Front-runners

The stars couldn’t have aligned any better for Sergio Garcia’s first major title.

Sunday would have been the late two-time champ Seve Ballesteros’ 60th birthday. Ballesteros took a young Garcia under his wing 20 years ago and some of Garcia’s best golf moments have been with Ballesteros in the Ryder Cup.

Garcia appeared to change momentum with an eagle at No. 15. The last time a Masters champ had a back-nine eagle on Sunday was Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in 1994.

Garcia had also arrived at Augusta to find that his caddie’s bib number was 89, the same as 2016 champion Danny Willett’s a year ago and the same as Jack Nicklaus’ in his famous 1986 sixth Masters title.

Three times a Spanish golfer has led or been tied for the lead after 54 holes at Augusta National and all three times they won the title. Garcia won on the first extra hole of a playoff against Justin Rose. 1980 1999 2017 1934 1958 1963 1974 1986 1997 2004 2016 2017 Seve Ballesteros 72 J.M. Olazabal 71 Sergio Garcia 69

ATL-transplant

Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick, who finished 4-over 292 and in 32nd place, is looking for a home and golf club in the Atlanta area. He is moving to the city because his girlfriend, Lydia Cassada, is likely to get a job here.

Fitzpatrick, 22, said that there are so many nice golf courses in the area that he’ll affiliate himself with whichever one will have him.

Fitzpatrick, a native of Sheffield, England, said he might also become a fan of Atlanta United, but it would be hard to leave his favorite club, Sheffield United.

Senior moments

Fred Couples, 57, got off to a great start but stumbled in, shooting 72-289 and finishing tied for 18th.

“I don’t I played 13 and 15 particularly well. Everyone thinks you should birdie them. And I three-putted 16 four straight days and maybe one of them was a tough putt. The other ones I’ve had every year.”

The other two Champions Tour players who made the cut were 1987 Masters champ Larry Mize and Steve Stricker, who turned 50 a few weeks ago. Stricker shot 68 on Sunday and finished tied for 16th, after a second and a third-place tie in his first two Champions Tour starts.

Georgia on our mind

Georgia had the most alums in the field with four, two of therm making the cut. Georgia Tech had three, two making the cut. How they finished: Georgia Russell Henley-69-287-T11 Kevin Kisner-73-296-T43 Georgia Tech Matt Kuchar-67-283-T4 Larry Mize-76-305-52

He said it

“It’s one of those places, when everything’s going your way, you love it; and when they’re not working out, you want to take your ball and go home.” — Former UGA golfer Kevin Kisner on Augusta National.

Money talk

How have the champions’ winnings progressed through the years? An aside: 50th place this year is $27,720 or $7,720 more than Nicklaus won in 1963. $1,500 $11,250 $20,000 $35,000 $144,000 $486,000 $1,170,000 $1,800,000 $1,980,000

Majors lookahead

Sept. 21-24 Horton Smith Arnold Palmer Jack Nicklaus Gary Player Jack Nicklaus Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson Danny Willett Sergio Garcia Erin Hills, Erin, Wis., June 15-18 Royal Birkdale, Southport, Quail Hollow Country Club, Charlotte, N.C., Aug. 10-13 East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta,