Add another ship to the Spanish Armada! On what would’ve been Seve Ballesteros 66th birthday, Jon Rahm joins his boyhood idol and fellow countrymen José María Olazábal and Sergío García as a Masters Champion. The plodding Spaniard picked up the mantle from his predecessors and delivered it to the hearth of Butler Cabin.
The Basque went Basquiat, making safe pars look like fine art and taking his looks for birdies when he could. His play on Sunday would make club founder Bobby Jones proud. Jones said of the strategy for playing Augusta, “we want to make bogeys easy if frankly sought, pars readily obtainable by standard good play, and birdies — except on par 5s — dearly bought.” Rahm played it to a tee.
Judging by the corners of sandwiches Rahm was scarfing down throughout his round, next year's Champions Dinner could be some real lunchroom stuff. Sadly, Jon won’t have the pleasure of being honored by his hero. Unfortunately, Seve passed away in 2011 due to brain cancer but, his impact is still palpable. The first golf star from continental Europe and one of the most exhilarating players of all time (so much so, this writer’s father wanted to name his first born son Severiano).
It should come as no surprise that Rahm counts him as an inspiration and even blessed himself in Seve’s name while walking off the course following the final round. Happily, José María, two-time Masters champ and Seve’s best friend was there at 18 green, festooned in his emerald coat ready to shepherd in the new brood.
But, Easter Sunday wasn’t only for anointing Rahm. What was once a rained-out, two-horse race became a packed leaderboard by the middle of the final round. We saw the likes of Mickelson and Spiethy making a final round run; how fun was that pairing by the way? Nonetheless, those two coats were left out in the cold. How did those from the rival tour fair, might you ask? Between Koepka, Phil and Patrick Reed, some of the LIV guys showed up and a bulk of the group made the cut. Goes to show that all those who wander are not lost, yet wanderlust may leave you just short of your destination.
It’s a shame that the weather didn’t quite cooperate all four days. Who had the three loblolly pines falling out of the sky on their bingo card? But, while the colors of Augusta may have been muted, a worthy champion was delivered still.
Here’s to you Jon Rahm! Welcome to the club.
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