The big news was meant to be about Tiger’s return to the big time, only for him to struggle like many others on magnificent Augusta course. Halfway leader, thanks to birdieing all the par 5s on Thursday and Friday, was Patrick Reed, few peoples fancy. With the softer greens and easier pin positions, the patrons got their birdie and eagle fest they had been waiting for. Reed continued to solidify his lead with eagles on both back nine par 5s, the course clearly suiting his eye and shot shape. Hot on his heels with a third round 65 was Rory trying to make history and become the only the 6th player to win all four Major titles.

Rory was paired with Reed in the final two ball on Sunday which amazingly brought more first tee cheers for Rory than the home player! By now some of the chasing pack were already making their move for the green jacket, the leader, perhaps thinking it was a two horse race started shakily off the first tee. Rory reduced the lead to two and with a better putt on just the 2nd green he could have been tied. For Rory, it was an uphill struggle from then on leaving Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth to get within touching distance only to come up just short.

Spieth had played brilliantly on Sunday until the last when even he couldn`t thread the needle up the last and hit a tree leaving him over 250 yards from the green. He still managed to have a 5 footer for par but missed. The lowest round of the day wasn't going to be enough for the animated Texan. Fowler made a birdie on 18 to finish 2nd and his highest ever in The Masters. Reed played the last perfectly under the highest tension. Through the trees into the fairway, 30 feet behind the hole unlucky not to roll back and 2 putts to claim his first Major and the green jacket. Not being in racing snake shape, it could be interesting what he serves up at the Champions dinner next year?

What of Rory? All week the "greats" had him to win. Looked like it would be a battle between him and Reed for the title before Sundays play started. But history and tension can do funny things to even the best heads. His tee shot was so wide up the first and after missing that putt on number 2 the tension just increased. His normally infallible driving was average at best and personally no one mentioned it from the broadcasts I heard, Rory must now see the benefit of an experienced caddie, not a best friend on the bag.

How can he be advised when under the pump as he was Sunday to perhaps calm down, walk slower or bounce strategy off.? Rory looked like a man on his own. He is clearly good enough to make his own decisions but the small edge of an experienced bagman might have made all the difference and history could well have been different. It wouldn`t surprise me if the next announcement for Rory professionally is a caddie change.