Relentless Patrick Reed managed to hold on to a one-shot lead to claim his first major golf title – The US Masters.
Reed – listed as the world 24 – toughed out his lead after starting the day three shots ahead of Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy was desperate to add the Masters scalp to his other championship wins to complete the grand slam. But it wasn’t to be.
McIlroy’s chase for the title faded away during the final day to end with a two over 74.
Reed won with a 15 under par 71.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” said Reed.
Green jacket winner
“Any time trying to close off a golf tournament is hard but to close off my first major at a place where I went to college means so much.
“I knew the lead would shrink and grow. It’s just the flows of golf, you must know how to handle it and the way I could get that done was to make sure the putter was working.
“Just to make par on the last and to watch the ball go in the hole and know that I’ve won my first major to finish off that drought.”
While Reed put on the winner’s coveted green jacket, other big names drifted home in his wake.
Rickie Fowler was second with 67, and Jordan Spieth came in third with 64.
Favourite fails
McIlroy was favourite from the start, but returned a disappointing display as the only top 16 player in the field to come home over par.
“I played probably some of the best golf I’ve ever played here but it wasn’t meant to be,” said McIlroy. He has won four majors, but the last is a distant memory – the 2014 PGA Championship.
“I think I can come back and win here. I’ve played in two final groups in the last seven years, I’ve had five top-10s, I play this golf course well. I just haven’t played it well enough at the right times.”
Despite his lack of recent success at grand slam courses, McIlroy is a firm fan’s favourite and provoked some of the biggest cheers throughout the day, contrary to Reed.
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