Son of the Rising Sun Reigns at the Masters

Scotty X has been playing the great game of golf for decades. When he is not missing putts he is writing stuff about why he is missing putts. Scotty changes putters more often than he changes his sheets. Rain, hail, or shine you will find him on the links lining up a shot. Losing by one stroke in the monthly medal is his bread and butter. Worrying about head movements, weight shifts, and shaft angles is par for the course for this gentleman. Nobody struggles with the transition like Scotty and no one suffers from golfer's elbow and a bad knee like this fella. If god existed he would be a golfer in this golf tragic's philosophy. There are far more than 10 commandments in the rules of golf.

The group of golfers under par on the leader board behind Hideki Matsuyama starting the final day of the Masters could not make up the ground. The damage had been done on Saturday to put these world class golfers too far back to contend without a major stumble. The race for second place was well and truly on.

They say that the Masters does not begin until the back nine on Sunday. The fact is that this son of the rising sun reigns at the Masters in 2021 and did so from day’s beginning.

Xander Schauffele 72 fought hard after a horrendous run of early holes on his front nine. Matsuyama 73 put his second shot at the fifteenth in the water, obviously too pumped on the adrenaline of the moment. Schauffele looked poised to pounce but put his own ball in the water at sixteen.

Windy Final Day at the Masters

It was a windy final round at the Masters, according to Aussie golfer Matt Jones 72, who finished at 1 over par. In the early stages of the round for the leaders, Hideki Matsuyama maintained an even par pace, Will Zalatoris ate into the lead being 2 under after seven holes, and Xander Schauffele dropped away but fought back on the back nine with birdies. Marc Leishman was 2 over after nine, Justin Rose was 1 better, and Jordon Speith was several shots over after nine. The greens were harder and faster than Saturday on this final day of the Masters at Augusta National. Matsuyama appeared to be unflustered despite an early bogey on the first hole, which he repaired with a couple of birdies.

John Rahm Posted a 66 on Sunday

John Rahm 66, the world No 3 ranked golfer shot a 6 under par final round and propelled himself up the leader board to contend. The Spaniard posted the club house lead but was too far back from Matsuyama. Young Australian golfer Cameron Smith put in a strong final round to get himself to 3 under par with some great stroke play and putting. Stewart Cink similarly performed well to be 1 under par in the tournament. Justin Rose’s 2021 Master’s performance was akin to the racehorse that goes out early to lead and gainfully tries to hang on in the closing stages. It is always a big ask to play better than everyone else over four days. Putting on these greens and needing to make birdies is a collision course waiting to happen for those chasing the leader.

Will Zalatoris, the string bean young golfer appeared to be the most determined competitor in the early chase behind the Japanese leader of the Masters. Lithe and steely, this young man looks like he will be a factor in future big tournaments on the world golf stage. Matsuyama turned 13 under par, leading by 5, and could have easily been further ahead with a couple of putts just missing. He was 2 under par on his round at this point. The Sunday walk across Hogan Bridge is a defining moment in the life of one golfer in these circumstances.

Phil Mickelson 72 finished at even par and it was a solid performance by this three time winner of the Masters. Spieth 70 finished in a tie for third with Schauffele at 7 under par. Rahm likewise finished in the first five. Marc Leishman 73 never got anything going on the final day but produced a good result overall at 6 under the card. Will Zalatoris 70 had a great tournament and finished at 9 under par for the tournament to grab second place. A son of the rising sun reigns at the Masters and his name is Hideki Matsuyama. Matsuyama finished at 10 under par to win by one from Zalatoris.