Augusta Masters 2021 Day 4 | Matsuyama champion | scores and leaderboard
Augusta Masters 2021: Hideki Matsuyama wins the Masters 2021
Hideki Matsuyama is the 2021 Masters Champion, shooting a 73 in the final round at Augusta. A dominant weekend gives him, and Japan their first Major Championship ever.
Large lead gave Matsuyama breathing room on Sunday
Hideki’s final round was cushioned with a comfortable lead for the majority of Sunday. A bogey on the first didn’t phase the former Silver Cup winner (low amateur at the Masters). He bounced back with a birdie on two, and kept an arms reach away from the rest of the pack up until last few holes.
Matsuyama scorched his tee shot on the par three 12th into the back bunker, and for the first time all round Hideki looked imperfect. An ensuing bogey gave the rest of the field the slightest bit of hope, which Xander Schauffele did not hesitate to ponce on. A birdie on 12 and a two shot swing going into the par five fifteenth gave new life to a Sunday at the Masters that was missing a bit of drama.
The final stretch came closer than Hideki would have hoped
Xander Schauffele was seemingly out of the running thanks to a four over stretch on holes 3,4 and 5. But six birdies on his next ten holes, and four consecutive on 12-15 brought him leaping back into the tournament. His tee shot on the famous par three 16 ended all hopes for a memorable comeback. His first found the water, and a triple bogey sank his chances for Augusta glory.
Despite ending his final round with three bogeys on the final four holes, the Japanese champion ended with a comfortable tap in on 18 to secure the one stroke win.
Masters debutant Will Zalatoris finished second, shooting a 69 on Sunday and finishing just a stroke back of tops on the leaderboard.
The weather delay proved the turning point in the tournament
Matsuyama had a nearly flawless week. He was lurking around the lead in the shadows of Justin Rose on Thursday and Friday. A 69 and a 71 after the first two rounds had him at -4 going into the weekend. Even though he was a constant presence in the top ten through the second day, he wasn’t making much noise.
That all changed after the weather delay on Saturday afternoon. He was one under on the day before the horn sounded at 3:57 ET.
He came out firing after the hour long break, and gave us one of the most memorable stretches in recent Masters history. Birdies on 11 and 12 sent shockwaves through Augusta, and suddenly there was a new contender in town. A four under stretch on 15,16, and 17 stretched his stance over the field to 4 strokes going into Sunday.
In the end that big cushion coming into the final round proved useful for Matsuyama. As we know, closing out a major tournament is that hardest thing there is to do in golf. Hideki used all of his lifelines, but he kept his ahead about water for long enough to win his, and Japan’s first major ever.
Hideki Matsuyama is the first Japanese golfer to win a major!
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA IS THE 2021 MASTERS CHAMPION!!!
What a shot out of the bunker by Matsuyama. A perfect depiction of a nearly flawless four rounds of golf. A two putt wins him The Masters.
Zalatoris was taking swings on the range up until five minutes ago. He will want to see how this ends, just like the rest of us
Matsuyama's approach on 18 finds the bunker, and that walk 18 won't be as enjoyable as he was hoping.
Zalatoris is surely watching from the club house at -9, hoping for a miracle
Matsuyama has parred the 18th everyday this week. And he's on the fairway off the tee
Matsuyama is one hole away from his first major.
Matsuyama from 140 yards on 17 left his wedge in perfect postion to set up a chance for birdie and more importantly will avoid any surprises on the penultimate hole.
Matsuyama bogeys, but Schauffle triples on 16. And a two stroke lead over Zalatoris. Hideki has one arm already in the Green Jacket.
Schauffele's drop from in front of the pond shoots over the green and into the gallery on 16. Matsuyama in prime position to close the tournament out with two holes to go.
That might be the end of the comeback bid. Xander leaves his tee shot on the par three 16 short of the green, and it trickles into the pond. Schauffele's chances are sinking.
Schauffele with four straight birdies!!! What a remarkable run in the late stages of this tournament. Where would he be now if not for that four over stretch on 3, 4 and 5?
Xander almost holed out from the bunker for eagle on 15. It had eyes for the cup, but just drifted low and a tap in birdie closes Matsuyama's lead to two storkes.
Matsuyama's fourth after the drop from the water is left short of the green. He would sign for a bogey right now.
Schauffele put his second on the par five 15th into the sand, but he's in a better positon than Hideki. Some room to close ground for Xander.
