Jon Rahm is the 2022 Masters champion, shooting a final round 69. Rahm overcame Brooks Koepka on the final day to win his first Masters title and his second overall major.
“This one was for Seve. He was up there helping, and help he did”
Jon Rahm
After two days of play it appeared to the casual fan that Brooks Koepka was locked in and unstoppable at 12 under par. But Rahm had also gotten off to a great start at 10 under par himself. On Saturday both players shot 73.
However, there was a huge difference in that Koepka had teed off early in the day and was in the clubhouse when steady rain blanketed Augusta National. At that time Rahm was just teeing off on the first hole. Eventually play was halted for the day which meant that half the field would have to finish round 3 on Sunday morning.
When round 3 was finally finished on Sunday the final group was set with Rahm and Koepka. At the start of play Brooks had a 2-stroke lead (Rahm -10, Koepka -12).
“What is going on on the outside is not always a reflection of the inside, I was calm. I never got frustrated. I never really felt like anything was out of control. But obviously you’re nervous. There’s tension out there.”
It didn’t take long for Jon Rahm to flip the script and by the eight hole he held a 2-stroke lead over Koepka. From that point on, Rahm showed why he is the best player in the world and shot a 34 on the back nine to claim the Green Jacket.
“To play the way I did on Sunday, only one bogey in difficult conditions and coming in with a margin of (four shots) is hard to explain. A lot of pride, and I am really proud of myself and what I did.”
The Past Champions Always Show Up
Phil Mickelson
Three-time Masters champion had the most noteworthy performance at the 2023 Masters golf tournament. On the final day of the tournament, he shot a 7-under 65 that catapulted him into a tie for second place. Mickelson birdied seven of the final 13 holes to take the clubhouse lead and give Jon Rahm something to think about as he started his back nine.
Mickelson is now 52 years old and has not been playing well recently. However, none of that mattered this past weekend as he caught fire on a familiar course, he has Mastered over the past 25 years.
“Today is hopefully a stepping stone to really kick-start the rest of the year and continue some great play because I have a unique opportunity, 52, no physical injuries, no physical problems, being able to swing a club the way I want to, to do things in the game that not many people have had a chance to do later in life.”
Phil Mickelson
Jordan Speith
Like so many other players in the field, the 2015 Masters Champion had a rough day in the rain on Saturday afternoon shooting 76 and taking him out of contention. But that did not stop him from catching fire on Sunday and posting and incredible 6-under 66. Playing alongside Phil Mickelson the pair combined for 16 birdies total on Sunday.
Patrick Reed
Coming into The Masters Reed had posted a second-place finish in the previous weeks LIV Golf event in Orlando. The 2018 Champion had a solid week at Augusta posting scores of 71, 70, 72 and a 68 on Sunday earning him a tie for fourth place. Unfortunately for Reed two bogies on the back nine sunk any chances to challenge Rahm.
Goal set, goal achieved
Fred Couples
At 63 years old Fred became the oldest player to ever make the cut at The Masters.
“I am excited to make the cut. That’s why I come here that’s my objective, and I did it.
“I’m going to try and compete. I can’t compete with Viktor Hovland or Jon Rahm or anybody, but I can compete with myself, and that’s really why I come. That’s what I like to do, is make the cut here at an older age.”
Fred Couples