It was moving day at the Augusta National as the wind took the shock of Jordan Spieth with a miserable round by the Texan as he shot an over par round for the first time at the Masters. As the Masters said goodbye to two former champions with Watson and Woosnam, the battle between the two young guns are facing their first in the last pairing at the Masters with crowds expecting something amazing to happen, perhaps running away with the lead as Rory McIlroy has yet to win the career defining grand slam.
As the battle begins between the two men who have won four out of the last six major championships since the 2014 Open championship at Hoylake, the competition between them is palpable, it is overtly physical, and it recognisable that Jordan starts well with pars and the one birdie; the lead for Jordan Spieth is extended and there is no answer from the Northern Irishman, the response seems to come from a very unexpected quarter.
Old stager Bernhard Langer at the age of 58 controls his game very well even though he is competing against opposition in their 20s. As the day wears on that lead that was evident at the break of day is slowly eradicated by the German. It is the short pitching of the young guns that is the difference on the third day, the wayward resignation of shots as the young men go to head; this is where experience will always beat youthful enthusiasm. The beautiful manicured greens almost scaring Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy leaving his putts well short of the hole
The hardest hole on the course at the tournament seems to be the beautifully stunning par 3 12th hole, it is providing the players with a struggle to make a par unless they have the mental acumen to be brave enough to take on the hole. There is no green to work with and the shortness of distance between the void and the hole is measured only in feet and stout heart.
What a last day the audience’s on both television and at the grassy arena have; Rory McIlroy looks to have thrown his chance of the famous green jacket away and with it the grand slam but it is too Bernhard Langher that the memories of fortune could be called upon in the future. With the likes of Ian Woosnam calling it a day from the greens, 58 year old Bernhard Langer is flying the flag for magnificent endeavour.
Anthony Hall