Fowler falls just short again in major

AUGUSTA, Ga. — After the final putt disappeared into the cup, Rickie Fowler waited outside the scoring room at Augusta National.

Once again, he was congratulating someone else on winning their first major championship .

For Fowler, the wait goes on.

“I was ready to go win,” he said. “Unfortunately, I was one shot short.”

This has become a familiar lament for Fowler, who lugs around the unwanted baggage as the best player without a title in one of golf's biggest events.

He had his best chance yet on a stirring Sunday at the Masters, making six birdies over the final 11 holes — including an 8-footer at the 72nd hole that finished off a 14under 274 .

But Patrick Reed had one less stroke on his card, claiming the green jacket by sinking a short but testy par putt at No. 18.

“Glad I at least made the last one to make him earn it,” Fowler said.

Jordan Spieth did his part, too, to make Reed earn it.

The 24-year-old Texan turned in one of the greatest closing rounds in Masters history, shooting an 8-under 64 that pushed him into the mix after he started the day with a daunting nine-shot deficit.

Spieth's hopes ended at the 18th hole after his tee shot clipped a tree, falling to the ground 177 yards away. He pulled off two dazzling shots to give himself a shot at saving par. But an 8-foot putt slid by the edge of hole — his only bogey of the day.

Tiger enjoys time at Augusta

Tiger Woods nearly aced a hole and made his lone eagle of the week.

The four-time Masters champion somewhat returned to form at Augusta National. It was just a few days too late to be more than an afterthought at golf's first major.

Woods closed with a flurry, recording a 3under 69 in the final round at the Masters. He finished 1 over for the tournament and in a four-way tie for 32nd.

It was far from what Woods, 42, wanted, but he left the hallowed grounds feeling better about his game than he did a few days before and more encouraged than his last few trips to Augusta National.

Woods last played the event in 2015.

“This is one of the greatest walks in all of golf,” Woods said afterward. “And I had missed it for the last couple of years. I hadn't been able to play in it, so now I'm glad I'm competing in this tournament. And to face the challenges out there, I missed it. I really did. I missed playing out here. I missed competing against these guys. Such a great event. Best (event) in all of our sport.”