By: Burke De Boer Sports Editor
Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose entered the back nine tied for the lead at eight under par on the last day of The Masters, April 9.
In his 18-year professional career, the Spaniard Garcia had finished top ten in The Masters three times. His appearances in the four major championships amounted to four second-place finishes in 22 top ten showings.
But never first place.
He had led to varying degrees throughout the four day contest, but Justin Rose was never far behind.
Rose, an English national, previously won the U.S. Open in 2013 and had finished in the top ten in both of the last two Masters.
The Sunday round saw South African golfer and 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel surge from eighth place at two under par to third place at six under par.
Rose took the lead in the final day, but Garcia fought back to tie things up again. The two leaders finished the round still tied, at nine under par, and entered into a sudden death playoff.
Garcia sunk a birdie putt from 10 feet to win the playoff and secure his first majors championship.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
