"One of the epic performances in the annals of the sport" is how CBS network television broadcaster Jim Nantz described the achievement of American golfer Jordan Spieth after he sank his final putt Sunday to win The Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Only 21 years old, Spieth set a number of records in winning his first major championship, finishing with a record tying 18-under-par 270, four shots ahead of compatriot Phil Mickelson and South African Justin Rose.
Spieth became the youngest-ever 18-hole leader after Thursday's first round. On Friday, he broke the 36-hole record with a 14-under-par 130 after two rounds. He set the 54-hole scoring record Saturday, finishing the third round at 16-under-par 200. On Sunday, he broke the record for the number of birdies made in the four rounds at The Masters with 28, three more than the previous mark achieved by Mickelson in 2001.
After his victory, Spieth said he did not sleep well before the final round and was more nervous than he thought he would be.
"It was the most incredible week of my life. This is the greatest it gets in our sport. To make those putts and hear those roars (from the crowd) was remarkable."
Early during Sunday's broadcast, CBS showed video of Spieth as a little boy saying he wanted one day to win The Masters.
At the rewards presentation, he said he will be excited to come back next year to defend his title, and hopes to be ready for it.
Spieth, who shot a two-under-par 70 in the final round, now shares the lowest ever Masters total score of 18-under-par with Tiger Woods. Only a bogie on the 18th hole Sunday kept Spieth from breaking the record.
Woods was the youngest to win The Masters in 1997 at 21 years 3 months. Spieth is now the second youngest at 21 years 9 months. Last year, in his first appearance at Augusta, he came close to becoming the youngest winner, but had to settle for second.
Spieth is only the fifth golfer to win the prestigious event by leading after every round. The last wire-to-wire Masters winner was American Raymond Floyd back in 1976.
