Sergio! Garcia beats Rose in playoff to win Masters, claim first major title
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Sergio Garcia won the 81st Masters by defeating Justin Rose in a playoff on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.
It’s the first green jacket and major title for Garcia, who won on the first playoff hole, the par-4 18th.
The European Ryder Cup teammates shared the 54-hole lead at six under, and they were in a head-to-head battle down the stretch on Sunday.
Garcia led the tournament at eight under after three holes, but Rose birdied the 6th, 7th and 8th to tie him. Rose took his first lead when Garcia bogeyed the 10th, and Garcia fell two back with another bogey on 11. The Spaniard salvaged a par on 15 after he had to take an unplayable, and he birdied 14 and made eagle on 15 to tie Rose at nine under.
Both players stuck their tee shots close on the par-3 16th, but Rose converted his birdie putt and Garcia failed to. But the lead didn’t last. Rose bogeyed 17, and they were all square at nine under heading to the 18th tee, where they both missed birdie putts to enter the playoff.
Charl Schwartzel took third at six under. Rickie Fowler started the day one shot off the lead but fired a final-round 76. Jordan Spieth was two back to start the day but never contended, shooting 75.
