2016 Review Golf: The Masters

You can set your watch by it. The coming of each sporting spring is

heralded by the Masters, with its vibrant colours. Pink Azalea, White

Dogwood, yellow flags and Greenjackets. Birdsong and hushed

anticipation. Approving roars. The picture perfect quality of Augusta

National takes your breath away with its manicured pines and Grassi

greens and it promises so much excitement for the week. The 81st

plane starts on Thursday. Tomorrow night, we assessed the possibilities

in our preview programme of perhaps a Rory McIlroy Grand Slam, or for

Dustin Johnson, world number one, a fourth straight victory this season.

But 12 months ago this tournament delivered plenty. We began the week

with all eyes fixed on the relentless American Jordan Spieth.

He was aiming to become only the fourth player ever to successfully

retain his title. So sit back, immerse yourself in what was one of

the most surprising conclusions ever in this great event.

At Augusta National there are priceless relics. Links to the

legends of the Masters. The most precious of all, the forward of Jean

Saracens that produced a shock around the world. They are all here.

The clubs of the men who wielded these magical sticks in moments of

brilliance. Yes, sir! That is a life changer! He's got it! Wow!

Over 360 air sunsets ago, a young Texan became a springtime sensation.

Who will be the next player to add to the story collection at the

Masters? There are a two Sundays in Masters

week. The first is every bit as exciting as the second. 80 kids came

to Augusta National to compete in the drive chip and putt national

finals. Pretty awesome. They have learned from the best in the world,

studied their form, applied their lessons, and today they share their

stage. They are seven to 15 and they have come from competitions in all

50 states. And now they are here. Meeting Masters winners.

And putting on the 18th green. It was just so amazing. The best

thing ever. This is a dream! The first of two big Sundays and Costa,

this one filled with nothing but joy. -- in Augusta. On Monday,

chairman Billy Payne, joined by the leaders of the RNA, the PGA of

America and the USGA, and announced the return of golf to the Olympics.

I'm pleased to announce that the Gold Medal winner of the men's

connotation in the Olympic Games will receive an invitation to the

following year's Masters Tournament. On Wednesday, the kids are a little

younger. And they are not really here to play. Most of them will be

caddying for a dad in the annual par-3 contest. And there has never

been one quite like this. Holes in one throughout the afternoon, a

record nine. Including two from the popular group

of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler. It happened at the

4th hole. Thomas in his first Masters. Making his first memory.

Fowler right behind him. Can you believe it?! Jimmy Walker

did something never done in this contest.

And we don't mean his hole-in-one. He shot a course record 8-under par

19 to win the crystal trophy. Thursday morning, Arnold Palmer.

I came here in 1954 for the first time. I thought about playing golf

here and winning the Masters. Nothing ever got in my mind except

that. It brings tears to your eyes. It makes you want to be a part of it

and to stay a part of it the rest of your life.

Not driving this year but forever a part of the Masters tradition,

please join me in a welcome, a salute and a heartfelt thank you to

our four-time Masters champion, Mr Arnold Palmer.

The King is 86 years old. Today he watches the other two members of

golf's big three. Gary Player... And Jackie Nicolas. -- Jack

Nicklaus. They hit the traditional opening tee

shots. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2016

Masters has now officially begun. Have fun. The start of the Masters

is a time of nervous anticipation. Going to the first tee Thursday is

the most nervous I get all year. Masters winner Adam Scott has won

twice on the PGA Tour this year. Masters winners Bubba Watson and

Charl Schwartzel also have won on Tour. And Phil Mickelson at aged 45

is in good form. But world number one Jason Day is visualising a green

jacket. And number three Rory McIlroy needs a Masters when to

complete the career Grand Slam. And of course full attention will be

given to world number two, defending champion Jordan Spieth. The first

round is on the way. Zach Johnson and Dustin Johnson have virtual

identical Berdych rise at the 7th hole. -- birdie. Sergio Garcia at

14. He shoots 69. A score matched by

Justin Rose, thanks to a pair of tricky putts at three and ten. On

the first tee, Augusta native Vaughn Taylor takes time to visit with his

grandmother, Gladys Murphy. He said he could see she was close to tears.

They raise a cheer at 12 as Smylie Kaufman makes birdie in a round of

73. Danny Willett, in his second Masters...

He makes birdie at three and shoots 70. Rory McIlroy for eagle at 13.

