Masters power rankings: Finally, it’s Sergio’s time
10/10
Sergio Garcia
I’m welling up. I think I might actually cry. He was a couple of shots clear. He was a couple behind. It looked won. It looked lost.
He fought so hard.
He gambled it all on 13 and somehow escaped with a par. That was one of the best eagles I’ve ever seen on 15.
Then there was that putt. Would he have to replay it in his head forever? No. Because there was THAT putt.
At last Sergio. At last.
Justin Rose
Heartbreaking for Justin, who’d been ruthlessly brilliant until it came to that short putt on 17. How did it stay out on the last? He could have done no more.
8/10
Thomas Pieters
A stellar performance from the Belgian (Get it? I’m here all week). Peters enjoyed 18 birdies and an eagle in four action packed days. Not bad for a course that’s supposed to take you years to learn. Too many mistakes, especially on the first day, cost him but you’d definitely have your eye on him in the future.
Matt Kuchar
Kuuuuuucccchhh. But why was everyone obsessed with that kid? Who hit the shot?
7/10
Paul Casey
Saved his best for last but Casey’s run – and it was an exciting and faultless front nine – hit the buffers on the difficult 11th and 14th holes. Casey’s each-way gold but he just doesn’t win enough. You can rely on him for another top 10 in 12 months.
Charl Schwartzel
Famously birdied the last four holes with a late run to grab the Green Jacket in 2011 and three birdies in five holes round the turn briefly had the tailors out again re-measuring his jacket size. The task proved too great but what a weekend for the South African.
6/10
Fred Couples
I’ll be thrilled if I’ve hadn’t had a hip replacement by the time I hit Fred’s age.
He prefers instead to post top 20s in major championships – while out-driving most of the field. At the age of 57.
It’s another stunning week from Boom Boom.
5/10
Adam Scott
Adam’s gone straight home to get the long putter out of the garage. Gave some of those holes such a close shave he drew blood, but just couldn’t get anything to drop. Drowned at 15.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie is starting to have too many of these days. Great players have fun on Sundays in the majors but Fowler looks like he’s about to have his wisdom teeth out. Try to enjoy it.
4/10
Lee Westwood
There were some great shots. There were some short putts. You know the rest.
Ryan Moore
Saw his name in lights after picking up a shot at the second and promptly scuttled off to hide on the very next hole. A double, followed by another dropped shot, brought to an end one of the quickest ‘charges’ in major history. These tournaments are hard to win, aren’t they Ryan?
3/10
Jordan Spieth
He did it again. Can you believe he did it again? The 12th wasn’t entirely to blame this year, though. Spieth was scrappy throughout and never in contention after bogeys at two of the first three holes.
2/10
Charley Hoffman
The forgotten man in the build up, we barely saw a shot of the long-time leader until he was half-way up the front nine. Everyone expected him to disappear, and he duly obliged.
Relive Seve’s greatest shots
Masters gallery: Final round action
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
