The Round Table: final thoughts on the Masters
Each week we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.
After a marathon session on Sunday, Jon Rahm overtook Brooks Koepka in the final round to win the 87thMasters and notch his second major. What stood out most to you about this victory?
Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): It certainly reinforced the notion of the cream rises to the top: two of the very best players of the last half-decade separating themselves from the field. Much as I’m no fan of Koepka’s, he played darn well until the last 12 holes or so and was fairly gracious in defeat. But Rahm really showed talent, and patience, and calm (especially after that drive on 18!) and was a very deserving champion. I used to marvel at the speed of Nick Price’s swing, but Price would still be in his backswing by the time Rahm is picking up his tee!
Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): I watched the entire thing unfold. Watching Rahm, I could just tell he was going to reel Koepka in, you could see the momentum swing in those first few holes. Rahm just flat out played better the Koepka those final 36 holes and is a very deserving Champion.
Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: The wonder of the golf course and the property/atmosphere never ceases to amaze me. There were no idiotic outbursts about ‘potatoes’, everyone had their hat on frontward and the grounds seem surreal. Three distinctly different tournaments were played. The Par 3 Challenge and round one were typical spectacular Masters Golf. Rounds 2 & 3 were right out of the 1960s. The ball went 270 with a monster drive, greens speeds were about 9 to 9.5 and the wind blew the ball around as though it were made of balata. Round 4 was modern-era golf. Smash, pitch and putt. I’m not suggesting pouring rain, 40F and 30 mph wind all the time but to watch the players squeak out a score when they are contained was worth every penny.
TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): What stood out most was that nobody really challenged on the last day, the only guys that made moves were well out of contention to start the day. The conditions were tough but obviously there were scores to be made given what Spieth and Mickelson shot. Rahm was just steady and drove the ball extremely well, which took a lot of pressure off of his game.
Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: His shaking off the 4-putt start was so unlike the Rahm that joined the Tour with fire and temper. That was amazing. But so was his play on the bad side of the draw and keeping it together through the worst of the weather. That par on 18 after that wacko drive was all-world, but so was that 8-iron off the pine straw on 8. Feel lucky to have witnessed his entire performance.
Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): This was a terrific battle through very tough conditions over an extremely difficult golf course. Both Rahm and Koepka played remarkably well and were gracious sports befitting the tradition handed down by Bobby Jones and so many others. It was also a reminder that despite all the money being thrown at professional golf, there are really just four (maybe five) championships that really matter.
The media tried to make this Masters a PGA Tour vs LIV Golf battle but nothing during four days of play showed anything except the best players in the world all solely focused on trying to win a major, regardless of where they ply their trade in other weeks. In the end, a PGA Tour player took the title while two LIV Golfers tied for second and another tied for fourth. Do the results say anything or resolve anything about the bitter divide in men’s professional golf?
Deeks: Not in my view. But I do wonder what will happen when LIV Golf finally calls it quits (my guess is by the end of 2024). There will still be some guys who can play and compete, but will they be punished and not allowed back into the PGA or DP World Tours? I fully support that punishment, but I’m also glad the four majors at least give the better LIV players a chance to play against the best of the regular Tours.
Loughry: I don’t think the results of the Masters says anything other than both Tours have world class players, full stop. To say otherwise is ignorant.
Schurman: I remember going to the Masters. The huge steel gates swung open shortly after 7:00. People did what people do; they tried to walk fast and shove ahead to gain an advantage. About 100 ft inside, there was the biggest Security Guard I’d ever seen. He was much taller than I am (probably close to 7ft), weighed about 350 lbs and was built like a linebacker. All of a sudden, he said very loudly, “There’ll be no running at the Masters”. So much for decorum. You were told once; let’s not make this a habit. The players know there are certain standards that gentlemen abide by. They don’t need reminding but I’m sure many noticed Greg Norman, a major champion wasn’t invited to attend because “he might be a distraction from the golf tournament”. Augusta National doesn’t have issues that could erupt. They simply remove the problem – just ask Martha Burk.
