Blog#233+MASTERS 2925 RECAP April 18, 2025

Blog#233+MASTERS 2925 RECAP April 18, 2025

Since the Masters was such an exciting tournament especially if you are a McIlroy fan, due to the exciting outcomeI am sending a final Masters blog with some thoughts.

Rory’s win

Reflecting to Rory’s win. It was gut wrenching to watch the 4 Double Bogies, but so heartening to see him respond from #27 after RD1 to shoot low RD2 and climb to 3rd. Then his great start on RD3 with an eagle and 3 birdies on the 1st 5 holes it looked like he was going to cruise to and easy Masters victory building a 4 stroke lead, but then Bryson birdies 3 of last 4 holes including an incredible 30 footer on 18 to cut lead to 2. Now it looks like a 2 horse race but after Bryson takes the lead after Rory’s DB on the 1st hole in RD 4 it looks like

The OPEN 2022 & US Open last year. Thankfully Bryson fades but along comes Justin Rose who led in RD1 but falls to 6 with a 75 RD3.He goes on to shoot low RD of the day 66 and sinks a great putt on 18 and leads by 1. After Rory’s disastrous 13th and bogie on 14, he again comes back with a great shot on 15 then a clutch putt on 18 then birdies the 1st playoff hole to win. After RD 1 only TV personalities Paul McGinley & Johnson Wagner were confident that Rory would win, While everyone else including me thought it would be another disappointing result.

LIV performances

The Masters is the only tournament played at the same course every year. It seems players who have won know how to play it better than those that have not won.

3 Patrick Reed-9 A former Masters winner (2020)

5 Bryson DeChambeau-7 His best finish was but he struggled on the final round.

14 Bubba Watson-3 Made lots of money with LIV but was on the downside of his career.

14 Jon Rahm-3 Won in 2021 but his age has definitely gone done downhill since LIV.

14 Tyrrall Hatton-3 After being #5 after 1st& 2nd Rds shoots 75 RD3 and is out of it.

29 Joaquin Niemann E He also was never in contention #27, #40, #29 where he finished.

36 Charles Schwasrtzal+2 A one hit wonder who made a great financial design to join LIV.

Cut Dustin Johnson+3 A good 1st year with LIV but he is through and I don’t think he cares.

Cut Sergio Garcia+4 I think he has regrets on joining LIV and burned many bridges.

Cut Brooks Koepka+5 A real mystery? Lets see how he does in the US Open & The OPEN.

Cut Cameron Smith+5 Australian, best known tracking down Rory to win 2022 OPEN.

Cut Phil Mickelson+5 Once my favorite golfer, as for many, but extravagant gambling forced him to go to LIV and his legacy being in the class of Jack, Arnie, Gary, Tiger is gone.

TV Ratings

Final RD 12.7M 33% increase over 2024. From 7:00 to 7:15 increased to 19.5M.

This should set the pace for great ratings for next important tournaments.

NEXT MEANINGFUL TOURNAMENTS TRUIST CHAMPIONSHIP PHILADELPHIA CRICKET CLUB 3 WEEKS, PGA CHAMPIONSHIP QUAIL HALLOW NC 2 WEEKS LATER.

While the RBC Heritage is a signature event followed in 2 weeks by another the Truist Championship, most of the golfing world will be waiting for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. It will be Rory’s chance for his second major in 2025 and his 5th win here.

2010 First PGA win The Quail Hollow Championship defeating Phil Mickelson 4 strokes

2015 Wells Fargo Championship defeating Patrick Rogers and Webb Simpson 7 strokes.

2021 Wells Fargo Championship defeating Abraham Ancer 1 stroke.

2024 Wells Fargo Championship defeating Xander Schauffele 5 strokes.