tee on the ninth however any hope of placing strain on the leaders disappeared as his normally-reliable flatstick let him down.

Day hit the inexperienced within the regulation and performed a stable birdie putt to go away himself about 5 ft for par. It ought to have been a tap-in for a participant considered top-of-the-line putters within the recreation however Day’s putt caught the sting of the cup and sailed by.

He then had a 4 foot putt for bogey however watched it horseshoe across the cup. He lastly tapped in for a double bogey and dropped to at least one beneath, leaving him 9 photographs adrift of chief Jon Rahm.

Rahm (-10) grabbed the lead from Brooks Koepka (-9) on the sixth gap when Koepka made bogey.

6AM: SMITH’S MASTERS DREAM EVAPORATES

A final-ditch problem for the inexperienced jacket didn’t materialise for Cameron Smith however he might stroll away from Augusta Nationwide having benefited from the luckiest shot of the week.

Smith has struggled by means of his fourth spherical on Monday morning (AEDT) however issues may have been loads worse had he not been the recipient of some success on the par 5 thirteenth.

Smith stood on the tee on the newly lengthened gap – named Azalea – and ripped his drive into the center of the green. That gave him the prospect to shoot for the inexperienced and Smith did simply that as he appeared to ignite his last spherical.

Smith made good contact however not adequate – his ball appeared destined to land in Rae’s Creek, which guards the entrance of the inexperienced.

As Smith watched on, fearing the worst, his ball ricocheted off a rock, flew into the air and nestled again on the green.

Smith couldn’t take advantage of his luck – he walked off the inexperienced with a par as he struggled to make an impression on the leaders on the ultimate day.

5.45AM: LIV-PGA WAR HEATS UP ON COURSE

Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm are having a ding-dong battle on the prime of the leaderboard within the last spherical of the US Masters at Augusta Nationwide.

Koepka, who’s aligned with LIV Golf, and Rahm are tied at 10 beneath by means of 4 holes, Rahm closing the two-shout hole at first of the spherical when he made birdie on the par 4 third and Koepka dropped a shot on the subsequent gap.

Viktor Hovland is an additional shot again by means of 4 holes, one away from Russell Henley. The Australian problem on the ultimate day by no means eventuated as Cameron Smith and Adam Scott fell by the wayside.

Jason Day is the very best positioned Australian in a share of seventeenth at three beneath by means of eight holes, having dropped a shot on the par 4 seventh after pulling his drive into the bushes.

Earlier within the day, 15-time main winner Tiger Woods withdrew from the event by means of damage. Woods was 9 over and working final when play was stopped resulting from inclement climate on Saturday night time (AEDT)

He posted a message on social media thanking followers for his or her assist.

“I’m dissatisfied to must WD this morning resulting from reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods wrote.

“Thanks to the followers and to @TheMasters who’ve proven me a lot love and assist. Good luck to the gamers at this time!”

11.35PM: TIGER SPEAKS OUT AFTER WITHDRAWAL, AUSSIE’S HORROR START

Tiger Woods has despatched a thanks message to his followers after revealing he was compelled to withdraw from the US Masters after reaggravating his plantar fasciitis.

Woods withdrew from the Masters on Sunday night time (AEDT) simply earlier than he was resulting from return to the course to complete his third spherical.

The 15-time main winner had been in clear discomfort throughout the event and appeared bodily spent when play was halted on Sunday morning (AEDT) resulting from inclement climate.

Plantar fasciitis is without doubt one of the most typical causes of heel ache, attributable to irritation of tissue that runs throughout the underside of every foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes.

Woods has struggled with damage in recent times, having barely performed resulting from a automotive crash two years in the past which he was lucky to outlive.

He was 9 beneath when play was halted throughout the third spherical, working final among the many gamers who had made the reduce.

“I’m dissatisfied to must WD this morning resulting from reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods wrote on social media.

“Thanks to the followers and to @TheMasters who’ve proven me a lot love and assist. Good luck to the gamers at this time!”

11.20PM: SCOTT DUNKS TWO IN WATER

Adam Scott has dunked two balls within the water on the dreaded par 5 fifteenth and walked off with a devastating triple bogey to finish his minute hopes of a last day surge on the US Masters.

Scott was already 13 photographs behind chief Brooks Koepka however walked off the fifteenth a whopping 16 photographs in arrears after making two expensive blunders within the area of some minutes.

After hitting a sensational drive, Scott’s second shot spun again into the water defending the entrance of the inexperienced. Scott took a penalty drop however remarkably discovered the water once more.

He was compelled to take one other penalty drop and finally walked off with a triple bogey eight. Compatriot and taking part in companion Cameron Smith (even) additionally discovered the water however produced a miraculous up and all the way down to stroll off the fifteenth inexperienced with par, staying at even for the event.

Koepka (-13) continues to cleared the path on the prime of the leaderboard, two photographs away from Spaniard Jon Rahm (-11).

TIGER WOODS WITHDRAWS FROM MASTERS

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the US Masters.

Woods’ withdrawal was confirmed in an e-mail from the chairman of the competitors committee on Sunday night time (AEDT).

Woods was working final when the third spherical of the event was dropped at a untimely halt resulting from inclement climate.

The previous world No.1 and 15-time main winner had laboured to make the reduce and appeared in apparent discomfort as he battled by means of seven holes in moist and chilly situations.

“On account of damage, Tiger Woods has formally withdrawn from the Masters after finishing seven holes of his third spherical,” Competitors Committee chairman James B Hyeler Jr mentioned.

Woods had earlier equaled the report of Fred {Couples} and Gary Participant by making the reduce for the twenty third consecutive time at Augusta Nationwide.

It was one other second in time for the 15-timer main winner. Little question, it was bittersweet given he was in apparent discomfort.

Woods barely had time to digest the importance earlier than actuality set in. The situations had been by no means going to assist Woods, whose physique nowadays is held collectively by titanium and sticky tape. Rain and wind are the enemy.

Nonetheless, it was nonetheless a shock to take a look at the scoreboard when play was dropped at a halt halfway by means of the third spherical and see Woods in 54th place.

In different phrases, useless final. Woods was 9 over. By seven holes in his third spherical, Woods had shot six over together with two double bogeys, on each events dumping the ball within the water. 

He appeared in apparent ache. His swing was stiff. His leg, injured in a automotive crash two years in the past, had tormented him all through the event. 

The apparent query now will probably be whether or not Woods has performed the event for the final time given the continuing battle he confronts to get on the golf course.

AUSSIES NEED MIRACLE IN EXTENDED FINAL DAY

When the third spherical of the Masters was referred to as to a halt resulting from inclement climate on Sunday morning (AEDT), Brooks Koepka was 4 photographs away from the sector.

Whereas a lot of the sector should nonetheless full their third rounds heading into the ultimate day of the event, organisers should have already got begun sizing Koepka (13-under par) up for the presentation ceremony on Monday morning (AEDT).

Jason Day (4 beneath par) stays Australia’s finest probability, albeit solely a really slim one after a surprising day for his compatriots.

Cameron Smith (-1) couldn’t get any momentum going as his putter ran chilly.

Adam Scott’s putter wasn’t a lot chilly as frozen as he made 4 bogeys earlier than officers referred to as a halt to proceedings with 5 holes remaining in his third spherical.

Initially printed as Masters 2023: Jon Rahm secures emotional win at Augusta Nationwide, Jason Day leads Australian capitulation