AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tyrell Hatton can’t wait to see his soon-to-be-born daughter in her white Masters coveralls at Augusta National next year.
That possibility became a reality on Sunday, as Hatton was one of several players to receive an automatic invitation to next year’s Masters if they finish within the top 12 (including ties).
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“My wife is giving birth in six weeks and I was thinking how great it would be to come back next year. My daughter is almost 11 months old,” Hatton said. He shot a 66, the same score he shot on Friday, and finished tied for third at 10-under 278.
Players often dress their children in traditional caddy costumes in preparation for the par-3 contest the night before the tournament.
“We obviously see other dads and their families, but the little kids in boiler suits are so cute,” Hutton said. “Oh, I wanted to experience that. Yeah, it definitely motivated me to try to get a birdie and I was happy to do it. Oh, it was awesome.”
Max Homa, Jake Knapp and Sam Barnes also earned invites for next year.
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Homa, who finished in a tie for ninth place, four strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy, said, “I’m really proud of my golf. I was smart.”
Morikawa plays through injury
Collin Morikawa finished tied for seventh at 9-under 279, despite dealing with a back injury and cramps.
Morikawa withdrew from The Players Championship after one hole last month due to back pain. He wasn’t in top shape for the Masters, shooting a 74 in the first round. He then played three consecutive rounds in the ’60s, but played with discomfort that clearly affected his swing.
“Believe me, this will be one of the best tournaments forever,” Morikawa said. “I remember this for many reasons, but more than anything, it’s how strong your mind is that you can go out there and convince yourself that everything is going to be okay.”
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Morikawa had five straight birdies on Sunday’s back nine, posting a 68 for the second straight year.
Hovland slipped in the standings on Sunday, but could have been better.
Viktor Hovland birdied seven of his first 13 holes Sunday and at one point threatened a course record 63, but settled for a 67.
“I think some of the pins are up for grabs, and… obviously the wind is a little different, so some of the holes were easier to play,” Hovland said. “Maybe some of the other holes were a little tougher.”
Nick Price shot 63 in 1986, followed by Greg Norman 10 years later. No one has matched this record since then, with the lowest final round score being a 64.
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Hovland was at 7 under and still had good birdie opportunities on the 15th and 16th. In fact, I got a birdie on the par-3 16th, but only after my second shot on the par-5 15th went past the green, down the hill, and into the water at the 16th. This double bogey almost ended his record, and he finished the week at 4 under after bogeying the 18th.
Hovland has played three consecutive rounds under par after shooting a 75 on Thursday.
Lee scores 10 and shoots 80.
Hao Tong Li’s final pass through Amen Corner was a huge failure.
Lee was 7 under for the tournament after 11 holes Sunday. Although his chances of winning were slim, he was at least in a position to finish solidly. He then hit a triple bogey on the par-3 12th and a 10 on the par-5 15th.
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The tee shot on No. 12 hit the bank in front of the green and rolled down into Ray’s Creek. After the penalty drop, his next shot hit the green but spun back into the water. He had to putt from outside the green to make the 6th.
The 13th hole was somehow worse. After a failed drive, he hooked his second shot into the brush to the left of the creek that runs to the left of the hole. It took him two tries to get to the back of the green and a long wait for his playing partner, No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, before his putt went over the hole and into the creek in front of the green.
When he finally holed out on the 10th hole, he threw his arms in the air to show off his victory. Lee shot an 80 after playing the first three rounds under par and finishing tied for 38th place.
1-2 finish between world No. 2 and No. 1
McIlroy and Scheffler finished with one win and two losses at the Masters, making them the first two top players in the world to finish in the top two at a major tournament since McIlroy and Scheffler, who were ranked No. 1 in the world at the time. 1 Tiger Woods defeated Phil Mickelson at the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.
Scheffler is No. 1 in the rankings, and McIlroy is No. 2.
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AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