Birdie at 15. It was tough. I went out there trying to play my own game

and I felt I did that pretty well. I played within myself, I hit a lot of

good shots. Shane Lowry made five birdies, Danny Lee made six. Both

tied for second place. The wind was up in the afternoon, a

harbinger of tough scoring conditions. Jason Day... He got off

to a good start. At the par-5 second hole. This shot lead to an eagle.

And with this second at nine... Almost twice!

He was out in five under par 31. How fragile is a good round? This wedge

at 15 lead to a 3-putt bogey. And this deed Mac shot at 15 -- tee shot

at 15 in the pond led to a 3-putt triple. I got out of position on the

last four holes. It's frustrating but not too disappointed because I

felt I played pretty well in tough conditions. As we came home, it was

quite easy. I made a mess of. 9:48am, Jordan Spieth began his

third Masters. I would've signed for 200 today and not even played the

round. That would have been a bad deal. He got to 1-under after this

second at number three. To 3-under at the par-5 8th. And

then he added birdies at ten and 13 he played with US amateur champion

Bryson DeChambeau, who was 1-under before learning a costly lesson

about chipping back towards the water at 15.

He made a great bogey save. And shot 72. Bryson DeChambeau played to his

standards and frowned and shot even par in tough conditions at the

Masters. Watch out for him. Spieth made his sixth birdie at 18 and led

the tournament for the fifth round in a row. The no bogeys was really

cool today. I thought maybe that wouldn't be possible. I made a

couple of nights longer putts. The one at 16 didn't deserve to go but

it hit the back of the cup hard. Maybe there is a chance that 6-under

wins this tournament. We have to stay patient and present, and

understand this is a major Championship, it will often feel

like a to tournament in one. Bogey is not the worst score out here.

They will come. It is just the first round and it is a solid start. He

was the only player in the field of 89 to go bogey free in the first

round. Tom Watson at 74 under in his final

Masters. What Jason Day did yesterday, Phil

Mickelson does today. He makes birdies early. He is 1-under for the

tournament. But he leaves a ball in the bunker at seven. Three putts

from five feet at eighth. And he puts balls in the water at 15 and

again at 16. And he misses the cut by one. I don't know how to explain

it. I threw away a lot of shots. I made a lot of poor shots. This is

the worst I've managed myself around the golf course. I don't know what

to say. Six amateurs were invited to this Masters in the tradition of

Bobby Jones. Including Paul Chaplin, the Latin America champion. At 16,

the second youngest player in Masters history. And another

exciting teenager from China. Under difficult conditions, two of

the amateurs made the cut. British amateur champion -- the British

amateur champion, Langasque, with an eagle. One amateur contended for the

lead. Bryson DeChambeau on par for the tournament with a birdie at one.

-- under par. Matched by fellow competitor Jordan Spieth. He also

birdies three and builds a five shot lead. He said bogeys would come. But

he didn't expect a four putt for a double at five. Scoring is

increasingly difficult as the winds ghost. Three players move into the

top five. Scott Piercy, Danny Lee and Hideki Matsuyama, whose birdie

at 12 is the first of three in a row, but none of them breaks par on

this day. Rory McIlroy emerges from the crowd. It is its second try for

the career Grand Slam. Hitting 5-wood at 15 into the wind. And onto

the green from where he two putts for a birdie. At 16, he is above the

hole facing a birdie putt. It has got six feet of break. McIlroy

enjoying a stretch that has launched him near the top of the leaderboard.

Shamble using what he terms is one plane swing. All his irons at the

same length. And it works for him. -- Bryson DeChambeau. Setting up a

birdie to go 2-under. The leader, Spieth, is fighting to stay in the

lead at nine. He makes bogey and then his troubles continue.

Jordan Spieth, who has dominated the tournament so far, has dropped shots

at the 9th and tenth. 5-under par. It means Rory McIlroy is within two

shots of the lead. He is on the 18th.

There you go. He gets in at 3-under. That is huge. That is what he

needed. I don't really look at the names of the left of the

leaderboard. I'm looking at the number on the far right. It doesn't

make a difference to me who is there. Whoever is ahead of me at

that point, I just want to finish one better. The amateur just three

strokes out of the lead. He pulls his second towards the pond at 11.

But the result is brilliant. He makes that putt for birdie. Now on

the tee at 12. And he ties McIlroy, just one behind Spieth. Acknowledges

the support he is getting from the patrons. But following a pattern in

this tournament, a player is rising on the leaderboard but falling back

with double bogeys and worse, he hits is tee shut into a non-playable

life. -- shot will stop years looking at three in a row if he cant

get up and Benedictine. -- Bob and down at 18.