Or will it? Matsuyama plunks it in the pond on 15. and we may just have the dramatic finish we have been hoping for all day.
The largest margin of victory at The Masters came back in 1997. Tiger Woods won by 12 strokes at 21 years old. Hideki won't win by that much but it looks like it will be convincing
Schauffele has three straight birdies and is keeping Matsuyama honest with a four shot lead. Xander is at -9 with four holes left. He needs to continue his birdie streak and hope for some help from Augusta National.
It doesn't matter where Will Zalatoris winds up at the end of the round. He has been fantastic all week long. The Masters rookie will be making plenty of headlines for years to come in April at Augusta.
Schauffele and Matusyama birdie 13, but there is still a five stroke difference between first and second. A look at the leaderboard (updated at 5:55 ET)
Schauffele just missed an eagle chance on the par five 13. The birdie takes him to -8, but a red circle for Matsuyama after the drive off the pine trees keeps the cushion at five.
Much to late to matter, but Patrick Reed has birdied his last four holes. He's at -5 and might stake a claim to second place before it's all said and done
Sometimes you have to be good to be lucky. Hideki with a wood off the tee on 13 smacks it into the trunk of a pine tree and the ricochet settles gently on to the second cut right off the fairway
Matsuyama drops his first shot since the first hole of the day on the par 3 twelve after landing his tee shot in the bunker.
For the first time all week we are seeing Augusta getting the best of Will Zalatoris. Two three putts lead to bogey and par on 12 and 13. He's fading away at -7
Tony FInau has already made the highlight reel once today. But this chip on 14 tops his effort from the pines earlier in the round.
Matsuyama with a rare mistake today. His tee shot on the par three 13 finds the bunker. He's got a cushion to make a mistake, but it doesn't seem likely with the way he's been playing
Hideki Matsuyama in command in the midst of Amens Corner
Matsuyama was the low amateur at The Masters exactly 10 years ago yestersday. That day he took home the Silver Cup, today it looks like he will be wearing the Green Jacket on his plane ride back to Japan
Closest contender Zalatoris drops a shot on the par three 12. He missed his five footer for par, and Matsuyama's grasp on the Green Jacket tightens
Hideki on the back nine this week: -7. The rest of the field can't depend on him dropping shots, they are going to have to catch up
A fingernail away from dropping his third birdie in a row. Matsuyama had a chance to put this tournament of ice, but Zalatoris live to fight another hole.
The first of Hideki's two consecutive birdies to close the front and open the back.
Hideki with a birdie on the ninth to go to -13. He is just toying with the greens today at Augusta. His wedge shot fell to 4 feet from the cup. People were doubting his putting coming into the final round, but he's had nothing but tap ins for birdies and pars all day
Matsuyama is finished with this front nine. Here is what the leaderboard looks like (4:53 ET)
Zalatoris drops a shot on 10 and is now five strokes back from Matsuyama who just made birdie to close his front nine.
Rahm's birdie putt on 18 falls a dimple short of the cup. He shoots 66 and will be leader in the club house on Sunday on the same week that he brought his first born child into the world.
Rose closes his first nine at two over for the day. He's at -5 but he is -9 on the back half of Augusta this week.
Matsuyama birdies the par five 8! His second shot with the three wood out of the second cut trickled off the back end of the green, and his chip set up a similar putt to the one he missed on 7. He sinked the birdie and is at -12, leading by three
Spieth goes birdie-birdie to close the front and open back nine. He's at -5 on 11.
Rahm with a pitch of the green at 17 that bangs of the flag stick and his lengthy putt for par keeps him at -6.
Watch out for Zalatoris, he's climbing (4:31 ET)
The chip and putt from Zalatoris to close the front nine bring him to -9
Zalatoris is two shots back going into the ninth. The debutant criss crossed across the fairway, and his third from off the right side of the green left a 10 foot putt which he drills and goes racing to the last hole of the the front half at -9
Hideki missed the three foot birdie putt! Everyone knows that could be his achilles heel today. Will that miss run through his mind the rest of the tournament?
What a shot from Matsuyama who looks like he's on pace to birdie the 7th with a three foot putt. His approach landed softly over the cup and spun back to give our leader a tap in and his second birdie of the day.
Rahm is six under for the day, and sits in a tie for third. He's through 15 and looking to be the leader in the house. But what will his final number be?
