The Masters 2023 LIVE: Leaderboard and reaction as Jon Rahm wins first green jacket
Rahm outduelled Brooks Koepka and honoured the late Seve Ballesteros to triumph in style at Augusta
Jon Rahm produced a nerveless Sunday performance to claim his first Masters green jacket in dominant but emotional style at Augusta National, in the perfect tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros.
Forty years after golfing icon Ballesteros claimed his second green jacket, and on what would have been his 66th birthday, Rahm became the fourth Spanish winner after Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.
“This one is for Seve,” Rahm said after winning his second major crown. “I knew he would be up there helping and help he did.”
The fourth and final round of a wild week at Augusta looked set to be a shootout between Rahm and four-time major winner Brooks Koepka.
But as the American faded in the fourth round, his Spanish foe relentlessly marched on, adding to his 2021 US Open crown by carding a 69 to end on 12-under. Rahm secured a four-shot triumph over Koepka and a rejuvenated Phil Mickelson, who shot a magical Sunday 65 at the age of 52 to end in a tie for second at eight-under.
Follow the reaction to the final round below:
Tied at the top
Koepka -10 (4), Rahm -10 (4)
Rahm goes first with his birdie effort...but it runs out of steam towards the end. Solid par for Rahm.
Koepka looks to save his par after a good touch from the bunker but it’s a nervy downhill putt and it drifts past the left edge.
Bogey for Brooks and we are all square at the top.
Koepka in the sand on four
Koepka -11 (3), Rahm -10 (3)
I’m telling you right now, Koepka is not having it his own way right now. He wasn’t at his best this morning and he’s not found it again this afternoon so far. His tee shot flies into the bunker in front of the green and that will be a tough up and down for par. Rahm is safely on the middle of the green with just under 25 feet for a birdie.
Bogey for Cantlay
Hovland -8 (4), Cantlay -5 (4)
Hovland gets a bit unluck with his tee shot which takes a sharp bounce off the bank and flies past the hole. He does well, however, to get down in two. The same can’t be said of Cantlay as his par putt misses on the right side - back to five under for him.
Rahm moves within one
Koepka -11 (3), Rahm -10 (3)
Koepka steps up first for his birdie attempt. It has the line...but not the pace and it stops short of the hole.
Rahm smells his opportunity and makes no mistake with his effort - first blood goes to the Spaniard and he is just one back of Koepka now.
Birdie looks for the final pair on three
Koepka -11 (2), Jon Rahm -9 (2)
This third hole is a real tricky one with the second shot but both Koepka and Rahm give themselves a chance at birdie with some decent pitch shots. You have to feel one of these two will make a move sooner rather than later.
Woodland into fifth
Woodland -6 (7), Day -3 (7)
Day has stayed at level par but Gary Woodland is on the charge. It’s a well-judged iron into this getable seventh and he knocks in for his third birdie of the day to move into a tie for fifth.
Pair of pars for Hovland and Cantlay
Hovland -8 (3), Patrick Cantlay -6 (3)
With Rahm and Koepka starting slowly, is there an opportunity for these two? They sure have great looks on the third but both miss out with their birdie chances. Pars instead.
Rahm and Koepka miss birdie chances
Koepka -11 (2), Rahm -9 (2)
Rahm catches a good break with his drive and can launch one out of the pine straw. It ends up in the left bunker. Koepka’s second finds its way into the right sand trap.
Rahm goes first from the sand but his doesn’t release down as much as he would like - still plenty of work to do for a birdie. Koepka’s shot is easier and he plays it well to give him a good look at birdie.
The Spaniard steps up first...he doesn’t hit it. A poor effort and just a par from the par five. Koepka’s turn...and it lips out! Not enough pace and it doesn’t hang on. A very slow start from the final pair.
Three in a row for Spieth
Spieth -5 (10)
It’s clear skies above but it’s raining birdies on the greens. Spieth makes the turn onto the back nine but pours one in on the tenth to go with birdies on eight and nine. Tied for 6th place now for the former champion.
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