adminAUGUSTA. – American golfer Patrick Reed held off epic final round Masters charges by compatriots Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler to capture his first major title, firing a one-under par 71 on Sunday for a one-stroke victory.
The 27-year-old US Ryder Cup firebrand outduelled three-time major champion Spieth and Fowler, who birdied six of the last 11 holes, in an emotional back-nine drama that sparked roars and thrills at Augusta National.
Reed, who had never cracked 70 in 12 Masters rounds until this week, became the fourth straight first-time Masters winner and the ninth first-time major winner in the past 10 such events, the only exception Spieth’s British Open win last year.
“It’s almost impossible to put into words,” Reed said.
In addition to the iconic winner’s green jacket, Reed won $1.98 million from an $11 million purse.
Reed, whose breakthrough came in his 17th major start, finished on 15-under 273 with Fowler second on 274 after a closing 67 and Spieth third on 275 after matching the low final round in Masters history with an eight-under 64.
Final round scores
273 – Patrick Reed (USA) 69-66-67-71
274 – Rickie Fowler (USA) 70-72-65-67
275 – Jordan Spieth (USA) 66-74-71-64
277 – Jon Rahm (ESP) 75-68-65-69
279 – Cameron Smith (AUS) 71-72-70-66, Bubba Watson (USA) 73-69-68-69, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-70-70-70, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 69-71-65-74
280 – Marc Leishman (AUS) 70-67-73-70. – AFP.
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