Rose with his second birdie of the day, he's one over on the front nine, but again if he makes it to the back nine around even dont be suprised to see him make a run
Matsuyama still in control, as we take another look at the leaderboard: (4:09 ET)
Matsuyama registers a fourth staright par after his birdie putt lips off the rim of the cup. He looks the most solid of anyone out of the gate. He's hanging tight to the lead at -11.
Schauffele's drive on five was buried in the bushes. Had little room for a back swing, and his third still found the rough 40 yards up. He found the bunker from the rough and a double knocks him back to -4
Schauffele with back to back bogeys on three and four. Hideki hanging tough, and Xander seems to be the one feeling the effects of the final pairing on Sunday at The Masters.
Let's take a look at the leaderboard to this point of the final round: (3:49 ET)
Check out Tony Finau using the bunker to check his ball onto the green and save par on 7
Rahm continues to have the round of the day at five under though 13. He may come up a bit short, but what a run he has put in today. Surely a round to tell his new born son about 10 years from now.
Schaufelle birdies on the 3rd, and drifts four back of Matsuyama. Remember that 25 of the last 30 have come from the final pairing.
Matsuyama steady as he goes on three, after a long approach over the green. A delicate chip down the hill sets up a tap in for par. He continues at -11 and leads by three strokes.
Rose responds with a par on the 4th after his bogey on three. It's his first par of the day.
Spieth fading away. A bogey at the 5th has him back to four under for the tournament.
Rahm five footer for birdie on the heels of gorgeous tee shot on the par three 12. He's at -5 and five under for the day
Rose goes bogey-birdie-bogey in his first three holes. The back nine has been his friend this week. At -6 he needs to stay even at least through the nine.
Schauffele with a birdie on 2. He's up to -8. The second hole has been one those in the late groups have been attacking, and consequently scoring low.
Matsuyama found the bunker on his second shot on the par five two, but a percect sand shot from the front bunker gave him a birdie putt to move him back to -11.
Jordan Spieth was so unfortunate not to birdie the par three fourth. He is still at -5. Six under would have looked a lot better going into the fifth.
Zalatoris with a bogey on the short par four 3rd, after his wedge overshoots the green, and a touchy downhill putt that blows past the hole. In the first three holes Zalatoris has looked shakey off the fairway which is where he has thrived all week. He is still one under on the day at -8 for the tournament.
Connors, Leishman, and Rose all birdie the par five second. They are all -7, and chasing Matsuyama and Zalatoris who just had a bogey five on the 3rd
Zalatoris with a second consecutive birdie to start his day. This one on the par five 2nd. A crisp drive down the center, his second found the sand, but a great recovery left him with a short birdie has the Masters rookie in second place on Sunday
MATSUYAMA bogeys the first as well!!! He drove his opening shot into the junk on the right side. Had to lay up with his second and his chip trickeled left of the hole down the front side hill of the first green and a two putt secures a first hole square.
Rose and Leishman, in the same group, both bogey the first dropping them to -6 for the tournament. Rose spent the last five holes of yesterday surviving, but starts today off one over. Leishman was incredibly consistant yesterday with just two bogeys all day. He's already got one after the first.
What a birdie for Spieth! A remarkable chip after going for the green in two. It fell wide of the putting surface, but his wedge was true, as it has been all week long. A four on the 2nd takes him back to -5.
Connors with a par on his opening hole on Sunday at Augusta. He gave us some spectaclar moments yesterday, does he have any tricks up his sleeve today? He came into today at -6.
Will Zalatoris with a birdie on the par five first! His drive found the left rough, but his approach found the middle of the green, and The Masters debutant drained the long putt to take him to sole possesion of second place at -8. This kid has showed nevers of steal all week long.
Jon Rahm with a birdie on the par five 8 after driving into the pines. Had a clear look, but laid up with his second and a perfect pitch set up a birdie butt to get him to -4.
Spieth misses his par putt on one, and drops a shot on the opening hole. Both he and Harman are are at -4 through the first hole.
Marc Harman starts his day with a par. He remains at -4.
25 of the last 30 Masters Champions have come from the final pairing. Good news for Matsuyama and Schauffele.
Spieth's Sunday round is under way. He drove into the light rough on the left side of the fairway. His approach was a touch long, and he'll have to go up and down with a long chip form across the green.
Rahm remains at -3 with four straight pars since his eagle on the second.