Rule: It was surprising to me how well the LIV guys played, in particular Phil. He hadn’t played well at all in any LIV events, there was no indication he would do anything last week, so that was impressive. But then DJ, who is the best LIV player, did nothing. What it showed me in the end is that the majors need the best players in the world to play, so hopefully the two tours can ultimately work something out.
Quinn: No, this was about Augusta National and golf. All through this sordid Saudi affair, everyone has acknowledged that some of the game’s best have gone LIV. They weren’t going to become chops just because they’re wearing silly team shirts. A few of them playing well doesn’t change anything about where they get their money or where they play when not in a Major.
Mumford: If anything, it amplified the split and hammered home the point that we’ll only see some of the best players in the world four times a year for the foreseeable future. It also emphasized how special the majors are and attempts to recreate that same magic with boatloads of cash and elevated events is still a notch or two below the real thing.
Like most years, the 2023 Masters contained plenty of stories about players that underperformed or were pleasant surprises. Apart from Jon Rahm donning the green jacket, which player story resonated most with you? (Hints: Brooks Koepka healthy and contending again, Rory missing the cut, amateur Sam Bennett, Tiger making the cut but withdrawing, Mickelson finishing second, Spieth playing well once again or another player.)
Deeks: For me, all the ones you mention above resonated, with the McIlroy disappointment being perhaps the biggest surprise and, well, disappointment. But it was also terrific watching my old pal Freddie Couples strolling casually around the property, making the cut, swinging like buttah, and enjoying every moment. And one other story stuck out: Gary Player, who made some very public and disparaging comments about Augusta National, and the ranking of The Masters tournament, last week, was still welcomed back and treated with honour and respect as Honourary Starter (with Nicklaus and Watson) on Thursday morning. Fred Ridley could’ve easily just ordered Gary off the property but didn’t do so. CBS didn’t mention a word about Gary’s petulant remarks either and that’s a good thing.
Loughry: There were a few stories that stood out, but honestly Mickelson finishing T2 is pretty incredible. He hasn’t shown any fine form at all of late. A close second for me was Rory missing the cut. He has been playing some decent golf and was touted to contend, then played like a 4-handicapper.
Schurman: For some strange reason, there always seems to be ways performances are defined. Rahm was masterful and earned reputation points for gritty play, but he also won them for taking the ‘bit’ and holding onto it. The LIV guys felt they had something to prove and collectively can probably say they did. But when you watch the shots being played and see some roll 100 to 150 feet after landing 3feet from the hole or teeter on the edge of a bunker making the next shot impossible or a putt that breaks a foot right when it has to go left and then realize the recipient only needed two or three of those do the opposite for the player to win; it is a wonder more players don’t jump in front of a golf cart. Stories? You could write a book every year about the Masters and never tire of reading them.
Rule: Two players shocked me more than anyone else, and they were Phil and Rory. Rory was my pick before the week started so that was very surprising to see him miss the cut. I’m glad I don’t actually put money down on my picks! And to see a 52-year-old who has performed abysmally for the past year finish T2 was a real shocker. It was also great to see Sam Bennett play so well as an amateur, clearly the pressure got to him on Sunday, but his performance was one to be proud of.
Quinn: Without question, Bennett’s play was amazing. That was fun to watch. And it was great to see Cam Young reminding himself that he’s just a handful of swings away, and Viktor Hovland making a phenomenal run Sunday morning. Those two are so good. And so is Sahith Theegala. What a shot on 16! It must feel great that he’s got a spot at next year’s party. Friends, from the ceremonial tee shots (enough already, stop that embarrassment) to Rahm’s last putt, it was a memorable Masters.
Mumford: Koepka’s play was the most compelling to me. If you watched the Netflix series Full Swing, you would know what a tortured soul he had become when he was injured and couldn’t perform up to the level he expected. It was good to see him in contention again and that adds another reason to get excited about the remaining majors this year.
