As the 2023 Masters Tournament came to an end, golf enthusiasts across the world were eager to find out who emerged as the winner of one of the most prestigious golf events in the world.
The Masters Tournament, which takes place annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, attracts the top golfers worldwide and is known for its stunning greenery and challenging course.
The 2023 tournament was no exception, with golfers displaying their skills and determination over the four-day event. So, without further ado, let’s find out who won the Masters 2023 and secured their place in the history books with Lacoon now.
Who Won the Masters 2023?
Jon Rahm, a two-time major champion, has won the 2023 Masters, capturing his first green jacket. Rahm’s victory at Augusta National Golf Club is a testament to his strong, steady, and complete performance as he rallied from four strokes down on Sunday.
Previously winning the 2021 U.S. Open, Rahm is now the fourth Spanish golfer to win the Masters, joining Sergio Garcia (2017), José María Olazábal (1994, 1999), and the legendary Seve Ballesteros (1980, 1983).
Rahm’s win came on what would have been Ballesteros’ 66th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his second Masters win.
Reflecting on the significance of his win, Rahm said, “History of the game is a big part of why I play and one of the reasons why I play, and Seve being one of them. For me to get it done on the 40th anniversary of his win, his birthday, on Easter Sunday, it’s incredibly meaningful.
And to finish it off the way that I did — an unusual par, very much a Seve par — it was, in a non-purposeful way, a testament to him. I know he was pulling for me today, and it was a great Sunday.”
Rahm’s victory also placed him in the record books as only the third golfer to win the Masters by four shots despite not leading entering the final round, joining Ballesteros (1983) and Nick Faldo (1996).
Additionally, he is the first European player ever to win a Masters and U.S. Open in their career.
Rahm stated, “I find it hard to believe that I’m the first one. If there’s anything better than accomplishing something like this, it’s making history.”
This Masters victory marks the 28-year-old Rahm’s fourth win on the PGA Tour this year, with previous 2023 victories at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, The American Express, and the Genesis Invitational.
Though Rahm had been experiencing some inconsistencies in recent weeks, he was clearly on his game at Augusta National.
Scores And Results From this year’s tournament at Augusta National
Rahm began Sunday sitting four strokes back of 42-hole leader Brooks Koepka.
However, he managed to chip away at his deficit steadily, eventually finishing 12 under, four strokes clear of Kopeka (-8), who tied for second place with a resurgent 52-year-old Phil Mickelson.
Discussing his strategy, Rahm said, “The goal is never to come back to the rest of the field — to have them chase you — knowing that if I could make a few birdies and pars especially on the back nine, it would be difficult for somebody to catch up.”
Koepka, who had gone 23 holes without making a single birdie, ultimately finished with a final-round 75, allowing Rahm to increase his aggressiveness and take the lead.
Despite his disappointing finish, Koepka’s presence at the major championships adds to the game’s storylines and context.
Phil Mickelson’s performance at Augusta was another highlight, as he became the oldest player to finish inside the top five. His final-round 65 was the lowest by anyone over 50 in Masters history.
Mickelson said, “I certainly have a lot of gratitude to be able to be here, be part of this tournament, play well, play good golf and take advantage of a unique opportunity that I have, which is to play golf at a very high level at a later stage in life.”
Finally, Jordan Spieth’s impressive performance at the Masters should not go unnoticed. The 2015 champion finished at 7 under par, securing a tie for fourth place.
Although he did not claim his second green jacket, Spieth’s final-round 66 demonstrated his exceptional abilities around Augusta National. He scored nine birdies, totaling 23 over the course of the entire week.
Spieth’s ability to hole putts when needed was particularly encouraging. While some birdie bids narrowly missed on holes 12 and 13, he connected on must-make putts from holes 14 to 17.
Unfortunately, a wayward drive and a last-second birdie from Mickelson unraveled his Masters chances.
Despite this, Spieth became the first player since Tom Watson in 1983 to have six top-five finishes in his first 10 career starts at the Masters.
Rahm’s win at the 2023 Masters is a testament to his determination, skill, and love for the history of the game.
As he donned the green jacket, he joined an elite group of Spanish golfers and etched his name in the annals of golf history.
Rahm’s victory also demonstrates the depth of talent on the PGA Tour, with golfers like Koepka, Mickelson, and Spieth providing thrilling competition.
Masters 2023: Final results
- Jon Rahm: -12
- Brooks Koepka: -8
- Phil Mickelson: -8
- Russell Henley: -7
- Patrick Reed: -7
- Jordan Spieth: -7
- Viktor Hovland: -6
- Cameron Young: -6
- Sahith Theegala: -5
- Matt Fitzpatrick: -4
- Collin Morikawa: -4
- Xander Schauffele: -4
- Scottie Scheffler: -4
- Patrick Cantlay: -3
- Gary Woodland: -3
- Samuel Bennett: -2
- Sungjae Im: -2
- Joo-hyung Kim: -2
- Shane Lowry: -2
- Hideki Matsuyama: -2
- Joaquin Niemann: -2
- Justin Rose: -2
Conclusion
Looking ahead, the 2023 Masters has set the stage for an exciting year in golf. With Rahm’s newfound momentum, Koepka’s potential resurgence, Mickelson’s age-defying performance, and Spieth’s return to form, the stage is set for more nail-biting showdowns and unforgettable moments in the world of golf.
In the end, Jon Rahm’s victory at the 2023 Masters is a story of perseverance, skill, and the importance of history in the game of golf. As he continues his already impressive career, Rahm has proven that he has the talent and the drive to make his mark on the sport for years to come.