The par saved by Jordan Spieth! I have got two more days to give it

everything I have and that's what I will do. Bryson DeChambeau was

putting for a double bogey. He finished with a seven. I'm only four

back. If I don't play well, I don't play well. If I do, I do. If I can

do that, which I know I can, it will be a cool journey. The low round of

the day was a 71. Four players, including McIlroy, shot eight. Danny

Willett was 2-over his round. Jason Day five bag tied with 58-year-old

Bernhard Langer. -- back. 29 Masters champions attended the

most exclusive dinner in golf Tuesday night, including Tom Watson,

who announced this Masters would be his last.

The memories are vivid. It seemed like I could have been here in 75.

Pretty vivid. That's what happens when you come to a special place. It

is his 43rd. Anyone the first of two, beating Jack Nicklaus in 1977.

And receiving his green jacket from Raymond Floyd. There is an echo of

those wins at the 6th hole today. I dreamt about playing the Masters.

When I watched the Masters on TV, I watched Arnie. And then I watched

Jack. I've seen the likes of Byron Nelson and Sam Snead. It was a

wonderful experience from day one. APPLAUSE.

Just for old times sake, there was this putt for birdie at 18.

He only missed the cut by two. I've been blessed to be able to play

here. I hope I entertained some fans, the patrons. I appreciate

their applause for me and how they treated me today are out there. Lots

of hats off to Tom today. It was really pretty special.

Among those making the cut this year were 51-year-old Davis Love.

58-year-old Bernhard Langer. And 57-year-old Larry Mize, who put on a

dazzling putting show on the first three holes Saturday. From 44 feet

at one, 13 feet at two and yes, from 62 feet at the 3rd. Birdie, birdie,

birdie! But good scores are not going to come Easley today. The

north-west wind is up again. At 15, Billy Horschel was about to mark his

ball, only to watch the wind blow it into the water. As Larry Mize

dropped back from his torrid start, Bernhard Langer moved up the

leaderboard. He had a birdie at two. And another at five. A bogey at six

was followed by this third shot at the par 58. He made that for birdie.

And he was putting for Eagle Eye 13. -- putting for a eagle at 13. He was

paired with Jason Day and was 30 yards and more behind his Tmax

shots. -- tee. But he was still tied with him at 13 and 14.

Bernhard Langer's response? Simply amazing! That was the jewel of the

day. And Bernhard Langer won it with a birdie at 15.

For a 58-year-old it is fun to be in this position, playing with the best

in the world. From a veteran playing his 33rd Masters, to a player less

than half his age playing his first. Smylie Kaufman, who still lives with

his parents in Alabama newly made eagle at 14. -- nearly. And then he

birdied 16 twitchy face first goal of the weekend. -- to achieve his

first goal of the weekend. Now there is a lot to do, try to adjust the

goals little bit. Hideki Matsuyama is the same age, 24, but this is his

fifth Masters. And with a birdie at 14, he finishes tied for third with

Bernhard Langer. Danny Willett, at 12. A birdie here gets him in the

red numbers. This second at 15 into a headwind. It is in the pond. Tied

for fifth with Jason Day. And Dustin Johnson. He couldn't make it putt on

the second nine and shot even par 72. One shot baggies Lee Westwood,

top ten in three of the last four years. This shot at 14 sets up his

third birdie in a row. And the best second nine of the day, four under

par 32. The head-to-head pairing of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth did

not live up to expectations. McIlroy never made a birdie. And he was

5-over after a double bogey at 11. He had his chances. But he couldn't

convert. It is just one of those days you have to try to forget about

and move on. For the third day in a row, Spieth built his lead on the

first nine. He made his second double bogey of the tournament at

11. But he fought right back at 12. With that birdie, another at 14, and

a third right at 15, he was 6-under and had a four shot lead with three

holes to play. He parred 16. Then drove into the trees at 17. And he

made bogey. And he compounded the error with a

poor chip on his third. Hit it! And then his par putt came up short, he

needed this for bogey. I've got to throw away the finish to this round.

In the last two days, Spieth is five over power, on 16, 17 and 18. World

number one Jason Day heads a trio, McIlroy five behind. A tough day for

the amateur, DeChambeau who played the 13th and 15th holes three or

four par. What do you do tonight to clear your head and move on?

Probably go break something real quick and grab some dinner and watch

a movie! I'll be fine! 60 years ago the first televised Masters began

with second shot at 15 on Sunday. Today all 18 holes are broadcast to

over 200 countries and territories and now including the first ever

live for K HD sports coverage of all the play at our main corner. As well

as virtual reality cameras bringing the viewer onto the golf course.

