Rory McIlroy was about to carve out a spot in history, joining a list of the youngest Masters winners in history. Instead, he landed on another one. And it’s not the one he — or anyone else — wanted.
McIlroy now will be mentioned among the biggest collapses in the history of the Masters. In fact, a strong case could be made that his Sunday meltdown belongs in the top five of all-time disasters.
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Here’s his competition:
Greg Norman (1996) » He set the standard in a career defined by near-misses or tragic defeats. Norman entered Sunday’s finale with a six-stroke lead — the largest margin in tournament history. But he shot a 78 while Nick Faldo shot a 67 to blow past him. It was so bad that Faldo barely celebrated his win on the final hole. Instead he embraced Norman and told him, “I’m sorry.”
Ed Sneed (1979) » He held a five-shot lead entering the final round. And Sneed led by three with three holes remaining. Safe win, right? Nope. Not when you bogey three straight holes. He lost to Fuzzy Zoeller in sudden death. How appropriate.
Ken Venturi (1954) » Venturi was hoping to become the first amateur to win the Masters. A four-shot lead after three rounds gave him a chance. But windy conditions — and probably a case of nerves — caused him to shoot a final-round 80 as Jack Burke Jr. won the green jacket.
Hoch’s Choke (1989) » That’s the nickname that came out of Scott Hoch‘s missed 30-inch putt in sudden death in 1989. He looked like a weekend duffer smacking it four feet past the cup. Guess who benefitted? Nick Faldo.
