Chasing history
Spieth's record comeback falls short
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Masters winner Patrick Reed said he was glad Jordan Spieth “ran out of holes’’ in Sunday’s wild final round. Spieth, who appeared en route to making Masters history, wishes he didn’t have to play the 18th.
Spieth’s tee shot on the 18th hole ticked a tree and knocked the ball straight down, leaving him too far away to reach the green in two shots, which cost him a chance to make birdie, which he needed to catch Reed, the eventual Masters winner.
The 2015 Masters champion who nearly won in 2016, Spieth was 14-under at the moment and bogeyed the final hole to finish in third, two shots behind Reed at 13-under after shooting 8-under 64.
Spieth began the day nine shots behind Reed, yet when he birdied the 14th hole to get to 14-under he tied for the lead and looked like he might set the Masters final-round scoring record and shoot 63 — or even better.
“I look back, and, man, I did everything right,’’ Spieth said. “From where I was two or three weeks ago [struggling with his putting] to now has been probably the most successful couple of weeks I’ve ever had in my career.
“To be able to have a chance to win this tournament five years in a row is really, really cool. That’s how I am go- ing to take today.”
The greatest Masters comeback ever came 62 years ago, when Jackie Burke Jr. charged from eight down to win the green jacket.
Spieth, who unlike Reed prefers not to look at the leaderboards, said he had no idea where he stood when he stood on the 18th tee.
“The first time I saw the leaderboard was after I tapped in on 18, honest to God,’’ he said. “I didn’t look once today. That was my plan going in. I’m nine back. Go out and just have fun. Don’t worry about the golf tournament itself, worry about playing Augusta National.
“I heard roars. I knew somebody was playing well. With eight people ahead of me starting the day, to get that much help and shoot a fantastic round was nearly impossible. But I almost pulled off the impossible.’’
Rickie Fowler, who shot 67 and finished second to Reed at 14-under, marveled at what Spieth did Sunday. But he wasn’t surprised.
“You come to learn that you have to expect just about anything out of him,’’ Fowler said. “You never know, and don’t be surprised if he pulls something off. That’s just Jordan.
“It was cool to see him up there putting on a run. Jordan is fun to play with. He’s fun to watch.’’
Unless you were Patrick Reed trying to protect his Masters lead.