Cars Amen Corner. On Sunday the win was light and out

of the South, Rory McIlroy threat link to make a move. By driving the

green on the short par four. He made a birdie from there. Denmark's Soren

Kjeldsen made testing birdie putts. At both three and five and got into

red numbers. Danny Willett also moved into red with a birdie at six!

And was putting for eagle at eight. COMMENTATOR:

This, to tie for the lead... He was just one behind Jordan Spieth but

others fell back. Bernhard Langer chipped over the green at three,

made a double bogey and never threatened.

Hideki Matsuyama bogeyed four, five and this second shot at six. Led to

a double bogey. That dropped him from contention. While Smylie

Kaufman, his mum Pam looking on, missed birdies early and made

bogeys. And so with 13 holes to play on Sunday Jordan Spieth still held a

1-shot lead. CHEERING

Once again, he began to build on that lead on the first nine.

CHEERING Danny Willett, two behind, was in

trouble on the ninth. And would have that to save par. His

fellow competitor Lee Westwood was putting for a birdie. COMMENTATOR:

there you go. And he was 1-shot wonder. Spieth at seven.

Don't go long! Don't go long! Played the slope of the green. And made

another birdie and the lead was three! Kaufmann bogeyed the hole.

Will it, to save par at nine. -- Danny Willett. COMMENTATOR: massive,

massive, momentum is everything on a day like this. There is an France at

16. Shot 31 on the second nine and a

final-round 68. While Bryson DeChambeau finished his first

Masters with a birdie at 18 and the low amateur title. It's an honour

that will stay with me forever and I'll never forget this day,

especially making this putt on the last hole, it was pretty cool.

Dustin Johnson made a double bogey at five that seemed to take him at

the tournament but fought back with birdies at six, eight, and here at

nine. Five Englishmen would finish in the top ten in this Masters,

beginning with 21-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick who birdied four of his

final five and was the first to post the low round of the day, a 67.

Spieth leading by three, chipping for eagle at eight.

Set up his third birdie in a row and the lead was four. Danny Willett, on

the tee-macro at the dangerous 12. Was fortunate that the ball stayed

out of raise Creek and he saved par from there. Spieth seemingly

unstoppable for birdie at nine. How about it? Just unbelievable, his

ability to read the stroke. And track it. -- Rae's C reek. The lead

was five with nine holes to play. You feel like you're almost starting

another round, another tournament, you can feel the difference in

momentum. Another big story today, the 16th. COMMENTATOR: Shane Lowry.

The whole is accessible today. Watch and enjoy!

CHEERING COMMENTATOR: Davis Love III with a

seven iron. CHEERING

COMMENTATOR: next up, Lewis Oosthuizen.

I've been here 17 years, I have never seen an afternoon like this!

Commentary by Vernon Lundquist. It's been said many times that the

Masters begins on the 10th hole Sunday. Here is Jordan Spieth on the

tee with that five stroke lead. COMMENTATOR: it's right, just

blocked it up on top of the hill. Makes things a lot longer, added 40

yards. A second Englishman finishes in the top ten, Paul Casey equalling

the low round of the day, 67, and is 1-shot under for the tournament.

Spieth, four par at ten. Danny Willett, for a birdie at 13.

Five shot lead is down to three shots.

Dustin Johnson, going for the green at 13. We'll two putt from there,

keeping him four bat -- back. Jordan Spieth in trouble again, from the

tee at 11, Danny Willett in good position at 14.

One man putts for par, one man putts for birdie. And the result is a two

shot swing, Danny Willett has made up four strokes in two holes. Rory

McIlroy finishes his eighth Masters tied for 10th. Look, I know how to

play this golf course but, it's playing it when it really matters.

Ten and 11, you can take bogeys there, I was still two wonder, might

bell-macro my goal was four wonder. -- two under. Michael said, hit it

right here, hit it right here, I didn't take that extra deep breath

and Ira membered getting over the ball and thinking I will make a

little cut to the hole. -- and I remember. It was the right club,

just the wrong shot, I should have played a draw on that hole.

I'm not really sure of what happened on the next shot.

Add 15, Westwood and Danny Willett don't know what happened yet. And

Westwood moves into second place. Danny Willett putting for birdie.

