Vintage edition of the Masters.

At the end of the day, this is all we can hope for from the committee at Augusta National. The 2024 edition of the Masters had everything and a little bit more. A popular expectant father proved too good for the assembled field of top golfers who couldn’t match the form of the hottest golfer on the planet currently. An exhibition of golf on all four days by Scottie Scheffler left many observers believing that this guy is ready to take the baton from Tiger Woods. The clinical way in which he pulled away from the field on Sunday afternoon was Tigeresque in everything but the colour of his clothing.

Sitting back and looking at the bigger picture, it is with deep regret that I must confirm my annual registration to the local branch of Rory McIlroy Anonymous will be updated by the end of the week. As I don’t have a dodgy box to avail of the SKY coverage, I followed proceedings from Augusta via the Masters’ website and its leaderboard page to be more precise. On Saturday evening with Rory at +3 after 14 and the leaders starting their 3rd round on -7, I convinced myself that all was not yet lost and if Rory could eagle 15 and birdie 16; the 7-shot gap would not be unsurmountable, and a miracle might prevail. I think Greg Allen summed up Rory’s performance or lack of one at Augusta perfectly – he simply didn’t turn up with his A-game. It should be noted that less than 10 of the entire field failed to break par, so Rory wasn’t alone when the dust settled.

As mentioned earlier there was a host of storylines that will encourage all golf fans to believe that 2024 might be a vintage year also. In his debut, Masters Ludvig ?berg played magnificently and only for a disastrous double bogey on the 11th on Sunday, Fuzzy Zoeller may have had something in common with one of the attendees at next year's champions dinner. Also, Colin Morikawa showed a welcome return to form and surprised many when he turned up in the last group on Sunday. The LIV challenge never materialised and the tone of the commentary from the golf channel left a little to be desired if the truth be told. No sign of Rahm or Koepka at the business end of the field on Sunday with both posting very disappointing +9 totals. ??

An honourable mention of course must go to Tommy Fleetwood who accompanied by a local caddy finished in the top 5 with notable other scores including Shane Lowry finishing on +8 with Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler continuing to hold that most unwanted title in golf – that of greatest player yet to win a Major finishing on +5. The adage of waiting till the Sunday back 9 of a Major proved correct once again here at Augusta; it was all over with 8 to play this time.