Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY
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A20 SPORTS
Monday 9 april 2018
Reed wins first major title, holding off Fowler at Masters
By DOUG FERGUSON last one, make him earn it,"
AP Golf Writer Fowler said with a grin as he
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Pat- waited to greet the newest
rick Reed became famous major champion.
playing for his country. He "You had to do it didn't
won for himself Sunday and you?" Reed told him as
became a Masters cham- they exchanged a hug.
pion. "You had to birdie the last."
It was never easy, just the Spieth put up the most
way Reed likes it. unlikely fight and was on
Rory McIlroy came after the verge of the greatest
him early. Jordan Spieth comeback in Masters his-
roared to life with a final- tory. He started nine shots
round charge and briefly behind going into the fi-
caught Reed with a 35-foot nal round, and was inches
birdie putt. The last chal- away on two shots from a
lenge came from Rickie chance at another green
Fowler, who birdied the jacket.
last hole to leave Reed no His tee shot on the 18th
room for error. clipped the last branch in
Reed never flinched his way, dropping his ball
throughout a raucous after- some 267 yards from the
noon at Augusta National. green. His 8-foot par putt
Clinging to a one-shot for a record-tying 63 nar-
lead, his 25-foot putt down rowly missed on the right.
the slippery slope on the He had to settle for a 64.
18th green ran 3 feet by "I think I've proven to myself
the hole as Reed pressed and to others that you nev-
down both hands, begging Patrick Reed holds the championship trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament Sunday, er give up," Spieth said. "I
it to stop. From there, the April 8, 2018, in Augusta, Ga. started the round nine shots
27-year-old Texan calmly Associated Press back and I came out with
rolled in the par putt for a the idea of just playing the
1-under 71 and a one-shot from Butler cabin, right be- earned their respect with his 80-foot putt across the golf course and having a
victory. fore Sergio Garcia helped two big birdie putts on the 17th green hit the hole, lot of fun doing it and try to
"To have to par the last hole him into a green jacket. back nine, one crucial par keeping it only 6 feet away. shoot a low round and fin-
to win my first major, it defi- The loudest cheers were putt and plenty of grit. He He made that for par to ish the tournament strong
nitely felt right," Reed said for everyone else. Reed also had a little luck when stay in control. and see what happens, if
Reed won for the sixth time something crazy happens."
in his PGA Tour career, McIlroy, meanwhile, will
though he was best known have to wait another year
for the trophies he shared for a shot at the career
at the Ryder Cup and Presi- Grand Slam.
dents Cup. He is ferocious Trailing by three shots to
in match play, especially start the final round, he
the team variety, and his closed to within one shot
singles victory over McIl- after two holes. That was as
roy at Hazeltine in the 2016 close as he came. McIlroy's
Ryder Cup led to the nick- putter betrayed him, and
name of Captain America. he was never a factor on
Captain America is now the back nine. He closed
the Masters champion. with a 74 and tied for fifth.
"He's not scared. I think you The gallery was clearly be-
guys have seen that previ- hind McIlroy, even though
ous from the Ryder Cups Reed led Augusta State to
and the way he plays," said a pair of NCAA titles and
Fowler, who closed with a briefly lived in Augusta.
67. "He won't back down. He was met with polite ap-
I don't necessarily see him plause on the first tee. The
as someone that backs up throaty cheer was for McIl-
and will let you come back roy, and it looked as though
into the tournament. You the 28-year-old from North-
have to go catch him." ern Ireland atone himself
Fowler did his best with from shooting 80 in the final
three birdies in a four-hole round and losing a four-
stretch, and an 8-foot shot lead.
birdie on the final hole. It Reed scrambled for a bo-
still wasn't enough. Fowler gey on the opening hole.
was runner-up for the third He failed to get up-and-
time in a major. He left the down from a bunker on the
scoring cabin when Reed par-5 second as McIlroy
tapped in for par. had a 4-foot eagle putt to
"Glad I at least made the tie for the lead. q