Makes par. And now learns that Spieth has made a quadruple bogey at

12. Spieth has plummeted to a tie for

fourth as he stands on the 13th tee. I told Mike, I said, you know, body,

it seems likely or collapsing and I wanted to be brutally honest with

the way I felt towards him so he could respond with what is necessary

to get us to rebound and he did. I just feel fortunate that I was in

the position I was too then pounce on the opportunity.

When the pressure got on him towards the end, quality shot, great towards

16. COMMENTATOR: Dustin Johnson now. I don't know. 219 yards. And he went

for it. And this is a brilliant effort from Dustin Johnston.

Unbelievable. I saw no window opening there but he obviously had

one. CHEERING

Danny Willett is the leader by two shots. Less than an hour ago, Danny

Willett was next to Jordan Spieth. This is to get within three shots.

And he does! Bounces back yet again. Lee Westwood had to make par at 16.

Now, he was three behind. Dustin Johnson, to get within one shot off

the lead. Settled for birdie. Danny Willett,

bogey free on his round, was long left at 17. COMMENTATOR: he's played

it beautifully. What a shot. Unbelievable. That is extremely

tough nerves right there, not an easy chip. He made par. COMMENTATOR:

birdie, to get back within two. Coming back! Still a chance! He made

par at 14. Johnson needing birdie at 17. Goal, a little bit, just go a

little bit... Found the front bunker.

COMMENTATOR: seven iron on the way. It's going to work. It's really

going to work now! Dustin Johnson... He must make it.

This kid is on such a high right now. 28 years old, playing his

second Masters, 12 days after the birth of his first child, a son,

Zach. Tentative with that one. Stood over

it a long time, had another look at the leaderboard. He admits it.

Meanwhile, go time here for Jordan, Peter, at 15. He has to make birdie

to have any realistic chance. Bringing it in low. And very nicely

controlled! APPLAUSE

CHEERING It was very cool for the patrons

here did for me, they helped me believe I could do it.

Danny Willett to golf his fight sweater and made his final putt in

green. COMMENTATOR: wait and see the ovation for this kid. Spieth for

birdie. -- tuque off his white sweater. COMMENTATOR: sneaks in the

left side and Jordan Spieth is not done yet.

He's the defending champion, two back but he's got a makeable birdie

at 16 and then, who knows? What's going through your heart right now,

and your head? We played great golf today, a fantastic week and yes,

it's a waiting game now, Jordan is sitting there. We are going to have

to see what happens, get some food inside us and make sure we are ready

for the eventuality if there is a play-off.

COMMENTATOR: if that goes on, who knows what happens? It's a fine line

between disaster and success at this place. Spieth at 16 needs to go

birdie, birdie. And the bunker, realistically he had to hole the

bunker shot. Mathematically, he had to make the putt. Danny Willett won

the 80th Masters with a bogey free 67 that equalled the low round of

the weekend. Jordan Spieth finished tied for second with Lee Westwood. I

believe we are the best in the world, big picture... This one will

hurt, it will take a while. You dream about these kind of days and

things like that, but for it to happen, it's still mind-boggling.

This week was my week and we were able to play good golf to go with

that and come out on top. Churchman Billy Payne presented Bryce to

shamble with the low amateur award. -- Bryson DeChambeau. And then it

was time for a new man to work the green jacket. Jordan, I would be

grateful if you would do the honour of placing the green jacket on

Danny! There is a lot of things that go

around, being a Masters champion. You don't just do it for a year, you

are at the Masters locker room, you go to the champions dinner, you get

to come back and play for as long as you want, great tradition. It really

is so special and I am just massively privileged to be a part of

it. A closing 67 from Danny Willett, how

well did he sees his chance after the collapse of Spieth. He kept his

head brilliantly and he became Great Britain's fourth winner and the

first endless champion since Sir Nick Faldo and he gets set to defend

his champion and will be back tomorrow evening with a preview of

all the possibilities in the company of Ken Brown and Peter Alliss.

Thereafter we will have highlights of the day want action on Friday,

and we will have highlights on Saturday afternoon. And then we'll

have live coverage for the entire weekend, starting with the third

round. And the dramatic concluding round starts an hour earlier at 630.

And BBC Radio 5 Live full broadcast all four days live...

Keep up-to-date by the BBC's website. By Sunday night we will

know who measures up best in the 81st laying of the Masters

tournament and we are really looking forward to sharing all of the

excitement with you. See you soon. MUSIC: Signed Sealed

Delivered by Stevie Wonder Stacey and Chris are preparing for

marriage by spending a few days living alone with

their in-laws to be, and asking them all kinds of

questions.