BALANCE SHEET OF THE 81st MASTERS

HIGHS

FINAL DAY LEADERBOARD: There was no disguising the sense of anticipation among the patrons walking through the gates yesterday at the thought of the last two pairings. Two great players from Europe followed by two from America? Perfect. JACK NICKLAUS AND GARY PLAYER: You’d need a heart of stone not to have been moved as the two legends marked the passing of Arnold Palmer (right), their friend and rival for 60 years, with laughter and tears at the opening ceremony. AMEN CORNER: So named by a golf writer because players get there and say Amen to their chances. But, for over half my life now, this golf writer has wandered down there and only considered it an enormous blessing. EUROMEN COMETH: Skipper Thomas Bjorn’s hopes for the Ryder Cup in France in 2018 look to be in good hands after the likes of Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Thomas Pieters, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy were among those looking to have a say on the final day at Augusta.

LOWS

BAD WEATHER: The Masters is all about blue skies and warm sunshine and this year we had tornado warnings, severe storms, and chilly temperatures for two days. Thank goodness it turned nice at the weekend or it would have totally spoiled the show. DUSTIN JOHNSON: Are we going to have to start wrapping these top golfers in cotton wool? No Tiger was no real shock but losing the hot favourite was a low blow. That’s three majors in four years where the clear No 1 has pulled up lame. DANNY WILLETT: It’s always a shame when the defending champion misses the cut — Danny was the first since Mike Weir in 2004 — and particularly someone who handled his year in office so well. The good news for the Englishman is he can keep playing for 30 years. SCOTTISH SIGHS: With 11 Englishmen in the field, it would have been nice to have had something positive to report about the two Scots taking part at Augusta. But, alas, both Russell Knox and 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle failed to make the cut on Friday.