Jordan Spieth on the verge of historic collapse at the Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jordan Spieth was on the verge of the greatest run in Masters history. Now he’s on the verge of maybe the tournament’s greatest collapse.
And yes, possibly bigger than Greg Norman in 1996.
Through nine holes Sunday, Spieth held a five-shot lead. Bogies at 10 and 11, coupled with a pair of birdies by Danny Willett trimmed the lead to one. Still, Spieth could feel in control with two birdie-able par 5s still to come.
But he had to get through the 12th first, and that’s when disaster struck.
Tee shot in the water.
Drop.
Third shot in the water.
Drop.
Fifth shot in the bunker.
He did manage to get up and down from the bunker, but still.
Quadruple bogey 7.
It’s called Amen Corner for a reason. At 5:05 ET, Spieth led by five. By 5:50, he trailed Willett by four strokes. From first place to a tie for fourth in less than an hour.
In ’96, Norman went into the final round with a six-stroke lead over Nick Faldo. When they made the turn at 9, the lead was down to two, but not because of a massive Norman collapse (at least not yet); he was 2-over, to Faldo’s 2-under.
Tourney over for Spieth?
Looks like it. To his credit he’s picked himself up off the matt, carding birdies on 13 and 15 to move back within two strokes with three holes to play. He had a birdie putt at 16 to move within a stroke but pushed it wide.
Willett finished at 5-under; Spieth’s at 3-under heading to 17.
If it is over for Spieth, the 2016 Masters will be remembered for that 12th hole, the one where his shot at a second straight green jacket went right in the drink.
