Collin Morikawa and Max Homa learn how to close a Masters match.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – You have to go low on the back nine on Sunday to win the Masters. Neither Max Homa nor Collin Morikawa did, so they stood aside and watched Scottie Scheffler get fitted with another green jacket.
MORIKAWA: Collin Morikawa reacts after making birdie putt on the eighth hole during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. Jason Getz/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS
It wasn’t like two of the PGA Tour’s up-and-comers threw up on their shoes, though. They both played steady, respectable final rounds, mostly staying out of trouble and cashing in on opportunities where they presented themselves. But it became quickly evident when the turn was made at the top of the hill from 9 to 10 that Scheffler was playing a different game altogether. Once again, the two-time Masters champion made mincemeat of the closing nine at Augusta.
Homa and Morikawa went 2-over and 1-over, respectively, on the home-9, and stood seven shots behind when it was all done. Scheffler’s score of 33 placed them significantly behind.
When the result was in doubt, Homa praised Scheffler’s hard play for “his commitment, his mind.” “He is really good at taking really challenging golf shots and handling them like he owns them, all while letting things roll off his back.” While it is evident that he is incredibly talented, I believe it to be his superpower.
Scheffler’s unwavering performance eliminated each opponent one by one. Practically speaking, Morikawa’s campaign ended on the ninth hole. His drive on the ninth hole ended up in the pine straw to the right of the fairway, matching Scheffler’s birdie on the eighth. His convoluted route collided with the front-left bunker. However, he missed the sand bunker with his third shot. Additionally, Scheffler’s 358-yard drive was followed by an 89-yard approach that showed a three-shot swing and flew back from past the pin to six inches.
At No. 11, Morikawa would likewise record a double bogey two holes later.
Morikawa, the winner of the PGA Championship and the British Open, admitted, “I got greedy.” “When you’re playing well, you don’t get avaricious. I became avaricious on both 9 and 11. I was merely attempting to hit it a tad too close; greed sometimes overcome us. I wasn’t pressing. This week will teach me a lot, I promise.
As for the 33-year-old Homa, he hung tough for the longest time. Playing just ahead of Scheffler and Morikawa, he found himself in a four-way tie for the lead at 6-under after Scheffler showed a little humanity and bogeyed No. 7. Morikawa and Ludvig Aberg were all minus-6 at the time, too.
Homa’s birdie at No. 8 preceded Scheffler. He birdied 10 as well, hitting a 324-yard drive and putting his 160-yard approach 4-feet above, where he jarred it.
However, Homa’s dim dreams were dashed where many others had perished. On Sunday, he nailed his tee shot to No. 12 exactly over the middle bunker, like everyone teaches players to do. However, his ball made a long hop and landed in the beautiful greenery on the rear side, adorned with azaleas and other plants. Homa made the mistake of leaving his chip shot short after being forced to accept an unplayable lie. After two shots, the double-bogey 5 virtually guaranteed that Homa wouldn’t be winning on Sunday.
When asked about his best chance for a major, Homa stated, “I thought I handled myself great.” “I didn’t feel like I blinked, and I didn’t make any putts.” Would have preferred the ball on 12 to avoid the ivy-covered foot. However, I believe I made good shots all weekend.
Having had the privilege of meeting the best golfer now playing, Homa and Morikawa both gave due respect.
Homa remarked, “Scottie is an incredible golfer; it’s really impressive.” “I obviously needed to play some amazing golf today, but I didn’t.” However, I felt that I had played some excellent golf. I’m happy about it, then. And the whole weekend was a lot of fun.
“It’s impressive,” said Morikawa, who is a year younger and has played golf with Scheffler since they were juniors. “The distance he’s hitting it and how good he’s hitting his irons … what he’s doing with his irons is crazy impressive because he’s hitting every shot, moving both directions. It’s something that I admired, and hopefully, I can get my game back to that kind of spot.”
Already having proved he belongs among golf’s young elite, Morikawa has demonstrated he is well-made for Augusta as well. His tie for third was his third consecutive top 10 finish in five Masters starts. The only time he has finished outside the Top 18 was his first time in 2020, when he made the cut and tied for 44th.
Homa is also growing accustomed to it significantly. He went 48th, 43rd, and third in his last three attempts after missing the cut in his first two.
Based only on their performances this year, both players will receive invitations to return. However, they depart from Augusta National’s grounds with great anticipation to take on a new challenge.
“I feel accomplished, but I feel like it doesn’t really mean anything in the big picture, so it’s bittersweet, I guess,” Homa remarked. “I simply feel that I made a significant advancement and learnt a lot. I have not performed in these things, is the rhetoric directed against me, and this is also coming from myself. But I had four days of performances. I didn’t enter covertly by throwing in a 65. This feeling, this monkey on my back, was something I had to sleep on every single day.
“In my opinion, it will alter certain aspects while having no effect on others at all.”
