Masters 2015: Leaderboard Results and Top Takeaways from Augusta
Just four strokes separated 21-year-old winner Jordan Spieth at the Masters from the rest of the pack, a final leaderboard speaking volumes about the sport's future.
Spieth broke many records at Augusta, tying Tiger Woods' scoring record from 1997 in the process and giving the sport a jolt of global attention it needed.
While the young superstar hogs the spotlight—as he should—the final leaderboard littered with faces old and new showcases loud and clear a sense of parity settling over the tour.
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With the Masters final scoreboard, let's take a look at the top takeaways.
Top Takeaways
The 'Old Tour' is Alive and Well
Forget about the young guns for a minute—it's not a great idea to turn away from the veterans just yet.
Look at Phil Mickelson, who made things more interesting than they should have been this past weekend all on his own. He started with a 70 in Round 1, then put together a 68 in Round 2 with four birdies on the back nine.
Not content with simply that, he one-upped himself Saturday with seven more birdies for a 67 before finishing with a 69 to move into tied for second behind Spieth.
For a guy pretty much an afterthought thanks to his not recording a finish better than tied for 17th all season before Augusta, it was a shocking return to form. He missed the cut at Augusta last year, too.
"This is the first week that I've got the score out of myself that I thought I should," Mickelson said, per USA Today's Nancy Armour. "Hopefully (I can) use this as a springboard for the rest of the year, because I feel like my game has really come around."
Don't forget Woods, either.
A mystery going into Augusta, an opening-round 73 seemed to say it all. However, Woods fought hard for a Friday 69 and a Saturday 68 before a final score matching his opening round. Never mind the finish at five under—the fact Woods made it to Sunday is a feat in itself right now.
While Mickelson and Woods won't hog the spotlight at each tournament as in the past, both returned to form at Augusta and won't just let the new kids on the block run away with it.
Augusta was a warning for all—both men are in form and can contend any given weekend they suit up, so keep an eye out.
The Future is in Great Hands
The meat of the takeaways from Augusta concerns the future, though.
Spieth seems to lead the charge. It makes sense after tying Woods' record and recording the first wire-to-wire victory since 1976, as well as recording the low 36-and-54-hole scores in tournament history.
Even Mickelson acknowledges Spieth's status at the top, per BBC Sport:
ESPN.com's Jason Sobel points out why the triumph is so important for the sport's future:
Try not to forget about Rory McIlroy, though.
The man gunning for a career Grand Slam stumbled out of the gates with a pair of 71s but mounted a furious comeback with three birdies over his final four holes Friday to make the cut. Then he posted a 68 and 66 to come in fourth.
McIlroy's in great form and right at the top of the game with Spieth right now. So too is the underrated Hideki Matsuyama who, at just 23 years old, posted an 11-under par to land right behind McIlroy.
Considering Matsuyama now touts top-five finishes in half of his last eight tournaments and ranks seventh on the tour in total strokes gained (1.611) and 13th in scoring average (70.163), per PGATour.com, it's safe to presume he's closer to winning a big one than most expect.
Combine the above names with other young guns such as Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler, and it's easy to see the sport's heightened parity is something capable of lasting quite a long time.
For all involved, that's nothing short of a great thing.
Stats and info courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise specified.
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