The Masters provides the drama we are looking for year after year, and it did it again this last weekend. Perfect warm, dry weather made the course very firm and fast. Mix in the patented swirling winds, and the cream rose to the top for precision ball striking, greenside shots that had to land in a thimble, and putts that had to be on the exact line to get to the bottom of the cup. This tournament was defined by the early part of the second nine on Sunday in the famed Amen Corner, and this is where I think The Masters turned for the eventual winner Rory McIlroy.

With Justin Rose making a move and in the lead by two shots at the turn, this was looking like Rose was poised to seal the deal for a green jacket. With a number of lurking players and the roars of Augusta beginning to be heard, it was looking to be Justin’s time. A brief lead-up to the turning point of the round, in my opinion: Rose birding 7, 8, and 9 was massive as momentum was building. Birding the 9th hole and walking to the 10th tee feeling 10 feet tall!

A great drive on 10 to leave 179 yards. A shot on the green to 32 feet away. From there the quick putt got rolling 4 feet away from the hole. A length demanding attention, Rose holes it. That’s a great save from four feet in that position after birding the last three holes.

11th hole

Keeping the momentum rolling, he sends a drive on 11 right down the middle, 340 yards. Another big drive to keep the momentum going as he enters Amen Corner. 

(Photo via Masters.com)

With 192 yards left in 11, this is the first crack in the armor for this momentum swing. Some indecision on the club selection and the wind. Swirling winds and decisions on club choice, mixed with contention and adrenaline. Creating our love for decisions in competition. Rose from 192 yards opted for the 6 iron for the back middle left hole location. Given the circumstances, it may seem like a lot of club, but the trajectory of a 6 iron is more favorable in the swirling winds than a 7-iron that could be taken away from the wind.

Subconsciously, he may have known the 6-iron is too much club but a safer play. Compared with choosing less club and possibly pulling it into the pond with 7-iron. 6-iron was the club, and I just got out in front of it on the downswing, creating the shot to go right of the green. A tricky up-and-down remained from 34 yards, with the green sloping away from Rose and the firm conditions. Rose hit to 15 feet and two-putted for bogey. Completely understandable with the miss to the right. Somewhat surprising with the bogey on 11 just because Rose was so locked in the last four holes. 

12th Hole

This sets up number 12, Golden Bell. Rose appeared to slightly pull his tee shot from 160 yards. He was pin high but 19 yards away to the left of the green. With players mentioning chip shots and pitches around the green into the grain of the grass, this showed here as Rose advanced the ball just a number of feet for his second shot, not reaching the green. Faced with his 3rd shot now 11 yards away, Rose putted off to the green to 5 feet away. Only a putt given to players needing an ego boost with their handicap, Rose made the 5-footer. A large putt in its own right. Bogey on 11 and bogey on 12. Deflating after such a great stretch from holes 7-10, but not a deal breaker by any means for a chance at a green jacket.

Rose hit a booming drive 305 yards on 13, down the left side, which is higher risk, but after going bogey-bogey, it was warranted. Leaving 197 yards into the par 5, it was the green light special. Rose fired his mid-iron right at the flag as it bounded by the hole, it rested 30 feet past the hole with a downhill putt remaining. The putt Rose hit had plenty of pace and too much, in fact, for a tap-in. It went eight feet by the hole with his attempt for an eagle. His attempt for birdie was a slight pull and a tap-in for par was had.

To me, this is where the wind was out of the sails for Rose. A great stretch of golf, rounding out the first 9, good two-putt par save on the 10th green, bogeying 11 and 12 in the fashion he did, followed by a three-putt par on 13. The psychology of plugging away, in the lead, and gaining ground on the field, only to sputter and then lose ground on the field. Bogey on 11 is understandable, but the bogey on 12 and three-putt par on 13 really looked to cause the damage. It was a great bounce back on 13 with the fantastic drive and second shot, but the damage was done on the putting green.

Rory McIlroy

Contrast with Rory McIlroy, with birdies on 7 and 8. Making par on 9 through 11. Then the dagger on 12. Back right hole location, taking on the pin. With a key decision waiting for the correct wind, Rory, with full commitment, started his ball on line with the right edge of the bunker on 12 with a Hogan fade landing on the green and releasing towards the hole resting 7 feet from the cup. Rory makes the putt center cut and moves onto the 13th tee. Launching his driver 350 yards to the right side of the upper fairway, he was left with 183 yards. His iron shot went long left of the green. Green side from 23 yards, he got the ball below the hole 11 feet away. In a similar place where Rose missed an 8-footer two groups prior, Rory made this 11-footer on the left side of the cup. 

Rory walks with his familiar bounce in his step to the 14th with momentum, as Rose continues the second 9 looking for a spark to get back in the mix.

It is such a fine line of a clear decision and execution of a shot, or a putt lipping in or lipping out. Amen Corner was the difference maker to me this last Sunday, with the 12th hole being the tipping point for two players in contention. Rory McIllory goes on to seal the deal, and Justin Rose finished tied for third on the doorstep of victory at Augusta once again. 

• All photos via themasters.com and Augusta National’s shot tracking technology.