Masterful

Snow. I know that snow has been a recurring theme lately. But every time that I go to write it snows I am in my newly claimed "office/golf room" that I've waited some 4 years to have and now it is slowly becoming a reality. Sure it needs a little decorating but it's a nice little haven for me away from other areas of the house. A perfect setting for writing. As I gaze around I see my staff bag, my new Titleist (Canada) stand bag, a pin flag/scorecard from Harbour Town Golf Links when I played at the home of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage Classic. Last but not least there is my Big Moss Augusta putting mat where I can work on my stroke using Train Your Aim, Eyeline Golf, HoleOut Pro and/or Spakesology. Speaking of Augusta... wasn't thee a little tournament down in Augusta, Georgia?

The Masters really did se some exciting times. There was no shortage of drama, tough conditions and magic. Looking back on the last 4 days there were so many highlights that it makes it real tough to pick out a few and focus writing this editorial on them. So where does one begin? We could actually go back to the Par 3 Contest held on Wednesday that was eventually won by Jimmy Walker by scoring a 19 on the 9 hole course. Really? A 19 that was actually backed by an Ace and a score that as good as it was never rivaled the score of deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jung-Il (-38). Aces were wild and aplenty that day as Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas both aced the same hole playing in the same group. Aces were also had by Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Smylie Kaufman, Andy Sullivan, David Lingmerth and 80 year-old Hall of Famer Gary Player. A total of 9 Aces were recorded and that would be the beginning of the fun.

As the first round was played there were some terrific scores posted but none were better than defending champion Jordan Spieth. When Jordan Spieth went -6 after the first round all that I could think of was :here we go again". However, the second round on "Cut Day" the conditions were tough as the winds howled and the field felt it's wrath. As Spieth continued to lead the course aided by the wind kissed many notables "good riddance".as players like Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Graeme McDowell, and Branden Grace bid Augusta National adieu for another year. Also not making the cut was Hall of Famer Tom Watson whom played his last competitive round in Augusta. Thanks for the memories Mr. Watson. For the record, I had selected 4 of these players in a Masters pool. Oops!

"Moving Day". If one thing sums up Moving Day I guess it felt a little bit like "Back to the Future" as "Father Time"turned the clocks back... to around 1985. In a field that was dominated by "twenty somethings"it was a former champion that would steal the headlines/ Germany's Bernhard Langer won The Masters in 1985. In a move that nary a few would have ever imagined the timeless 58 year-old Langer would play cold and steely finding his way not only onto the first page of the leaderboard but teeing off real late Sunday. I am certain that I was one of the many that was pulling for Langer to work some "Masters Magic". Unfortunately it wouldn't be the case.

Photo Credit: pgatour.com

Sunday would prove to be a mix of magic, wonder and "shock and awe". There's a term that I haven't used in some time. As the name Langer quietly went away there were a few names emerging and catching our attention. Almost forgotten about, Dustin Johnson was lurking and so to were the likes of Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, J.B. Holmes (whom I nearly forgot was even playing), Hideki Matsuyama and Englishman Danny Willett. For the first time in history a defending Masters champion lead from wire to wire te year he won and then the following year thru 54 holes. just an absolute testament to Spieth. I admit that I thought Spieth had everything in hand and he was sort of cruising along at -5. In fact, I was pretty sure that he would win that I walked the dog, did the dishes and then made dinner. but then something magical happened in "Amen Corner". In fact the Par 3 12th Hole named "Golden Bell".happened. Now when I used the term magic earlier usually magic implies a really good thing. Sometimes however, magic can be "black" and bad things happen. This is exactly what happened to Spieth on the 12th. "Black Magic". Without reliving his misery I wouldn't be a good writer if I failed to mention that his the shot ended up in the water and then consequently his shot following the drop. Legend Jack Nicklaus once said that the 12th at Augusta National is "the most dangerous Par 3 in the game".

Photo Credit: espn.com

Spieth's quadruple bogey saw a 3 shot lead seemingly disappear into a 1 shot lead for the aforementioned Willett. In what many describe as a meltdown for Spieth it shows that these things can happen to the best in the world. Many will say for the ages that Willett never won the 2016 Masters but more like Spieth lost it. The fact is that Willett played a Bogey-free round of golf Sunday. He showed good length off of the tee using his Callaway Golf XR16 driver and his game was really sound on the Sunday at The Masters en route to a 67. Firing a 67 and staying around all weekend was plenty good enough to win. In my opinion, as much as adjectives like meltdown and collapse are going to be thrown around the fact remains that the 28 year-old Willett played a great round of golf and very much deserved the win. For those that are unaware of Willett, he has played great golf on the European Tour with a few victories along the way.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Out of the darkness can come some light though. Getting back to Spieth (and I apologize if this editorial seems to be more about Spieth than Willett's victory). So much can and has to be said of the events leading to tonight. No matter how analysts and pundits alike will dissect what happened to Spieth there is one thing that can be said. If there is a golfer on the PGA Tour that exemplifies class and grace in defeat it would be Spieth. There is no doubt that this "whatever it was" will sting and hurt Spieth for some time. But the way that he handled himself afterwards truly makes him a champion. For those currently on tour or kids coming out of college turning professional. If you want to see and learn how to conduct yourselves than please do golf a favour and look at Jordan. No nonsense.. no tirades just a matter of fact respectful kid.