Bryson DeChambeau just stuck a wedge from 160 to reach the green in two. He's got an eagle opp that would take him to +3 on the tournament.
Six pairings are set to tee off in the next 30 minutes:
1:50 p.m. -- Si Woo Kim, Bernd Wiesberger
2 p.m. -- Tony Finau, Robert MacIntyre
2:10 p.m. -- Jordan Spieth, Brian Harman
2:20 p.m. -- Will Zalatoris, Corey Conners
2:30 p.m. -- Marc Leishman, Justin Rose
2:40 p.m. -- Hideki Matsuyama, Xander Schauffele
Phil is one under after a biridie on the 2nd.
The leaderboard so far. The final pairings are getting ready to tee off in the next 40 minutes.
Horschel with a comedy of errors on 13, he scores a snowman on the par 5. His drive found the water, and like he did yesterday, kicks his shoes off got his feet wet. This time was lucky to escape the creek, but found the thick stuff five yards ahead. After trying to clear the cabage, he had to take a drop after deeming it impossible to play from the thich stuff. A snowman was a decent score all things considered.
Many, including myself, wondered what Hideki Matsuyama did during the weather delay on Saturday to spark his incendiary run. Turns out, he went to his car, taking shelter from the rain, and played games on his phone.
Rahm with a couple pars after a birdie-eagle start. He remains at -3
Masters Final Round: headlines
- Matsuyama with a four storke cushion entering the Sunday
- Justing Rose one of four that sit 4 strokes back at -7
- Bright skies and light winds expected all Sunday long
- Fleetwood hits the flag stick for nearly his second ace of the week (watch here)
Check out our Masters articles:
Here's and updated look at the leaderboard, with Rahm making early moves in the first few holes. He is the only one in action on the board at the moment
Tommy Fleetwood bangs it off the flag stick on the par three 6. It could have been his second ace this week after a first round hole-in-one on 16.
Rahm WITH AN EAGLE ON TWO!!! Where has this been all week? He is three under through two holes. Smacked a drive down the middle of the favorite. Reached the dance floor in two with a longer roller off the front end of the green, and drills the downhill putt for the double circle on two.
There hasn't been a Masters winner to enter Sunday outside the Top 5 since Nick Faldo in the 80s.
Both Matsuyama and Rose have had rounds of 65 this week. Does anyone in the pack have a seven under Sunday to track down Hideki and claim the Green Jacket?
Of those who have already teed off today, only eight are under par on their round today.
Jon Rahm is one under through one. The Spaniard has had a calm week after becoming a first time father earlier in the week. He almost holed his approach as the back spin almost doinked off the flag and dropped. A tap in for birdie has his Sunday off to nice start after starting on today at even par.
Matt Wallace with an eagle on 2, he is the only one in action on this final round in red numbers so far. He's -1 for the tournamnet.
One of the few bright spots for Adam Scott in the entire week. A fantastic read from the fringe, with a foot nearly in the bunker. He's +12 after that birdie.
Four players at -7. Schauffele, Leishman, Rose, and Zalatoris all trail Hideki by four strokes.
Early highlight for Tyrrell Hatton as he chips in from the fringe on 6
Here's a look at the leaderboard, nothing will change on that screen until around 2 pm ET unless there is a big run from someone bottom of the board makes a BIG run
There are only five players under par to this point today. Matt Jones, Morikawa, Poulter, English and Kokrak are the only ones under par. I know it's early, but that's a daunting sign for those teeing off later in the day.
Xander Schauffele will join Hideki Matsuyama in the final pairing of this Sunday. They will tee off at 2:40 ET and Matsuyama with a four stroke cushion will have the eyes of the world upon him on each and every stroke after shooting one of the best rounds in recent Masters history yesterday
Our Sunday at The Masters started at 10 am with Adam Scott and Jim Herman teeing off in the first group of the day. They are on the 12th hole, and those who are hovering around even for the tournament are getting geared to start their Sunday if the next hour.
Augusta Masters 2021: Final day: welcome
Hello everyone and welcome to day four The Masters. We are here in Augusta with live updates and analysis of all the action coming from Sunday's final round.
Hideki Matsuyama was our overnight leader as we head into the final day of action with thunderstorms earlier interrupting the action at Augusta.
Stay tuned for live stroke-by-stroke coverage on AS English and discover who will wear the green jacket at the end of the final round.