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A16 sports
Tuesday 12 april 2022
A day to remember for McIlroy, but no green jacket

By TIM DAHLBERG the Masters and McIlroy
AP Sports Columnist came up one shot short.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — For He thought he might give
the briefest of moments, Scheffler something to think
there was the smallest bit about with the final bunker
of hope. A day that began shot but by then the No. 1
with little to shoot for other player in the world was al-
than a top 10 suddenly ready adding back nine
threatened to turn magi- birdies of his own.
cal for Rory McIlroy as he What it means is difficult to
made his way around Au- quantify, as are most things
gusta National, triumphant- in golf. McIlroy felt his game
ly holing his final shot from was good coming into the
the sand for a birdie on 18, tournament and nothing
in a final round that might about losing by three shots
have won him the Masters changed that thought.
any other time. There are three majors still
This wasn’t that time be- to play this year and there’s
cause Scottie Scheffler also the tantalizing pros-
wasn’t about to cough pect of coming back here
this Masters up. Not to the to do it again — except
mullet man, Cameron maybe just a bit better —
Smith, and certainly not to next year.
a player who was 10 shots Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after holing out from the bunker for a birdie during the It’s not that McIlroy hasn’t
back to begin the day, no final round at the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. had success at the Masters.
matter McIlroy’s impressive Associated Press He’s finished in the top 10 in
golfing pedigree. seven of his 14 appearanc-
But his 8-under 64 was the On this Sunday, he had other drama, it seemed like ing eagle on the 13th hole, es but never seemed to be
lowest McIlroy has shot in to settle for a little joy as everybody else anywhere but wayward drives on the in the mix to win late on the
14 Masters. His second- his shot from the bunker near the 18th green was next two holes led to pars back nine on Sunday.
place finish was his best, dropped in the hole and celebrating, too. and he hit his putt on the And, of course, he still
too, in the tournament that the roars of the crowd re- It wasn’t a win, but in a way 16th just a little too hard to hasn’t won a green jacket
has confounded him the verberated through the it was. Eleven years after he go in. to add to his trophies from
most and is the only major towering Georgia pines. left the Masters almost in But his swing was free and the other three majors.
he hasn’t won. “That’s as happy as I’ve tears after blowing a four- easy, and his targets were “I’ve always known that
That it wasn’t enough to ever been on a golf course shot lead in the final round, precise. With no realistic I can do it,” he said. “I’ve
win McIlroy the green jack- right there,” McIlroy said. McIlroy finally had a Sun- chance of winning barring played good enough
et he probably should have “That was incredible, I’ve day to remember. a huge collapse by the around here, maybe just
been measured for several never heard roars like (that) “It’s what you dream leader, McIlroy attacked haven’t strung four rounds
times by now almost didn’t on the 18th green. It was re- about, right?” he said. “You the course like he had together like that, but I’ve
matter. There will be more ally cool.” dream about getting your- nothing to lose, making the always known that I have
Masters for the 32-year-old, So cool that playing partner self in position.” first of his six birdies on the the game to win at this
and if he can remember Collin Morikawa responded McIlroy began the day as first hole and playing bo- place. It’s just a matter of
the fearless way he played by knocking his bunker shot an afterthought and end- gey free the entire day. having that game for four
on this Sunday there should in, too, with McIlroy rais- ed it thinking he might just He thought shooting 63 days in a row and not mak-
be a green jacket in there ing his arms in celebration put a little scare into the might give him a chance, ing big numbers and shoot-
for him somewhere along like both had just won the unflappable Scheffler. He but no one has shot that ing yourself in the foot, I
the way, too. Masters. On a day with little just might have after mak- low on the final day of guess.”q

Manfred gifts players headphones as

lockout peace offering

phones and a letter signed in the U.S. and around the do to mend things this
by Manfred were left at the world. Wishing you the best spring, players told The As-
locker of each player when of luck for a successful sea- sociated Press the commis-
teams began their seasons son.” sioner could do more to
Thursday and Friday. The Manfred’s relationship with present himself as a stew-
present was first reported players has grown increas- ard of the game. At least
by The Athletic. ingly icy since he succeed- one player, St. Louis Cardi-
“Please accept this gift as ed Bud Selig as commis- nals pitcher Adam Wain-
a small gesture of my ap- sioner in 2014. wright, said he thought the
preciation for the hard At the news conference damage was irreparable.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred speaks dur-
ing a news conference, Thursday March 10, 2022, in New York. work that comes with be- announcing an agreement “To just put it bluntly, he
Associated Press ing a Major Leaguer and with the union to end this doesn’t do anything for us,”
your respect for our incred- winter’s lockout, Manfred Wainwright said. “I know
NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball offering after a bitter 99- ible fans,” Manfred wrote. admitted that he’s failed how that’s going to read,
Commissioner Rob Manfred day lockout that delayed “Thank you for everything in his role as a diplomat to so Commissioner Manfred,
gifted major league play- the start of the season. you do in a game that players and pledged to im- don’t take it personal.
ers Bose headphones on Major League Baseball has such a rich history and prove the relationship. That’s just how it looks from
opening day as a peace confirmed that head- deep meaning to our fans Asked what Manfred could a players’ standpoint.”q