Immelman Snatches 2008 Masters - Contenders Fall by the Wayside.

Trevor Immelman survived a vicious Augusta National to remain the last man standing in the 2008 Masters. The South African carved a tough 75 today to finish three clear of Tiger Woods. Wood's putter failed him on the back nine and prevented a patented charge. Truth be told, his putter was missing all week. The other two realistic challengers when the day began, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Flesch, ballooned to 77 and 78 respectively. Snedeker finished tied for 3rd with Stewart Cink who shot even par and Flesch finished T5 with Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson, both of whom shot level par for the final round.

The wind wreaked havoc with everyone, but truth be told, it was missed putts that doomed the challengers. Woods missed a five footer on 15 for birdie and made no other putts of consequence other than one bomb on the back nine. Immelman had the luxury of a six shot cushion that allowed him to handle a double bogey five on the 16th hole.

Though I've never met him, Trevor seems like a fine young man and very worthy of a green jacket. He does have a great swing and it'll be fun to see if this victory launches his career.

At some 7,500 yards, Augusta National is the real winner. Especially when you throw in some wind, ice the greens, and have the typically treacherous Sunday pin placements. It's a wonderful tournament to watch. I just wish they had a bigger, better field.

Average Golfer observation.........Jim Nantz and Ian Baker-Finch had syrup falling out of their mouths today. The suck ups were tough to handle. Nantz for Augusta National and Baker-Finch for Nick Faldo. Here's a sample from Baker-Finch;

"That putt breaks both ways, uphill and downhill twice, just like the one you had in '89, right Nick?"
or........"He needs to hit a little held off cut-hook and land it exactly 3.5 paces on the green and let it feed back to the hole off that small mound like you did in '86, right Nick?"
More Feherty, More Feherty !

Til' next,