ORLANDO, Fla. – For many, the endearing image from last year’s Masters isn’t Danny Willett slipping the coveted green jacket over his shoulders. Instead, it’s Jordan Spieth standing slump shouldered on the banks of Rae’s Creek.
With nine holes to play last year at Augusta National, Spieth was five strokes clear of the field and cruising to his second Masters title when things began to go sideways. He bogeyed the 10th and 11th holes before dropping two shots in the water at the par-3 12th hole.
Willett was walking to the 16th tee when he realized what had happened, and the Englishman closed out a bogey-free 67 for a three-stroke victory. On Tuesday, Willett said he’s never spoken to Spieth about what happened on Sunday at Augusta National.
“Obviously it wouldn’t be in my nature to bring it up. It’s not my place. If he wanted to talk about it, he didn’t; why would you?” Willett said. “I’m pretty sure it was a very difficult time for him, as great of a time as it was for me.”
Willett said he was impressed with how Spieth handled the loss, and pointed out that he’s played well since that Sunday last April, having won three times around the globe since.
“He really is one of the classiest guys out there in terms of that, especially at his age, it’s quite astounding really, in terms of how well he took it and how everything was,” Willett said. “It would have affected a few guys but because of the class of guy and class of player, he’s kept moving forward with his game nicely.”
